Britannia antiqua illustrata, or, The antiquities of ancient Britain derived from the Phœenicians, wherein the original trade of this island is discovered, the names of places, offices, dignities, as likewise the idolatry, language and customs of the p by Aylett Sammes ...

THE HEPTARCHY OF THE SAXONS IN BRITAIN.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

THE KINGDOM OF KENT

Contained

KENT.

KINGS, ...Hengist. Oeric, alias ...Oisc. ...Octa. ...Ermiric, ...Ethelbert. ...Eadbald. ...Ercombert. ...Egbert.

...Lothair. ...Edric. ...Wigtred. ...Edbert. ...Ethelbert the Second. ...Alric. ...Ethelbert the Third. ...Cuthred. ...Baldred.

[illustration]

HENGIST.

TO * 1.1 resume the History where it broke off, HENGIST having given his Daughter to VORTIGERN King of Britain, and in Reward for her received the whole Country of Kent by donation, began now to lay the foundation of a Saxon Monarchy in that part of the * 1.2 Island: By gaining so fair and large Possessions, as Kent, so opportune for Navigation, lying nearest to the Con∣tinent and open in its Ports, he had means to receive, and room to encourage any new Adventurers he should have occasion to invite over.

Besides these great advantages of Territory by near alliance to the Crown, he gained these main points, namely, a trust and confidence in the King, and consequent∣ly a certain dependance of the British Nobility upon him; He had now a kind of Authority at Court, and carried a stroke in their choicest Councels; if at any time jealousies of him arose, they were either stifled by a temporizing remembrance of his good Services, or over-awed by his alliance and interest with the King. Such who had the wit to disern, or the honesty to give warning of his growing Ambition, were looked upon as disaffected to the Government, and Persons dissatisfied with the pre∣sent management of Affairs; And what added fewel to these Jealousies, was, that Vortigern himself was but an Usurper, and Ambrose the Lawful Prince kept out by violence, so that continually looking on that side from whence he expected most danger, he was blind to the designs and contrivances of Hengist, and lay open to all his encroachments. Add to this, that Vortigern, whether by Nature so framed, or by Custome changed after his advancement to the license of a Scepter, was a slothful and amorous Prince, uneasie to business, and restless, saving only in his delightful pleasures.

Hengist on the other hand, watchful and contriving, and one who well knew how to make the best use of those fair opportunities which were given him; so that the one continually losing, the other insensibly gaining; the one never failing in his demands, the other not daring to deny any thing, the Saxons got such firm rooting at last, that the hands that planted them were not able to pluck them up, when they most desired it. And now Hengist being well warm in his Principality of Kent, obtains leave of the King to call over Octa and Ebissa, his own, and Brother's Son, alledging, that if Lands were given them in the North, they might be as a Bulwark and Fence against the incursions of the Scots and Picts; They therefore sayling as far as the Orcades, as some write, with five thousand Men, and all along curbing the insolencies of those Nations, at last seated themselves on that part of the Island which is now called Northumberland. Affairs stated in this posture, and the Island lying open at both ends to receive fresh supplies of Saxons, Hengist thought it now or never high time to strike for the whole Empire; he wanted not pretences for a quarrel, alledging first, that his Souldiers pay was run much in arrear, which being advanced to them, he then saies plainly, that their wages was not proportionable to their service, and requires an augmentation, otherwise threatens open War.

Whilst the British Councels pause what Answer to return to these sudden de∣mands, He who desired not so much to be satisfied in that point, as to gain occasion of quarrelling, immediately takes hold of their deliberating for a positive denial, and entring into League with the Scots and Picts, issuing out of Kent before any opposition could be made, he laies waste the whole Country as far as the Western Sea.

Now begun the Britains to feel the dismal effects of forreign Succours; they had not now their old Enemies alone to deal with, but a Nation far more experienced in War; and what was more Pagan and Barbarous, whole Towns and Colonies were overturned, not as in fair War, where the Conqueror is contented with confession of Victory, but as it were to the utter extirpating of the Inhabitants, desolation was heapt upon desolation, Temples and Palaces, Priest and People lay buried in the wide Ruines of their Country. And yet these heavy Judgments, to the shame be it spoken of a stupid and sinful Nation, were not more deplorable, saith Gildas, than justly deserved. As for Vortigern himself, he was so far from being wakened by these Calamities, that to the scandal of his Christian Profession he committed Incest with his own Daughter, a sin scarcely named among the Gentiles; for which being censured in a Councel by the advice of the Peers, he retired to a strong Castle which he had built in Radnorshire, leaving the management of Affairs to his Son Vortimer, whom for his active courage and vertuous behaviour the Britains generally chose for their Leader.

This Prince in all likelyhood, we may gather, had already given good proofs of his Conduct, in repulsing the Saxons during the Government of his Father; for al∣though Hengist at first had made a sudden inroad, and entred the Country as far as the western Coasts; yet we find that not long after, even in Vortigern's time, he was fought with in Kent and Tanet, his old Possessions; and forced to dispute his ground upon the edge of the Sea.

The Ancient Annals of the Saxons write thus:

Hengist and Horsa, in the year 455, fought against Vortigern at Eglesthrip now Aylsford in Kent, where Horsa was * 1.3 slain, leaving his name to Horsted, the place of his Burial.

But it seems in this Battel the Saxons had a clear Victory, though much allayed by the death of that Prince. For now Hengist, saith the same Annals, assumed the Title of King, and Peo∣pled Kent with Jutes, who about that time held the Isle of Wight, and part of Hampshire adjoyning to it: here the Jutes are mistaken for Vites.

Two years after, Hengist and his Son at a place called Creganford, or Craford, slew four thousand of the Britains, and four of their chief Commanders, forcing the rest to quit Kent, and flie in great disorder to London: And although this blow seemed * 1.4 the total loss of that Country, yet eight years afterwards we find the Britains again pressing hard upon them, giving them Battel as far as the Isle of Tanet, at a place called † 1.5 Wippeds fleet; but success was not answerable to their Spirit, for though they fought it to the death of twelve of their Princes, yet the Saxons carried the day, losing Wepped only an Earl of theirs who left his Name to the field he fell in.

Another Battel was fought, but the place not mentioned, wherein the Britains are said to be so totally routed, that flying in great confusion they left their whole Bag∣gage to the spoil of their Enemies. These, and many other Skirmishes happened in the space of twenty years, saith Malmesbury; in which may be observed, that the Britains though worsted, according to these Saxon Relations, yet seem to have been alwaies the Aggressors, seeking out their Enemy rather than sought for, as appears from the places wherein they fought, being either in the heart of Kent, or further in the Isle of Tanet.

These vigorous Attempts to redeem the liberty of a sinking Nation, though performed before the Resignation of Vortigern, yet seem to derive nothing from him saving the ill success alone; The life and spirit by which they were acted seemed to flow from Vortimer, the miscarrlages from that secret, but resistless influence which inseparably attends an Impotent Government. And the event proved accordingly, for instead of Vortigern, a lustful and giddy Prince, whom neither years, or the neglect of Subjects could make apprehensive, Vortimer being advanced to the Crown a, new scene of things immediately appeared. Thrice he drove the Saxons and besieged them in the Isle of Tanet, and though they were continually relieved with fresh supplies from the Continent, yet as often as they broke in he repulsed them with loss.

In four Battels, whereof three are named, he utterly defeated them; the first on the River Darwent, the second at Episford, where, Ninnius saith, Horsa was slain; and on Vortimer's side, his Brothern Catigern: The third in a field by Stonar, then called Lapis Tituli in Tanet, where he beat them into their Ships, glad to have so escaped, and not venturing to return for five years after; thus Ninnius. And indeed Gildas writes of the departure of the Saxons much about this time, during which space Vortimer dying poysoned, as some write, by the contrivance of Rowena, com∣manded they should lay his Body in the Port of Stonar, perswaded that his Bones lying there, would be a sufficient terrour to his Enemies for ever landing in that place, imitating herein (if not the Author for him) the like conceit of Scipio Afri∣canus, who would have his Tomb set against Africa, to fright the Carthaginians from so much as looking towards the Italian shores. The Britains, saith Ninnius, (who makes a serious business of it) neglecting his Orders, buried him at Lincoln.

The Son being dead, the Father is again restored to the Crown, whether by the interest and prevalency of his Party is uncertain, or upon promises of amendment, by Publick Election, there being none remaining of that Family since the death of his two Sons, Vortimer and Catigern, on whom to confirm the Royal dignity. It should seem that the British Nobility were too deeply engaged in the guilt of Vortigern's usurpation, for to think of restoring their lawful Prince; it usually happening in publick Rebellions generally countenanced, that they who are involved in the Treason, choose rather to hazard the lust and tyranny of an Usurper, than by con∣fession of Error to rely on the mercy and clemency of the Injured.

Hengist advised of this sudden change of affairs in Britain, not to slip so favou∣rable an occasion of recovering his lost fortunes, with all speed raises new Forces and returns. But it seems the Britains, during his absence, as may be gathered, had re∣venged themselves on those he left behind him, and we read of many Skirmishes, and one set Battel fought between them, wherein the Saxons alwaies came by the worst. Hengist therefore at his landing, finding his affairs upon the Island in a lower con∣condition than he expected, and not so able to make open War, hath recourse to his old tricks of Treaty and Friendship; rid of his grand Opposer, he knew well e∣nough how to manage his Interest with Vortigern, whom he had obnoxious to him by ancient Leagues and long Affinity; Proposing therefore nothing but terms of Kindness and Amity, and pretending that former Breaches sprung from the Ambition of Vortimer and a Court-faction, he easily works with the King, especially instigated by his Wife, and not discouraged by his Peers, to give him a Personal treaty, not doubting but by such an Interview, all jealousies might be removed, differences com∣posed, and a better understanding for the future settled between them. The place of meeting was appointed upon Salisbury-Plain, whither both Parties were to repair unarmed. But Hengist who meant nothing less than Peace, and yet had plotted a general Massacre, commanded his Followers to carry privately under their Vestures a Ihort Dagger or Seax, acquainting them before hand with his designs.

When the Britains were in the midst of their Cups, the Saxons cavilling at words, and picking small occasions of quarrel, provoking or provoked; at last at the watch-word given, Nienet cour Seares, at once drew their Daggers and dis∣patched three hundred of the Assembly. The King they kept in custody, for whose ransom Hengist received a confirmation of the Kingdom of Kent, and a new addition of three Provinces afterwards, called Essex, Sussex, and Middlesex. Vortigern set at liberty upon these terms, retires to his solitary abode in the County of Guorthigir∣niaun, so called by his name, thence to a Castle of his own building in North-Wales upon the River Tirby, where he perished at last by fire from heaven, as some write; others, by Ambrostus Aurelian, whose right he had usurped.

After this Massacre few or none being left in Britain, whose wisdom in Councel, or policy in War was able to do much for their Country, Hengist had the leasure to establish his new Dominions. And although we read of some few bickerings between him and the Britains afterwards, yet by the consequences we shall find that these last were alwaies the loosers, and the Saxons the only gainers. And now, about the year 477, Ella another Saxon Prince with his three Sons, Cymen, Pletig and Cissa, * 1.6 entered the Island at a place in Sussex called Cymenshore, and made great slaughter of the Britains; but of his actions, as being the founder of the Kingdom of the South-Saxons, there will be occasion to speak in that History. It is sufficient here to be hinted, that so fair a gap being laid open by Hengist, not long after, as if Britain was the field of Fortune, many other Princes out of Saxony and those parts came flocking into the Island, and soon after one another settled Seven distinct Kingdoms, leaving to the Poor Britains no more than what nature seemed to provide for them, namely, inaccessible Mountains, and Rocks scarcely passable, where defending themselves, and enjoying the use of their Religion, they sometimes to little purpose, as in the main appears, made sallies upon the Saxons, who not withstanding all resistance still more and more increased. Some of them fled over to their Brethren in Armorica, others into Holland, where yet remains the Ruines of Brittenburg not far from Leyden, to be seen at Low-water, either built, as the Dutch Writers affirm, or seized by the Britains in their flight from Hengist.

Hengist reigned thirty four years, and then, as Marianus Scotus reports, died ho∣nourably; but Peter de Ikam, Polydore and others, say, he was slain in Battel, or taken by Edol Earl of Gloucester, and beheaded at Conesborow.

He was a Prince of the chief Blood of the Saxons, by birth of Angria in West∣phalia, and supposed Lord of that Territory, called at this day Hengster-holt. He is thus derived from the deified Woden; Hengist the Son of Wetgisse, the Son of Wecta, the Son of Woden.

When Hengist came first into Britain, he is said to have built Thong-Castle near Sydingborn in Kent, so called because he had begged as much ground of the King * 1.7 to build it on, as he could compass about with an Ox-hide; Here he feasted Vor∣tigern, and here the fair Rowena in broken language drunk to him that fatal Wassal, that for ever after like a strong, yet lingring poyson, stuck close to his side. Thus Hengist obtained the Kingdom by Craft as much as Courage, and established it in blood by Treachery; yet there are who excuse that Massacre of the British Nobi∣lity, and lay it upon chance, not design, alledging, that in Saxony, not long before, there had been a meeting of Thuringers and Saxons, where, if the Saxons suspecting fraud had not come privily armed, the Thuringers had dispatched them all, fearing the like Treachery from the Britains, they prepared for the worst in this Treaty; and in the midst of their Cups, as drink is quarrelsom, they were provoked beyond the measure Wine is able to bear.

Thus Verstegan.

OERIC.

OERIC Sirnamed Oisc, the Son of Hengiss, succeeded in the Kingdom; At * 1.8 the Battel of Creganford, or Craford, he gave signal proof of his Valour in assisting his Father in gaining that most remarkable Victory, not long before he had been taken prisoner by the Britains, and was held in custody at York, but by secret workings he made his escape, and came up to his Father before the fight began. Being seated in the Throne, like a wise Prince, he set himself to the establishing his Kingdom by good Laws, contracting his Dominions within the Province of Kent, as most tenable, and neglecting those Out-skirts of Essex, Sussex, and Middlesex, left him by Hengist, as not well bounded nor throughly subdued. Sussex and Surry, which touched him on the West, he gave up to the Conquest of Ella the Saxon, and Essex and Middlesex on the North, he left free for Enchinwine, another Saxon Adven∣turer, to exercise his Valourin.

Thus whilst on all sides of his Kingdom the Britains were kept off by other hands, he had leasure to follow the Arts and Methods of Peace, like Numa, to settle the Kingdom left him by his warlike-Predecessor. And this is the reason that we hear little of his Son and Grand-son, saving their Names and Issues, till the time of Ethel∣bert: For the Britains taken up with higher Wars, had not opportunity or means to reach Kent, and till Ethelbert's daies, the other Saxons were so well imployed by the Britains, that they had no leasure to fall out among themselves.

In memory of this Prince, the founder of their Laws and Priviledges, the Kentish Men afterwards called themselves Oiscings. He reigned 24 years, but hath not the honour by our Historians to be accounted the second Monarch of the English Men, they giving that place to Ella, founder of the South Saxons, a more active and bustling Prince.

OCTA.

OCTA, the Son of Eske or Oisc, began his Reign about the year 513: What * 1.9 his Father peacably left, he quietly enjoyed for twenty two years, in which he had the pleasure to see many other Principalities of the Saxons begun in the Island. He left the Kingdom to Ermiric.

ERMIRIC.

ERMIRIC the Son of Octa Reigned twenty nine years, more honourable in * 1.10 his Posterity than any actions of his own. He gave his Daughter Rikel in marriage to Sledda Son of Erchinwine, first founder of the Kingdom of the East-Saxons, by which alliance he endeared to himself the neighbouring Provinces of Essex and Middlesex; his Kingdom he left to his Son Ethelbert.

ETHELBERT.

ETHELBERT the Son of Ermiric succeeded in the Kingdom of Kent; * 1.11 He equalled in length of Reign both his Predecessors, and as Bede rockoneth, exceeded them three years. At his first coming to the Crown he was very young and unexperienced, by which means, hastily aiming above his reach, he fell almost beneath the contempt of his Neighbours. The causes of his Ambition seem to be these.

We read that Hengist by leave of Vortigern had placed Octa and Ebissa in the North to keep off the Scots and Picts from molesting the Southern borders they and their Successors settling there a kind of Principality, had held it for one hundred and eighty

years, yet as in subjection to Kent the elder Family, and owning its Protection though far distant; But Ida coming to govern in those parts about the year five hundred for∣ty seven, in the daies of Ermiric, cast off all manner of obedience to that Crown, and assumed an Absolute Royalty to himself, which Indignity Ermeric, as may pro∣bably be guessed, resenting by making strong Alliances, intended to revenge, but being snatched away by untimely death, the quarrel was left intire to young Ethel∣bert his Son, who partly instigated by this affront, whereby the honour of his Kingdom seemed to be lessened; and judging withal, that Superiority was due to him not only from that but other Kingdoms, from the priority of time wherein Kent was settled, taking up Arms began to invade his Neighbours, and by open claim to assert the Right of an universal Monarchy. But not well weighing the strength of his Neighbours, and measuring his own Power rather by the number of his Levies, than the goodness of his Men by long peace unaccustomed to War, he was misera∣bly baffled by Keaulin King of the West-Saxons, an old experienced Souldier, who with Cutha his Son leading an Army, trained up in Wars and well fledged with Vi∣ctories obtained against the Britains, twice defeated him, and at last drove him into his own Territories. The first place of Battel is not mentioned, that which seemeth to be the last was at Wiphandun, wherein two Kentish Earls, Oslave and Cnebban, lost their lives. And this is the first War the Saxons had among themselves since their entring the Island.

Ethelbert taught by these defeats, that the success of War depends not on the eagerness of desire to conquer, but the steady management of the means, referred the repairing of his losses to a more convenient time, and the event proved accordingly; for being come to riper years, and Keaulin his grand Opposer removed by death, in a short time he stretched his Empire over the most considerable parts of the Island, all the Kingdoms on this side Humber either by force or composition being brought entire under his obedience; And he is worthily reckoned the sixth Monarch of the English men.

Thus grown great, he takes to wife Bertha the French King Chilperick's Daughter, whom St. Gregory (as will appear in his Epistle writ to her) calls Adelberga, she was a Christian, and by Covenant of Marriage was to enjoy the exercise of her Religion; to that end she brought over with her Letard a Bishop, under whose care and in∣structions, he daily exercised the Christian Profession. The King as yet, and all his People, continued in the worship of the Saxon Idolatry, and whether by the neg∣ligence of Letard, who perhaps contented himself in the freedom of private devo∣tion, or that the King taken up in Wars had not the leasure to examine into their Faith, or lastly, that God in his infinite wisdom reserved the Conversion of our Na∣tion to other hands, certain it is, that neither the example of the Queen, nor the preaching of Letard, have left any tokens or Records of effects proportionable to such advantages, as might be expected from an open and sincere Profession. St. Gre∣gory in one of his Epistles following, highly taxes the negligence of the French Clergy in not taking care of the Saxons Cenversion; and Bede out of Gildas, laies it to the charge of the British; But in what capacity, as to Life and Manners they were in to perform so charitable an office, take out of Gildas himself, as it is most elegantly translated by Mr. Milton.

Nothing better were the Clergy, but at the same pass, or rather worse than when the * 1.12 Saxons came first in; unlearned, unapprehensive, yet impudent, subtle Prowlers, Pastors in name, but indeed Wolves, intent upon all occasions not to feed the flock, but to pamper and well line themselves, not called, but seizing on the Ministry as a Trade, not as a Spi∣ritual charge, teaching the People not by sound Doctrine, but by evil Example, usurping the Chair of Peter, but through the blindness of their own Worldly lusts they stumble upon the Seat of Judas, deadly haters of truth, broachers of lies, looking on the poor Chri∣stian with eyes of pride and contempt, but sawning on the wickedest Rich men without shame, great promoters of other mens Alms with their set exhortations, but themselves contributing ever least, slightly touching the many vices of the Age, but preaching with∣out end their own grievances as done to Christ, seeking after preferments and degrees in the Church more than after heaven: and so gained, make it their whole study how to keep them by any tyranny. Yet, lest they should be thought things of no use in their eminent places, they have their nicities and trivial points to keep in awe the superstitious

Multitude: But in true saving knowledge leave them still as gross and stupid as them∣selves, bunglers at the Scripture, nay forbidding and silencing them that know, but in Worldly matters practiced Cunning jhisters; in that only art and symony Great Clerks and Masters, bearing their heads high, but their thoughts object and low. He taxes them also as gluttonous, incontinent, and daily drunkards: And what shouldst thou expect from these poor Laity? So he goes on, These beasts, all belly, shall these amend thee, who are themselves laborious in evil doings? shalt thou see with their eyes, who see right for∣ward nothing but gain? leave them rather, as bids our Saviour, left ye fall both blindfold into the same perdition. Are all thus? Perhaps not all, or not so grossly. But what availed it Eli to be himself blameless, while he connived at others that were abominable? Who of them hath been envied for his better life? who of them hath hated to con∣sort with these, or withstood their entring the Ministery, or endeavoured zea∣lously their casting out? Yet some of these perhaps by others are legended for great Saints.

This was the state of the Church among the Britains, scarce likely to convert others, who were so much perverted among themselves; but whether or no they were in a condition among so much hostility to preach the Gospel of Peace, sup∣posing they had men well-meaning thereunto amongst them, in a thing so far distant is not easily determinable; Certain it is, that the Conqueror with less prejudice re∣ceives Religion from any, than the persons conquered: And this might be the cause that notwithstanding the Christian Faith shone round about, yet the intire Conver∣sion of the Saxons is owing to the See of Rome, which at that time was possessed by GREGORY, afterwards Sirnamed the Great; and for his upright behaviour in this and other like occasions, worthily Cannoniz'd for a Saint.

Now the first occasions of this great work, and the methods by which it proceeded, because it hath been of so high concern to our Nation, as which still bears influence among us, I shall not stick more particularly to relate out of faithful Historians, and Ancient Records yet extant.

The Original motives, which induced Gregory to this great undertaking, Venerable Bede thus relates, as he received it down by tradition.

The Report goeth, that on a certain day, when upon the coming of Merchants lately arrived, great store of Wares was brought together into the Market-place (at Rome) for to be sold, and many Chapinen flocked together for to buy, Gre∣gory also himself among others came thither, and saw with other things, Boyes, set to sale, for Bodies fair and white, of Countenance sweet and amiable, having the Hair also of their head as lovely and beautiful, whom when he wistly beheld, he demanded (as they say) from what Country or Land they were brought? Answer was made, that they came out of the Isle of Britain, the People whereof were as well-favoured to see unto. Then he asked again, whether those Islan∣ders were Christians, or enshared still with the Errors of Paganisin? To which it was answered, they were Painims, but he fetching a long deep sigh from his very heart root, Alas for pity, quoth he, that the foul Fiend and Father of Darkness should be Lord of so bright and lightsom faces, and that they who carried such grace in their Countenances, should be void of the inward Grace in their hearts and souls. Once again he desired to understand by what name their Nation was known? They made answer, that they were called Angli. And well may they be so named, quoth he, for Angel-like faces they have, and meet it is that such should be fellow-heirs with Angels in Heaven. But what is the name of that Province from whence these were brought? Answer was made, that the Inhabitants of the said Province were called DEIRI. Deiri, quoth he, they are indeed De irâ eruti, that is, delivered from anger and wrath, and called to the mercy of Christ. How call you the King of that Province, saith he? Answer was made, that his name was Aelle. Then he alluding to the name, said, that Allelu-jah should be sung in those Parts to the praise of GOD the Creator. Coming therefore to the Bishop of the Roman and Apostolical See (for himself as yet was not made Bishop) he intreated that some Ministers of the Word should be sent into the English Nation, by whose means it might be Con∣verted to Christ, and even himself was ready to undertake the performance of

this work with the help of God, in case it would please the Apostolical Pope that it should be so.

BENEDICT, who then sate in the Chair of: Rome, readily heard and joyfully embra∣ced so charitable a motion, and Gregory encouraged by the leave of that Pope, un∣dertakes the Journey himself; but he was not gone far, but the Roman Citizens, who for his holiness of Life, and sincerity of Doctrine, looked on him as their chiefest stay and comfort, by earnest supplications and passionate requests obtained his Revocation, who thus put by his so much desired enterprize, nevertheless con∣tinued his ardent endeavors for this great work of Conversion, which he had means to perfect afterwards, when for his great Merit he was advanced to a higher capacity of acting; For after the death of BONIFACE, being chosen his Successor, he pitcht upon Augustine for his chief Instrument in this work, a Man of whose endow∣ments for such a Ministry he was sufficiently satisfied, as having, together with an Austere sanctity of life, the spirit and courage of an Apostle, and whom by pre∣ferment he had nearly engaged to himself, having made him Provost of his own Mo∣nastery at Rome.

Augustine thus qualified sets on for his Journey, but the Monks who were to attend him, and over whom he was created Abbot, whether by the disswasions of others who represented the danger of their Journey, or discouraged by their own Fears, draw off from the enterprize, and send back Augustine in the name of all, to desire Gregory to release them from a Mission which was likely to be not only dangerous, but ineffectual, as to a Nation fierce and barbarous, and a Language they understood not. And this is the occasion of the following Epistle, wherein Gre∣gory encourages them to proceed in the work of Conversion, which I have set down, and many others, because they shew the unwearied diligence, and vigilant care of that great Pastor, to remove all Obstacles that might hinder, and to im∣prove all Advantages to help on so necessary and charitable an undertaking.

THE British EPISTLES OF GREGORY the GREAT.

GREGORY Bishop, servant of the Servants of GOD, To the Servants of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He exhorts those that go from Britain, to be terrified with no difficulties what∣soever, but bring to perfection what they had happily begun.

BEcause it is better not to begin good things, than after they are be∣gun * 1.13 negligently to give them over, it concerns you, my Dearest Children, with God's assistance to endeavour an accomplishing that Good work which lately you have undertaken, neither let the tedious∣ness of your Journey, or the tongues of Evil men any waies affright you, but with all vehemency and zeal put an end to those things (God being your guide) which you have already begun, knowing that the greatness of your Labours shall be attended with eternal glory; In all things humbly obey Augustine your Governour at his return, whom we have made Abbot over you, knowing how abundantly it will profit your own Souls. If any thing shall be compleated by you according to his advice, Almighty GOD protect you with his Grace, and grant that I may see the fruits of our labour in an Eternal Country; And although I cannot labour with you, yet I hope I shall be rewarded together with you, because I am willing to labour. *God have you safe in his keeping, my Beloved Children; Given the tenth of the Kalends of August, our Lord Mauritius Tiberius Augustus being Emperour in the fourteenth year, after the Consulship of the said Lord the thirteenth year, Indiction the fourteenth (i. e.) in the year of our Lord 596.

Observations upon this Epistle.

Those things in the preceding Epistle which follow this mark * I find not in the old Gregorian Register, but are annexed here by us according to the Copy of that

Epistle in Bedes Eccl. Hist. lib. 1. cap. 23. The Author of the Register hath every where omitted the Inscription of these Dates, to the great damage and injury of the Curi∣ous Searchers of Antiquity.

In Bede there follows another Epistle of Gregory the Great, not found in the Re∣gister. The Reverend Pope sent Letters, saies he, by the same Persons (meaning Augu∣stine, and his Companions) to Etherius Archbishop of Arles, that he would courtcously entertain Augustine going for Britain; of which this is the stile.

GREGORY, servant of the Servants of GOD, To our most Re∣verend and Holy Brother, and fellow Bishop Etherius.

That he would courteously receive Augustine, and his Companions.

ALthough Priests having Charity pleasing to God, need not the * 1.14 commendation of any other Religious person, yet because time hath fitly presented it self, we have taken care to send our Letters to your Brotherhood, signifying, that we have sent thither Augustine the servant of God, and Bearer of these Presents, with other servants of God for the benefit of Souls, whom 'tis very necessary your Holiness should readily assist with a Sacerdotal care, and speedily afford him what comforts you can; and that you may the willinglier favour him, we have enjoyned him particularly to declare the cause of his Journey, hoping, that, that being known, you would for God's sake seriously en∣deavour (the business requiring it) their benefit and welfare.

Gregory the Great To Candidus the Priest going to the Patrimony of Gaul.

To whose care he commends the Patrimony of St. Peter in Gaul, and that out of it he should buy English Boys, and clothes for the Poor.

GOing forward (with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ) to the government of the Patrimony which is in Gaul, we would that * 1.15 your charity, out of the mony it shall receive, provide clothes for the Poor, and English Boys that are about seventeen or eighteen years old, who being put into Monasteries may do God good service, in regard the mony of Gaul which in our Land cannot justly be expended, may be laid out to advantage in its proper place. But if you shall receive any thing out of the Revenues which are said to be taken away, we will also that out of those, clothes be provided for the Poor, or as we said before, Boys, who may be instrumental in the service of Almighty God; But because they are all Pagans that are found thereabouts, I will that a Priest be sent over with them, lest any sickness happen to them on the way, that they may be Baptized, when he finds them ready to die. So let your Cha∣rity act, and make hast to fulfil these things.

Gregory the Great To Palladius Bishop of Xanton, To Pelagius of Tours, and To Serenus of Marseilles, Fellow Bishops of Gaul.

To whom he commends Augustine, whom he had sent into England.

ALthough Priests having charity pleasing to God, need not the * 1.16 commendations of any other Religious person, yet because time has fitly presented it self, we have taken care to send our Letters to your Fraternity, signifying, that we have sent thither Augustine the Ser∣vant of God and Bearer of these presents, with other Servants of God for the benefit of Souls, whom 'tis very necessary your Holiness should readily assist with a Sacerdotal care, and speedily afford him what com∣forts you can; and that you may the willinglier favour him, we have enjoyned him particularly to declare the cause of his Journey, hoping that, that being known, you would for God's sake seriously endeavour (the business requiring it) their benefit and welfare.

Gregory the Great To Virgilius Bishop of Arles, and Metropolitan of Gaul.

He commends Augustine to him, whom he had sent into England to propagate the Gospel.

ALthough we are confidently assured that your Brotherhood is al∣waies * 1.17 intent upon good works, and ready at any time of its own accord to interest it self in causes pleasing to God, yet we thought it not altogether unprofitable to speak to you out of a Brotherly chari∣ty, that the comforts, which ye ought out of your own good natures freely to have afforded, stirred up by these our Epistles, might be in∣creased in a greater measure. We therefore declare to your Holiness, that we have dispatched hither Augustine the servant of God, and Bearer of these presents (whose zeal and diligence is well known to us) with other Servants of God for the welfare of Souls, as he, when he comes into your presence, can testifie; in which business it is necessary that you assist him with both Counsel and Supplies, and cherish him (as it be∣hoves you) with your Paternal and Sacerdotal consolations; For when he shall have obtained those comforts from your Holiness (if it is any thing available, as we doubt not, to promote the cause of God) you also shall receive your reward, who so piously afforded the benefit of your assistance for the promoting of good works.

Gregory the Great To Desiderius of Vienna, and Syagrius of Au∣gustodunum, Fellow Bishop of Gaul.

He commends Augustine to them.

WE shall entertain a good opinion of the sincere charity of your * 1.18 Brotherhood, if out of love to St. Peter Prince of the Apo∣stles you bestow it in relieving our Servants, since the nature of the cause requires it, in which of your own accord ye ought rather to wish to be fellow-labourers and partakers. We therefore declare to your Ho∣liness, that we have sent hither (God so ordering it) Augustine the ser∣vant of God, Bearer of these presents (whose zeal and diligence is well known to us) with other Servants of God for the cure of Souls; when you shall understand exactly from his own Relation what is enjoyned him, your Brotherhood may in every thing the business shall require with more readiness assist him, that you may be counted (as is meet) the furtherers of good works; therefore in this thing let your Brotherhood study to manifest the demonstrations of its affection, that the good opi∣nion we have already entertained of you, by hearsay, may receive a fur∣ther confirmation in us of you by your works.

Gregory the Great To Arigius a Noble man of Gaul.

To whom he commends Augustine.

HOw much goodness, and how much meekness with charity plea∣sing * 1.19 unto Christ is shining in you, we are certainly informed from Augustine Servant of God, Bearer of these presents, and we give Almighty God thanks, that hath given you these gifts of his grace, by which you may appear praise-worthy amongst men, and in his sight, which is truly profitable, glorious. We beseech therefore Almighty God, that these gifts, which he has so freely granted you, he would multiply, and take you and all yours into his protection, and that he may so order the manner of your glory in this life that it may be beneficial to you here, and, what is more to be wished, in the life to come. Greeting there∣fore your Honour, we desire with a Fatherly tenderness, that the Bearer of these presents, and the Servants of God that are with him, may find in those things that are necessary your assistance, since they will be the better able, through God's help and the benefit of your favour, to per∣form those things that are commanded them.

Gregory the Great To Theoderick and Theodebert, Kings of the Frankes, concerning Augustine Servant of God, sent to the English Nation.

AFter that Almighty God had adorned your Kingdom with a pure * 1.20 and upright Faith, and by the integrity of the Christian Reli∣gion had made it eminent above other Nations, we conceived great grounds of presuming that you would especially have desired that your Subjects should be converted to that Faith in which you are Kings and Lords over them; And, indeed, there came to our hands the earnest Pe∣tition of the English Nation (God commiserating their condition) to be converted to the Christian Faith, but your Priests, their Neigh∣bours, wholly neglect it, and are much wanting by their Exhortations in seconding their desires. For this cause therefore, we have carefully sent thither Augustine servant of God, Bearer of these presents (whose zeal and diligence is well known unto us) with other Servants of God, whom we have enjoyned to take some of the neighbouring Clergy along with them to know their minds, and with their Admonitions, as much as in them lies, further their willingness; in which thing that they may prove effectually able, with a Fatherly charity saluting your Highnesses, we desire that these whom we have sent may merit your favour; and because 'tis a business of Souls, may your Power protect and assist them, that Almighty God, which knows with what devotion and diligence you further them, may take your state into his protection, and after this Earthly power is ended, bring you to an Heavenly kingdom.

Gregory the Great To Brunichild Queen of the Frankes.

Of the Conversion of the English, and of Augustine.

THe Christianity of your Highness hath formerly so clearly ap∣peared * 1.21 unto us, that we cannot in the least doubt of its inte∣grity and goodness, but ought rather to remain fully satisfied of it, be∣cause in matters of Faith it carefully sustains and assists us, abundant∣ly administring all those comforts that proceed from a Religious sin∣cerity; of which thing being confident we salute you with a Father∣ly love, intimating moreover, that we have heard of the earnest desire the English Nation hath (God so willing it) to become Christian, but your Priests, who are their Neighbours, take no Pastoral care of them. Therefore lest their Souls should perish through eternal damnation, we have carefully directed thither Augustine, servant of God, and Bearer of

these presents (whose zeal and diligence is well known unto us) with other Servants of God, that by them we might know their wills, and consider (you also endeavouring as much as in you lies) the fittest means for their Conversion. We have also commanded them for the better carrying on of the work, that they take along with them some of the neighbouring Clergy; We therefore hope that your Highness, who was alwaies naturally inclined to good works, will, as well for the sake of this our Request, as out of a serious consideration of the Divine Anger, in all things respect his honour and welfare, and bestow upon him the favour of your Protection, and assist his labours with your Pa∣tronage; and that he may throughly obtain his reward, provide that he may pass securely to the aforesaid English Nation, that God who hath in this life plentifully stored you with all good things pleasing to him∣self, may make you here and in eternal Rest rejoyce with his Saints.

Gregory the Great To Eulogius Bishop of Alexandria.

He treats of the Conversion of the English, aud makes mention, that in the Councel of Calcedon the Roman Bishop was stiled, UNIVERSAL.

OUR Common Son the Bearer of these presents, when he brought * 1.22 the Letters from your Holiness, found me sick, and left me so, which was the occasion that in answer to the large fountain of your Beatitude so small streams have been made you in return. It was surely, the gift of Heaven, when I was so much indisposed in Body, to afford me the benefit of your Holiness's writings, which, by the information they gave me of the Doctrine of the Alexandrian Church, of the Con∣version of Hereticks, and of the Unity of the Faithful, rejoyced me so exceedingly, that the extremity of my pain was in some measure allay∣ed by the refreshing of my mind: And, indeed, we alwaies rejoyce with new joy at your good, but that you should act so perfectly we think it not new at all; for that the number of the Holy Church increases, that spiritual Corn for the Heavenly Barn is multiplied, we never doubted the grace of Almighty God which so largely flows upon your Holiness. We therefore give Almighty God thanks, because we see that fulfilled in you which is written: Where is much Corn, there is manifest the strength of the Oxen; for if a strong Ox had not drawn the plough of the tongue over the land of the heart of the Hearers, so great an Harvest of the Faithful had never sprung up. But because from the good you do, there ariseth something which enforces you to communicate your joy to others, we also this way will repay your courtesie, and tell you of things not altogether different from those you have related. The English Na∣tion

placed in an obscure corner of the World, has hitherto been wholly taken up in the adoration of Wood and Stones, but by the advice and light I received from your Epistle, I have taken care to send thither (as I ought) a Monk of our Monastery set apart for preaching to that Peo∣ple, who having before License from me, is made Bishop by the Bishops of Germany, with whose prayers and fatherly consolations he is gone to the aforesaid Nation placed at the end of the World. And there came unto us lately Letters concerning his welfare and proceedings, who either he himself, or those that were sent over with him are grown so famous in that Nation, for the great wonders they have wrought, that they seem to equal the vertues of the Apostles in the Miracles they have performed. At the solemnity of the birth of our LORD, which was celebrated at this first Indiction, above 10000 English are reported to have been Bap∣tized by this our Brother and Fellow Bishop; all which I have related to this purpose, that you might know vvhat you do by your speaking amongst the Alexandrians, and vvhat by your prayers in the uttermost parts of the World; your prayers are in that place where you are not, whose holy operations and effects are shewn in that place where you are.

Moreover, concerning the Person of Eudoxius the heretick, of whose Er∣ror I can find nothing in the Latin tongue, I rejoyce that I am sufficiently satisfied by your Holiness, for you brought against him the judgments of the ablest Men, Basil, Gregory, Epiphanius, so that we must needs conclude him killed, against whom so many Champions have cast their Darts.

Concerning those Errors which are grown up in the Church of Con∣stantinople, you have learnedly considered all things, and as became the Judgment of so great a Cheyer; wherefore we render Almighty God thanks, because the Tables of the Testament are yet in the Ark of God; For what is the Heart of the Priest, but the Ark of the Testament? in which (because spiritual Doctrine abounds) without doubt, the Tables of the Law lie. Your Holiness also endeavoured to shew, that you don't now write high Titles to any one, which proceed from the root of vanity, and yet in different Character you speak to me thus, As ye Commanded, which word of Command I desire you would for ever take from my hearing since I know who I am, and who ye are; by your place yee are Brothers to me, by your gravity Fathers, therefore I did not command a∣ny thing, but carefully intimated what I thought profitable, yet I find that your Holiness would not perfectly retain what I hinted to your Memory. For I said that ye ought not to write thus to me, or any body else, and yet in the very Preface of your Epistle directed to me who forbad it, you have taken care to inscribe to me UNIVERSAL BISHOP, a Title of too proud a signification, which I beg your good Holiness would do no more;

For from you is taken whatever beyond reason is given to another, for I don't desire to be honoured by words but by actions, neither do I think it honour, where I know my Brethren lose their Honour; for my Honour is the same honour of the whole Church, my Honour is the full vigor of my Brethren; then therefore I am truly honoured, when no body is denied the honour due to him. For if your Holiness calls me Universal Bishop, it denies it self, to be at all, what it confesses me to be only, that is, Universal; but God forbid this. Away with those words stir up Pride and wound charity, and, indeed, your Holiness well knows that this Title was offered my Predecessor in the holy Counsel of Chal∣cedonia, and afterwards by succeeding Fathers, but none of them would ever accept of this Title, that whilst carefully in this World they re∣spected the honour of all the Clergy in general, they might preserve their own entire with God Almighty. Wherefore (paying you due custome of Greeting) I desire you would be pleased to be mindful of us in your Prayers, that from the chains of my sins, because of mine own merits I am not able, through your intercession God would deliver me.

Observations upon this Epistle.

The Annexer of the Title has not done ingeniously in this Epistle, for he saies, that in the Councel of Chaleedon the Pope was stiled UNIVERSAL, not making any mention how that Title was rejected by the Pope and all his Successors (as Gregory shews) but was also vehemently exploded and cast off by Gregory him∣self in this Epistle, of which he has not taken the least notice in the Title.

Gregory To Menna of Tolouse, To Serenus of Marseilles, To Lupus of Cavation, To Agilius of Meris, To Simplicius of Paris, To Melantius of Roan, and To Licinius, Fellow Bishops of the Frankes.

ALthough the care of the office ye have undertaken might suffici∣ently * 1.23 admonish your Brotherhood with your utmost endeavours to assist Religious persons, and especially those that labour in the cure of Souls; yet it will not be amiss, if with this our Epistle we stir up your vigilancy. For as the fire by the fanning of the wind is made greater: so the affections of a good mind are embettered by commendation. Because therefore the grace of our Redeemer cooperating, so great a multitude of the English are converted to the Christian faith, that our most Reverend and Common Brother, and Fellow Bishop Augustine, affirms, that those that are with him are not sufficient for the execution of this work in divers Places; We have provided that some Monks should be sent over to him, with our beloved and common Sons, Laurentius the Priest and Miletus the Abbot; and there∣fore let your Brotherhood afford them that charity it ought, and spee∣dily

help them with those succours that are necessary, for as much as by your assistance all obstructions and causes of delaies will be removed; So that they being relieved by your charity, may rejoyce together with you, and you by freely bestowing it, may be found partakers with them in the work they are intended for.

Gregory the Great To Clotharius King of the Frankes.

AMongst the many troubles and cares you daily meet with in go∣verning those Nations under you, it is the highest honour and * 1.24 greatest advantage to appear in the Patronage of those that labour in the cause of God; and because by many good Presidents you have shewn your self to be such that now we may presume better things of you, we are the willinglier invited to desire those things of you, which at last will return to your own benefit. Some of those who went into England with our most Reverend Brother and Fellow-Bishop Augustine, at their return have related with how great humanity and charity your Excel∣lence entertained him in your own Court, and with what succours you assisted him setting forward on his Journey. But because those actions are most acceptable to God alwaies which recede not from good be∣ginnings, We salute You with a Fatherly affection, desiring that the Monks, the Bearers of these presents (whom we have sent over to our foresaid Brother, together with our beloved Sons, Laurentius the Priest and Melitus the Abbot) might be particularly respected by you, and whatsoever it was you bestowed on those before, for the plentiful in∣crease of your Honour continue likewise to these, that through your assistance they may, without any delaies, perform the Journey they have begun, that God, the Recompencer of all good works, may be to you in prosperity a guardian, and in adversity an helper.

Gregory To Brunichild Queen of the Frankes.

He returns Her thanks for assisting Augustine, and exhorts her courteously to en∣tertain the Monks that were sent unto him.

WE give thanks unto Almighty God, who among the rest of the * 1.25 gifts of his grace bestowed on your Highness has so filled your breast with the love of Christian Religion, that if you should know any thing tending to the benefit of Soula or the increase of your Faith, you would never cease with a devout mind and pious endeavour to bring it to perfection. With how great favour and courtesie your Highness assisted our most Reverend Brother and Fellow Bishop Au∣gustine, going for England, Fame before hath not been silent, and since

the Monks that returned from him have more particularly related. Your Christianity may be admired at by those that know but little of your favours; but we that are experimentally acquainted with them, have more reason to rejoyce than wonder, because by charitably obli∣ging others ye advantage your selves. How great, and what manner of Miracles our Redeemer has wrought in the Conversion of the aforesaid Nation is well known to your Highness, for which reason ye ought ex∣ceedingly to rejoyce, because your charity in this thing may claim to it self the greatest part, by whose assistance, next after God, the word of Preaching became there manifest, for he that furthers another's good consults his own.

And that the fruits of your reward may be the larger, we desire that to the Monks, Bearers of these presents (whom with our beloved Sons Laurentius the Priest, and Melitus the Abbot, we have sent over to our foresaid most Reverend Brother and Fellow Bishop, forasmuch as those that are with him are not sufficient for the work) you would courteously grant the favour of your Patronage, and vouchsafe to assist them in all things, that the good beginnings of your Highness may still proceed unto better, and that they meet with no delaies or difficulties in their Journey. May you in as great a measure stir up God's mercy to be fa∣vourable to you and your posterity, most Dear unto us, as you for his love shall behave your selves with compassion in causes of this nature.

Gregory To Augustine Bishop of the English.

Of the Conversion of that Nation, and that he should not glory in the power of Miracles, which oftentimes wicked Men have performed.

GLory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good-will towards * 1.26 Men, because a grain of corn falling dead upon the earth hath brought forth much fruit, that it might not alone reign in heaven, by whose Death we live, by whose Infirmity we are strengthned, by whose Passion we are delivered from passion, by whose Love we sought Bre∣thren in Britain whom we knew not, and by whose courtesie, whom not knowing we sought, we have found. Who is able to relate how great the joy is that is arose in the hearts of the Faithful, that, through the Grace of Almighty God cooperating, and your Brotherhood labouring, the darkness of Errors being driven away, the English Nation is covered over with the glorious light of holy Faith, that now out of a sincere mind and pious devotion it tramples on those Idols to which before it madly croucht to, that it prostrates it self before God with a pure heart, that it is restrained from relapsing into sin by the rules and instructions

of holy Preaching, that it submits in mind to the Divine precepts, but raised in understanding humbles it self in prayer on the ground, lest in affections it should grovel in the earth? Whose working is this, but His that saies, My Father hitherto works, and I work? Who, that he might make it manifest to the World, that he converts not by the wisdom of Men, but by his own vertue and power, The Preachers whom he sent in∣to the World he made choice of without learning, using the same me∣thod here also, for in the English Nation he has wrought mighty things by the hands of weak Persons.

But there is, my Dearest Brother, something in this celestial gift, which you ought extremely both to fear and rejoyce at. † I know that Almighty God has shewn great Miracles by you in the Nation he would should be chosen, from whence it is necessary, that concerning the same heavenly gift, you with fear rejoyce, and with joy be afraid. You may rejoyce that the Souls of the English through outward Mira∣cles are drawn to an inward grace; you ought to be afraid lest among the Miracles that are wrought your frail mind be puffed up too much by presumption and self-confidence, so that outwardly raised in honour, it inwardly falls through such vainglory. Moreover, we ought to remember, that when the Disciples returning from preaching with joy said to their Heavenly Master, Lord, in thy name Devils are subject unto us, they presently heard, Rejoyce not for this, but rather rejoyce that your names are written in Heaven. They had placed their mind in a temporal and private joy, be∣cause they rejoyced in Miracles; but they are streight recalled from a private to a publick, from a temporal to an eternal joy, to whom it is said, In this rejoyce because your Names are written in Heaven: For all the Elect don't work Miracles, but the Names of them all are registred in Heaven; to the Disciples of truth there ought to be no joy, unless in that good which they have common with all, and in which they have no end of their joy.

It remains therefore (My Dear Brother) that among those things which with the help of God you outwardly perform, you alwaies in∣wardly strictly judge your self, and particularly examine your self, who you are, and how great Grace there may be in that Nation for whose Conversion you have received the gift of performing Miracles; and if ever you remember that you have offended our Creator either by word or deed, alwaies bear it in mind, that the remembrance of the guilt may suppress the rising glory of the heart; and what power soever of work∣ing Miracles you shall receive, or have received, alwaies think it given, not for your sake, but for those for whose salvation 'twas conferred upon you. †

There comes into my mind, thinking of these things, what became of one Servant of God even extraordinarily elected. Certainly Moses, whilst he brought the People of God out of Egypt, wrought wonder∣ful Miracles (as your Brotherhood knows) in the land of Egypt; on Mount Sinai, after he had fasted fourty daies and nights, he received the Tables of the Law amongst dreadful Thunderings, all the People being afraid. In the service of Almighty God he alone enjoyed a familiar conference with Him, the Red-Sea he divided, in his Journey his guide was a Pillar of Cloud; When the People were hungry he gave them Manna from heaven, he miraculously gave them Flesh, when they wan∣ted, in the Wilderness till they were cloyed; but when in the time of Thirst they came to the Rock, he mistrusted, and doubted whether he could bring water from it, which, the Lord commanding, he struck and opened a passage for the running water. How great Miracles after this did he persorm in the Wilderness for the space of thirty eight years? who can reckon them? who can trace them? as often as he doubted of any thing, having recourse to the Tabernacle, he secretly inquired of the Lord, and was presently informed by the word of the Lord con∣cerning that thing. By the interposition of his prayers he appeased the Anger of the Lord towards his people, when they were puffed up with pride, or rebelled against him. He caused the earth to open and swal∣low them up, he foyled the Enemy with victories, and shewed signs to his own People; but when they came to the land of Promise, he was called into the Mountain, and heard of his fault that he had committed thirty eight years before, because he despaired of bringing out water, and he acknowledged, that for this thing he could not enter into the land of Promise; wherefore we ought to consider, what a dreadful thing the judgment of Almighty God is, who had done so many signal Wonders by this his Servant, and yet kept his fault committed so long ago still in remembrance. Therefore (most Dearest Brother) if we ac∣knowledge him dead after so many Miracles for his fault, whom we know to have been in a more especial manner elected by God Almighty, with how great fear ought we to tremble, who know not whether as yet we are elected?

What should I speak of the Miracles of Reprobates, since your Brotherhood knows very well vvhat Truth it felf hath said in the Gos∣pel? Many shall come in that day, saying unto me, Lord, in thy name we have Prophesied, and in thy name we have cast out Devils, and in thy name we have done wonders. But I will say unto them, I know ye not, depart from me all you workers of Iniquity. Therefore the mind is very much to be de∣pressed and kept under amongst Signs and Miracles, lest in those things

it should seek its own glory, and rejoyce in the joy of self exaltation. In Miracles we ought to have respect to the gain of Souls, and to his glory by whose power those Miracles are wrought; but our Lord has given us one sign concerning which we ought extremely to rejoyce, and by which we may acknowledge the glory of Election in us, By this it shall be known whether you are my Disoiples, if you love one another; which sign the Prophet desired, when he said, Grant some token unto me, O Lord, for good, that they that hate me may see and be confounded. I speak these things that my Hearer's mind might be laid prostrate in humility; but let this your humility have its confidence too, for I a Sinner have most certain hope that your sins are forgiven, through the grace of our Omnipotent Creator, and God our Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ. And to this end you were Elected, that others sins might be forgiven through you; Neither shall you hereafter find sorrow for any guilt, because you endeavour to make joy in Heaven by the conversion of so many; the same our Creator and Redeemer, when he speaks of the repentance of Man, saies, I say thus unto you, There shall be greater joy in Heaven over one Sinner that repents, than over ninety nine Just persons that need no repentanca. Now, if over one Peni∣tent there is made great joy in Heaven what great rejoyceing do we think there was at the conversion of such a number of People from their Er∣rours, who coming to the faith by repentance has condemned the evil it had done? Amidst therefore the joy of Heaven and the Angels, let us repeat those words of the Angels which we said before; let us say therefore, Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men.

Observations upon this Epistle.

Bede recites this Epistle, but not all, only as much of it as is included within these two fore-going Marks; as thus, † †, but the Date which is here wanting, he shews, for when he writ a Letter to Melitus going into Britain, dated (as you see above) the fifteenth day of the Kalends of July, our Lord Mauritius Tiberius Augustus being Em∣perour, in the nineteenth year after the Consulship of our said Lord the eighteenth year, in the fourth Indiction; He adds in the following Chapter, about which time he sent a Letter to Augustine concerning Miracles, which he knew were wrought by him, in which, lest through the number of them he should incur the danger of self∣opinion and pride, he exhorts him in these words, I know, Most Dear Brother, that Almighty God, &c. as above. That date of the fifteenth of the Kalends of July, agrees with the year of our Lord 601, about which time he wrote more Epistles.

Gregory To Aldiberga, Queen of the English.

HE that desires after this Earthly dominion to acquire the glory of an Heavenly kingdom, to gain his ends ought diligently to * 1.27 labour in the service of his Creator, that by degrees of working he may attain to what he desires, which we rejoyce you have done; our Be∣loved

Son Laurence the Priest, and Peter the Monk, at their return re∣lated in what manner your Majesty behaved it self towards our most Reverend Brother and Follow Bishop Augustine, and what assistances and comfort you bestowed on them likewise; And, indeed, we bless Al∣mighty God, who out of his mercy propitiously vouchsafed to reserve the Conversion of the English Nation for your glory and advancage. For as by Helen of Blessed memory, the Mother of the most pious Em∣perour Constantine, he inflamed the hearts of the Romans towards the Christian Faith: So in regard of the frequent Zeal of your Majesty, we hope his mercy will effectually work upon the English Nation. And, indeed, you ought also long since by your good prudence, which is purely Christian, to have inclined the mind of our most glorious Son your Husband, that, for the good of his Kingdom, and of his own Soul, he should follow that Faith which you profess; forasmuch as by him and through him, in the Conversion of the whole Nation, a reward worthy of you would spring up in the joyes of heaven. Since (as we have said) your Highness hath been confirmed in the right Faith, and taught the Scriptures, this thing ought not to have been difficult or tedious to you. And because by God's appointment a fit time is now offered, strive (the Divine grace assisting you) to repair with gain what has hitherto been neglected, therefore by daily exhortations strengthen the mind of your most Glorious Husband in the love of the Christian Faith. Let your care and example increase in him a love towards God, and let it so stir up his mind, especially for a through Conversion of the whole Nation under yee, that from the servency of his devotion yee may offer up to Almighty God an acceptable sacrifice, that those things which are reported of you may increase, and in all respects be found true concerning you. Your excellent vertues are not only known to the Romans, who more particularly pray for your life, but also in divers places, even as far as Constantinople, to the most excellent Emperour, that as we have joy in the consolation of your Christianity, so also in the Heavens the Angels may rejoyce at your further perfection. So therefore with all diligence and devotion, apply your selves to the assistance of our above-named Reverend Brother and Fellow Bishop, and of the rest of the Servants of God, whom we sent thither for the conversion of of your Nation, that with our Most glorious Son, and your Husband, you may reign with happiness here, and after a long time of years, attain to the endless joyes of the life to come. We beseech Almighty God, that he would inflame the heart of your Majesty with the fire of his Grace, to a performance of these things we have spoken of, and of his good pleasure grant you the fruit of an eternal Reward.

Observations upon this Epistle.

It may be doubted what Queen of England this Adilberga was, for the Wife of King Edilbert was called Bertha, as Bede affirms, lib. 1. cap. 25. but I think them both the same; but as it commonly happens, strange words are ill rendred by Forreigners, as hero Bdrga for Bertha, for Ald and Aldi are sometimes corruptly added in proper names for Edil and Athel, signlfying in the Saxon Language, Noble or Honourable, which may be seen in the Title of the following Epistle, where Gregory calls the King Aldibert, whom Bede every where calls Edilberth, others for the most part, Ethel∣bert, Ald also, because it properly signifies Old, may by Translation denote Ho∣nourable, and may seem to be added to the name of Berga or Bertha as an honou∣rable Attribute, so that Aldi-berga, signifies the same with Noble and Honourable Berga or Bertha.

Gregory To Aldibert King of the English.

He congratulates with him concerning the Conversion of that Nation.

FOR this reason Almighty God commonly advances the best Men * 1.28 to the government of Nations, that by them the gifts of his Grace might be dispersed among all those whom they are set over, which thing we know has been done in the English Nation, over which Your Majesty was therefore made chief, that by the good qualities that are given you, You might the better convey those Heavenly comforts to the Nation under your subjection; And therefore, Most Renowned Son, carefully preserve that Grace which you have received by the especial providence of God, make haste to propagate the Christian Faith a∣mong your Subjects, increase the servency of your own Faith in fur∣thering their Convension. Destroy the worship of Idols, raze their Temples, establish the Manners of your Subjects in the great Purity of good living by exhorting, terrifying, encouraging, correcting, and by showing the Examples of Good works, that you may find him your Rewarder in Heaven, whose name and knowledg you shall extend up∣on Earth, for he shall make your Name more glorious to Posterity, whose Honour you endeavour to advance and preserve in your Nation. So formerly, Constantine a most Pious Emperour, freeing the Roman Commonwealth from the preverse worship of Idols, submitted himself, and It to our Almighty LORD Jesus Christ, and applied himself and his Subjects with his whole mind unto GOD, from whence it came to pass, that he transcended his Predecessours as much in Fame, as he exceeded them in good works. And now therefore let your Majesty make all possible haste to disperse the knowledg of one GOD, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to Kings and their Subjects, that you may in commendation and merit pass the Ancient Kings of that Na∣tion, And by how much you endeavour to wipe away the sins of others,

by so much you may rest more secure of your own offences before the dreadful examination of Almighty God.

Our most Reverend Brother Augustine, Bishop, well taught in the rules of Monastick life, filled with the knowledg of the Holy Scrip∣ture, and endued (through God's grace) with good works, whatsoever he shall advise you, willingly hear, devoutly perform, and carefully lay up in your memory, because if you shall hear him in that which he speaks for God Almighty, the same Almighty God will the sooner hear him intreating for you; But if, which God forbid, you should neglect his words, when do you think Almighty God will hear him for you, whom you neglected to hear for God? With all your mind therefore, joyn your self with him in the fervency of Faith, and assist him, relying on that power which God has given you, that he may make you partakers of his Kingdom, whose Faith you have received and endea∣voured to preserve in your Kingdom.

Furthermore we would that your Majesty should understand, that as we know in Sacred Writ, out of the words of our Almighty Lord, that the end of this present World is at hand, and that the Kingdom of the Saints shall come, of which there shall be no end. But the end of the World drawing near, many things shall happen which before were not, viz. alterations of the Air, terrours from Heaven, and contrary to the course of Seasons, Tempest, Wars, Famine, Pestilences, Earth-quakes in divers places, all which shall not come to pass in our daies, but all of them shall certainly follow our daies. If therefore you shall find any of these things happen in your Land, let your mind in no sort be disturbed because these signs concerning the end of the World are therefore sent before, that we should be careful of our Souls, mistrust∣ful of the hour of death, that we may be found in good works pre∣pared for the Judg at his coming.

These things I have spoken to you in short, Most Excellent Son, that when the Christian Faith shall be increased in your Kingdom, my discourse also may be inlarged towards you; then 'twill be more pro∣per to speak more, when the joyes for the perfect conversion of the whole Nation shall be multiplied in your breast. We have sent you also some small Presents, which will not be small unto you, when you shall receive them from us with the benediction of the blessed Apostle Peter.

Almighty God preserve and perfect in you that Grace he hath be∣gun, and extend your life to the course of many years, and after long time receive you into the Congregation of his Heavenly Coun∣try. Let the Grace of Heaven, my Royal Son, keep your Highness safe. Given the tenth of the Kalends of July, in the nineteenth year

of our Lord Mauritius Tiberlus Augustue Emperour, after the Consul∣ship of the same eighteenth year, Indiction the fourth (i. e.) in the year of Christ 161.

Gregory To Virgilius Bishop of Arles.

He commends to him Bishop Augustine.

HOW great kindness ought to be shewn to Brethren coming of * 1.29 their own accord, may be gathered from hence, that to shew our charity they are most commonly invited by us, and therefore if it should so fall out that our common, Brother Bishop Augustine should come unto you, let your charity, as it ought, receive him with all ten∣derness and affection, and cherish him with the benefits of your con∣solation, and teach others how fraternal charity ought to be respected, And because it falls out, that those that are furthest off commonly are informed first of what ought to be corrected, if he shall make mention to your Brotherhood of any enormities committed either by Priests or others sitting with him, by diligent search and scrutining examine all things, and behave your selves so strict and careful in those things that offend God and provoke him to anger, that for the example and amend∣ment of others punishment only may strike the guilty, and that false judgment afflict not the innocent. Given the tenth day of the Kalends of July, Indiction the fourth.

Bede after this saich, Afflict not the Innocent, here in the end, and so goes on, God keep you safe, Most Reverend Brother; Given the tenth day of the Kalends of July, our Lord Mauritius Tiberius Augustus being Empe∣rour, in the nineteenth year after the Consulship of the said Lord the eigh∣teenth year, Indiction the fourth (i. e.) in the year of Christ 601.

Gregory To Melltus Abbot in France.

He gives Command to be sent to Augustine, about the conversion of that Nation.

AFter the departure of our Congregation which is with you, we * 1.30 were in great suspence, because we could hear nothing of the happiness of your Journey, but when it shall please Almighty God to bring you to our most Reverend Brother, Bishop Augustine, tell him I have a long time carefully considered of the condition of the English, and am of opinion that the Temples of the Idols in that Nation ought by no means to be destroyed, but only the Idols themselves that are in them. Let holy water be provided and sprinkled about those Temples, let Altars be built and Reliques kept in them; For if those Churches

are Elegantly built, it is necessary they should be taken from the wor∣ship of Devils, and appropriated to the service of the true God, that whilst the people see their Churches are not destroyed, they may put a∣way their Errors from their hearts, and knowing and worshipping the True God, may more familiarly resort to those places they were wont to frequent. And because many Oxen were wont to be slain in the sa∣crifice of Devils, some other solemnity ought to be introduced instead of it, that on the day of Dedication, or Birth-day of the Holy Mar∣tyrs, whose Reliques are there laid up, let them make Arbors to them∣selves of the Branches of Trees about those Churches that were for∣merly Temples, and let them celebrate the solemnity with Religious Banquets; Neither let them any longer sacrifice Beasts to the Devil, but to the praise of God let them kill those Creatures for their own eating, and in their fulness give thankes to the Giver of all things, that whilst there are left them some inward tokens of Rejoycing, they may the easier be brought to the inward Joyes of the Spirit. For to wean ob∣durate minds from all things on a sudden, without doubt is impossible. He that endeavours to climb on high, it is necessary he should rise by degrees and paces, not by leaps; so the Lord made himself known to the children os. Israel in Egypt, the customary Sacrifices which they were wont to offer to the Devil, he reserved in his own worship, that, by his command, they should offer living creatures in his sacrifice; Forasmuch as their hearts being changed, they lost somethings of the sacrifice, and retained others, so that although they were the same creatures they were wont to offer, nevertheless offering them to God and not to Idols, they were not the same Sacrifices. These things I would have your charity to declare to our aforesaid Brother, that he, for the present be∣ing placed there, may consider how all things ought to be ordered. Given the twelsth day of the Kalends of July, Indiction the fourth.

God preserve you safe, my Dearest Son, given the fifteenth day of the Kalends of July, in the nineteenth year of our Lord Mauritius Ti∣berius Augustus Emperour, after the Consulship of the said Lord the eighteenth, Indiction the fourth (i. e.) in the year of Christ 601.

Gregory To Augustine Bishop of the English.

Of the use of the Pall, and of the Church of London.

ALthough 'tis certain that the inexpressable Rewards of an eternal * 1.31 Kingdom are reserved for those that labour in the service of God, yet it is necessary that we should allow them the Ensigns of Ho∣nour, that by such Rewards they may be encouraged the more abun∣dantly

to labour in Spiritual works; and because the late Church of the English, through the mercy of our Lord and your diligence, is brought, to the grace of Almighty God, we grant you the use of the Pall in that Nation, but for only celebrating the solemnity of the Mals, so that you ordain through all places twelve Bishops that shall be under your Jurisdiction. Forasmuch as the Bishop of the City of London shall al∣waies hereafter be consecrated by a Synod of his own, and receive the honour of the Pall from this holy and Apostolick See, in which through God's grace I serve.

I will also that you send a Bishop to the City of Tork, whom you shall think fit to be ordained, so that if the same City, with the bor∣dering places, shall receive the Word of God, let him also ordain twelve Bishops, that he may also enjoy the honour of a Metropolitan, because we intend (God willing) to bestow on him in like manner the Pall, if he is of a meek and courteous behaviour, whom nevertheless we will that he submit to the Authority of your Brotherhood. After your death, so let him preside over the Bishops he shall Ordain, that by no means he submits to the power of the Bishop of London; But hereafter, let this distinction of Honour be between the Bishops of Lon∣don and York, that he be accounted first that was first ordained. Let them with common counsel, and joynt action, order whatever ought to be done for the love of Christ; let them unanimously agree in the Right, and whatsoever they agree on, not by contradicting one another, bring to perfection.

Let your Brotherhood therefore, have in subjection under you, not only those Bishops whom you have ordained, or those that shall be or∣dained by the Bishop of York, but also all the Clergy of Britain, our Lord God, Jesus Christ, being the Author, forasmuch as from the life and doctrine of your Holiness, they may receive the form of rightly be∣lieving, and living well, and may, by executing their office with a sin∣cere Faith and good Manners (when the Lord shall please) attain to an Heavenly Kingdom. The Lord keep you safe, Most Reverend Brother; Given the tenth day of the Kalends of July, our Lord Mauritius Tibe∣rius Augustus being Emperour in the nineteenth year after the Consul∣ship of the said Lord the eighteenth year, Indiction the fourth, that is, in the year of Christ 601.

THE LIFE OF S^t AUGUSTINE The first Arch-Bishop of CANTERBURY,

Written in Latin by Sr. Henry Spelman.

IT would be needless to use many words concerning this Augustine; his Life and Actions, after he was sent by GREGORY to convert the English, plainly appear in the following discourse; But what, and who he was before, little concerns us. He was a Roman, I think, by Birth, and a Monk of the Bene∣dictine Order, and was afterwards made Provost of St. Gregory's Monastery at Rome, as you may understand from the Epistle of St. Gregory himself to Syagrius Bi∣shop of Augustodunum; Called forth from thence by Gregory, he is sent into Britain with sourty Monks his Companions, and others of the Clergy (over whom he made him Abbot) in the year of our Lord 596, and in the year 597 arriving in Bri∣tain, he converted to the Faith Ethelbert King of Kent, and the greatest part of his People, whom, on the day of Pentecost, he Baptized in the Church of St. Martin at Canterbury, which had continued from the time of the Romans till then; The same year afterwards he went to Arles, where he was by Etherius Arch-Bishop of that City, who was so commanded by Gregory, ordained the Arch-Bishop of the English the sixteenth of the Kalends of December in the City of Arles; Returning to Fng∣land, he was received by both King and People with all imaginable Joy and soleni∣nity besttting his Quality, and had the Royal City of Canterbury bestowed upon him by the King for an Episcopal See, and the Kings Palace for a Cathedral Church to be erected unto Christ; so that the King seemed to imitate what is reported to have been done by the Emperour, Constantine the Great; Being ordained Bishop, he con∣sulted St. Gregory by Messengers and Questions, of the form of Government to be im∣posed on the Church he had lately established amongst the English Saxons; The An∣swers he received we will set down a little below. Soon after he was honoured by the same Gregory with the Pall (by which the fulness of Power is signisted) in the year, viz. of Christ, 601. Being then Metropolitan of Britain, he summons a Councel in the borders of Worcestershire, that he might be something nigher the British Clergy and Bishops, at that time residing in Wales, to which he warned them to appear; the place of Session appointed was Augustine's Ac, that is, Augustine's Oaks, where being assembled, Augustine demands from them Obedience to the Bishop of Rome, and the Reception of the Roman Ceremonies into the British Church. The Britains stiffly op∣posed this, and after the business had been a long time controverted on both sides,

another Synod or Session was agreed on, where a greater number of the British Clergy were present; amongst them seven Bishops. The old Controversie is again renewed, but when Augustine found that he was likely to gain no further he desired they would but conform to him and the Romans in three things only:

• 1. In the observation of Easter.
• 2. In the administration of Baptism.
• 3. In assisting him with their preaching to the English Saxons.

But they suspecting the pride of Augustine would not bondescend to him in these things neither. Lamentable was the event of this Assembly, which shall be related when we come in order to the place; for the British Church differed in many things from the Roman, as appears out of Gildar and Bede, and this following discourse.

Concerning the Manners of Augustine I shall determine nothing, he is blamed by our Age, and extolled by Antiquity. They report him to have been learned, pious, and an Imitator of Primitive holiness, the Apostle of the English, often in watchings, fastings, prayers, and alms zealous in propagating the Church of his Age, and of Re∣ligion, and earnest in rooting out Paganism. The first Introducer of Roman Monks, and other Rites and Ceremonles, in repairing and building Churches diligent e∣nough, and for working Miracles extraordinary famous. From hence, by reason of humane frailty his mind perhaps grew more lofty and proud, which thing St. Gregory himself seemed to take notice of, who admonished him by an Epistle, that he should not be puffed up with the greatness of his Miracles. He is ill spoken of for the Massacre of the Priest of Bangor, and not without a cause, if (as is reported) he ex∣cited King Edilfrid to that horrid slaughter.

Concerning him, thus C••••grave in his Life: St: Augustine was by stature very tall, so that he appeared from the shoulders above the rest of the people, his face was lovely, but majestical withal; there's no body can relate the Wonders and Cures he did among the People; He alwaies walked on foot, and most commonly he visited his Provinces bare∣footed, and the skin on his knees was grown hard and insensible through continual kneeling.

Concerning the time when he died the opinions of Authors are many, so that which to fix on is uncertain; Stow, makes it the 29 of May, in the year of Grace 603; Bede in the year 604; Augustine himself in his Leaden Bull, if it be truly his, cites a Cha∣racter of King Ethelbert, dated the year of our Lord 605, from which 'tis manifest that he was then living; Thomas Sprot relates, that he held a Councel at Canterbury in the year 605; Matthew 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Westminster following Segthert, saies, that he died in the year of Grace 608; Howden, in the year 610; Trevet and Polydore, in the year 611; Malmsbury, in the year 612, and Savil in Fastis, in the year 613. How long there∣fore he governed the Church of Canterbury, so great is the disagreement of Writers, that I date not determine any thing concerning it; But it appears manisest enough, that he began in the year of our Lord 596, in which he was sent by St. Gregory, or in the year 597, in which he was received by King Ethelbert, and ordained Bishop of Canterbury by Etheri••••s Arch-Bishop of Arles.

'Tis agreed on that he was buried in a Monastery of his own name, which he had built with the assistance of King Ethelbert, and in the Porch of that Church dedi∣cated to St. Peter and Paul, but not as yet consecrated, in a stone Coffin covered o∣ver with Iron and Lead, with this Inscription.

Inclytus Anglorum Praeful pius, & Decus Altum, Hîc Augustinus requiescie corpore sanctus.

The Church afterward being consecrated by Lawrence his Successor, his Coffin was brought into the Church and placed on the North side, where afterwards was an Altar of his name, and this Inscription affixed.

Hîc Requiescit AVGVSTINVS Dorobernensis Archiepiscopus, qui olim huc à Beato Gregorio Romae Urbis Pontifice directus, & à Deo opera∣tione miraculorum suffultus, & Ethelbertum Re∣gem, & gentem illius ab Idolorum cultu ad fidem perduxit & completis à pace diebus officii sui; Defunctus est 7. Kal. Junii eodem Rege Regnante.

He was Canonized for a Saint, and now holds a place in the Roman Martyrology on the seventh day of the Kalends of June (i. e.) the 26 day of May.

He is said to have written one Book to Gregory of his prosperous success, and one Book of the Statutes of his Churches, and Eleven Questions which Gregory Answe∣red, * 1.32 lib. 12. Tom. 2. which Bede also relates, lib. 1. cap. 37. Hist. Angl.

Augustine arrives in England, is courteously received of Ethelbert King of Kent, he imitates the life and doctrine of the Primitive Church, he baptizes the King, and is honoured with an Episcopal Seè. Bede, lib. 1. cap. 25.

AUgustine being strengthned by the encouragement of Blessed Father Gregory, re∣turns with the rest of the Servants of Christ that were with him to the work of the Word, and comes into Britain; Edilberth at that time was the most powerful King of Kent, who had extended the bounds of his Empire to the Banks of the great Ri∣ver Humber, by which the Southern and Northern people of England are separated. There is towards the Eastern part of Kent the Isle of Tanet, of indifferent bigness, the compass of it, according to the usual computation of the English, is six hundred Families, which the River Vantsum parts from the Continent; in breadth about three surlongs, and in two places omy fordable, for it runs its head both waies into the Sea. Here landed Augustine the Servant of the Lord with his Companions, as is re∣ported about fourty in number, they had taken along with them Interpreters of the French Nation, as Pope Gregory had commanded them. Being arrived, he sends to Edilberth, giving him to understand that he came from Rome, and had brought good tidings, with the proffets of Eternal happiness to them that would receive them, and an Everlasting kingdom after this life with the true and living God. The King hearing this, commanded that they should tarry in the Island they had landed in, and that all necessaries should be afforded them, till he had determined what to do with them; for he had heard of the Christian Religion before, having married a Christi∣an Wise of the Royal Family of the French, by name Bertha, whom he had received from her Parents on this condition, that she should have free exercise of Religion, and liberty to have a Bishop, by name Luidhard, whom they had given her as an assistant and strengthner of her faith.

The King after some daies past came to the Island, and sitting down in the open Air, commanded that Augustine and his Companions should be brought into his pre∣sence thither; for he feared to admit them into any House, being perswaded by his old Superstition, that if they brought with them any Charms or Incantations, they could not so easily work upon him. But they armed with the power of God, and not the Devil, bearing a Silver cross before them for their Banner, and the Image of our Lord and Saviour painted on a Table, and singing Litanies, prayed unto the Lord for the eternal salvation of themselves, and of those for whose sakes and to whom they were come. But when with the Kings leave, sitting down, they had preached the Word of life to him and to all his Nobles that were with him, the King made Answer,

saying, The words and promises which Ye have made are indeed fair; but unto which, as being new and uncertain, I cannot suddenly yield my assent; laying aside the Religion I have so long maintained with all the English Nation. But because ye are strangers, and come a great way, and, as it seems to me, would impart to us the knowledge of things you believe the truest and best, we will not in the least give you any molestation, but rather courteously receive you, and take care that all things necessary shall be provided for your maintenance, neither do we prohibit, but that ye may gain all ye can to the Faith of your Religion.

And accordingly he alotted them their residence in the City of Canterbury (which was the Metropolis of all his Kingdom) neither did he abridge them of the freedom of meeting, of preaching, or neglect their temporal provision. It is reported, that when they came nigh to the City, after their manner with the holy Cross, and the Image of the great King our Lord Jesus Christ, with an agreeable-voice they sang this Litany. We pray thee, O Lord, in thy mercy, that thy sury may be turned away, and thy Anger from this City, and thy holy House, because we have sinned. Allelujah.

But when they came to the Dwellings provided for them, they began to imitate the Apostolical life of the Primitive Church, by applying themselves to continual prayers, watchings, and fastings, to the preaching the Word of God to all that would hear them, by despising all things of this World as superfluous, and receiving only those things that were necessary for those they taught for their sustenance, living ex∣actly according to the Rules they taught others, having a mind ready to suffer any Adversity, even to die for the truth that they preached. The success of which was, some believed and were baptized, admiting the simplicity of their innocent lives, and the sweetness of their heavenly doctrine.

There was near this City towards the East a Church anciently built in honour of St. Martyn, whilst the Romans inhabited Britain, in which the Queen, whom above we declared to have been a Christian, was wont to pray. In this therefore first they begun to assemble, sing, pray, perform Mass; preach and baptize, until the King be∣ing converted to the Faith, they obtained a greater liberty of Preaching every where, and of building and repairing Churches. But when he among the rest, being de∣lighted with the pure life of these Saints, and their sweet Promises, the truth of which they confirmed by shewing many Miracles, believing was baptized; many flocked in from all parts to hear the word, and leaving the Rites of Heathenism, joyned themselves to the unity of the holy Church of Christ; at whose Faith and Conversion the King is reported so far to have congratulated, as nevertheless not compels any to receive Christianity, only those that believed he embraced with a nearer affection, as fellow-Citizens with him of the heavenly Kingdom; For he had learnt from the Teachers and Authors of his salvation, that the service of Christ ought to be voluntary, not constrained, neither did he deser long, but gave his Teachers places befitting their Degrees in his Metropolis of Canterbury, and con∣ferred upon them Possessions necessary in several kinds, in the year of Christ 601.

THE ANSWERS OF GREGORY TO THE QUESTIONS SENT BY AUGUSTINE The first Arch-Bishop of CANTERBURY,

For the better government of the new erected Church of English-Saxons. Out of Bede's Hist. Ecclesiast. lib. 1. cap. 27.

IN the mean while Augustine the Man of God came to Arles, and by Etherius Archbishop of the same City (according to the Commands he received from the holy Father Gregory) was ordained Archbishop of the English. Return∣ing therefore into Britain, he sent immediately to Rome, Lawrence the Priest and Peter the Monk, to certifie Pope Gregory that the Christian Faith was re∣ceived by the English, and that he himself was made Bishop; desiring also his opinion in certain Questions he thought necessary to be resolved in, to all which he speedily received Answers proper to the Questions proposed, which we thought fit here to insert into our History.

The first Question of Augustine, Bishop of the Church of Canterbury.

Of Bishops, how they should converse with their Clergy, of those things that are pre∣sented to the Altar by the offerings of the Faithful? how many portions there ought to be? and, how a Bishop ought to behave himself in the Church.

The Answer of Gregory, Pope of the City of Rome.

How Bishops ought to act in the Church, the Holy Scripture witnesses, which you understand very well no doubt, and especially the Epistles of St. Paul to Timothy, in which he endeavors to teach him, how he ought to behave himself in the House of God. And it was ever the custome of the Apostolick See, to deliver Instructions to Bishops that were ordained; that out of every thing that came to the Altar there ought to be made four divisions, viz. One for the Bishop and his family, for hospitality and en∣tertainments the second for the Clergy, the third for the Poor, and the fourth for repairing Churches: But because your Brotherhood is well skilled in the Orders of a Monastery, you know nothing ought to be possest by the Clergy apart in your English Church, which lately by God's grace is brought to the Faith; it ought to imitate the Conversion which was used by our Fathers in the beginning of the Church, among whom, none said any thing was his of those things he possessed, but all things were in common among them.

The second Question of Augustine.

I desire to be informed whether Pr〈8 letters〉〈8 letters〉 able 〈◊〉〈◊〉 marry? and if they shall marry, whether they must 〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉

This Question Bede hath not, but joyne the following Answer to the first Question; Sr. Hen. Spelman hath added in out of the Bath Edition, An. 1518.

The Answer of Gregory.

If there be any of the Clergy out of holy Orders that cannot contain they ought to provide themselves Wives and to receive their stipends from without, because concerning those portions which we have spoken of before, we know 'tis written, that 'twas divided to every one, as every one had need, And, indeed, there ought some consideration and care to be had of their Stipends, that they may be kept under Ec∣clesiastical Rules, that they shew good Manners in their lives, that they may be dili∣gent in singing Psalms, and that they keep, by God's assistance, their hearts, tongues and bodies pure from all unlawful things. What necessity is there of making a long discourse of dividing Portions, of shewing Hospitality, and of doing Mercy to those that live a Common life when all that is overplus is to be bestowed upon Pious and Religious uses? the Lord our Master teaching us all what remains, bestow in Alms, and hold all things are clean unto you, Luke the 11th.

The third Question of Augustine.

Since there is but one Faith, why are there divers customes of Churches? One custome of Mass in the holy Roman Church, and another in those of Gaul?

The Answer of Gregory.

Your Brotherhood knows the Custome of the Roman Church, in which you may remember you were bred; but it is my pleasure, that if you can find either in the Roman Church, or those of Gaul, or in any other Church any thing more pleasing to God, carefully choose it, and what things soever you can gather from many Churches of honest Institution, introduce them into the English Church, which as yet is young in the Faith; for things are not to be beloved for the places, but places for the good things in them. Out of every Church therefore choose what is Pious, Religious, and Right, and gather them together, as it were in a bundle, and by practice infuse them into the minds of the English.

The fourth Question of Augustine.

I beseech you, what punishment ought to be inflicted on him that commits Sacriledge?

The Answer of Gregory.

This your Brotherhood may understand from the person of the Thief, how he ought to be corrected; for there are some that have found ways to commit thest, and there are others that offend in this nature out of necessity; From whence it follows, that, some are to be punished with fines, others with stripes, some more severely, others more gentily; and when you proceed against any with more rigour than ordinary, you must do it out of charity, not fury; because 'tis done to him that is punished with this in∣tent, that he might not be committed to Holl fire. For we ought to instruct the Faith∣ful so, as good Fathers are wont their carnal Children, whom, for their faults, they whip, and yet they desire that those whom they thus afflict should be their heirs, and care∣fully keep for them whatsoever they possess, whom angrily they thus seem to tor∣ment. Alwales therefore keep in your mind this charity which suggests a mean in chastizing, so that the mind can do nothing without the rule of Reason. Perhaps you way ask, How these things that are taken by stealth from the Church may be resto∣red? but God forbid that the Church should receive with increase for the loss of Earthly things, or go about to make advantage of vain trifles,

The fifth Question of Augustine.

Whether two own Brothers may marry two own Sisters, which are removed from them by many degrees;?

The Answer of Gregory.

This is certainly lawful, for we find nothing in inholy Writ that seems to contra∣dict this point in the least.

The sixth Question of Augustine.

To what degree the Faithful may marry with their kindred? and, * 1.33 whether it be lawful for Stepmothers and their kindred in Law to be joyned in wedlock &

Gregory's Answer.

A certain Secular law in the Roman Common wealth permits, that whether Brother and Sister, or the son and daughter of two own Brothers, or two own Sisters may mar∣ry; but we haue learnt by experience, that from such kind of Marriages no issue can be produced, and holy Writ forbids the uncovering of the Nakedness of our near kindred, from whence it follows, that the third and fourth generation of the Faith∣ful may lawfully marry. To be joyned in marriage with ones Mother-in-law is a great sin, for 'tis written in the Law, Thou shalt not uncover thy Father's nakedness, neither indeed may a Son discover the nakedness of his Father; but because 'tis written, they shall be two in one flesh, he that shall presume to uncover the nakedness of his Stepmother, which was one flesh with his Father, hath certainly uncovered his Fa∣ther's nakedness.

'Tis forbidden also to marry a near Relation-in-law, because by the former it was made as the flesh of the Brother, for which thing John the Baptist was beheaded, and ended his life in holy Martyrdom, on whom it was not imposed to deny Christ, and yet he was slain for confessing Christ; but because our Lord Jesus Christ had said, I am the Truth, and because John was killed for the truth, he poured out his blood for Christ.

The seventh Interrogation of Augustine.

I desire to know, whether a Divorce may be issued out against those that are married unlawfully? and, whether they may be denied the benefit of the Communion?

The Answer of Gregory.

Because there are many in England which still remain in Infidelity, that are re∣ported to be joyned in wicked and unlawful Matrimony, when they shall come to the Faith, they are to be admonished that they abstain, and made to understand that it is a grievous sin. Let them stand in fear of the terrible Judgment of God, lest for a lit∣tle carnal pleasure they incur eternal torments; nevertheless they are not for this thing to be deprived of the Communion of the body and blood of our Lord, lest we should seem to punish those things in them, in which they had bound themselves through ignorance before the Laver of Baptism. For in these times the holy Church corrects some things with rigour, some things out of mildness it tolerates, and other things it wisely dissembles, and so bears with some faults, and winks at them, as at last what it disliketh, by forbearances and seeming connivance it overcometh; and all that are brought to the Faith are to be admonished, that they commit no such thing, and if any shall, they are to be deprived of the Communion of the body and blood of our Lord; because as in those things which they did through ignorance, the fault in some measure is to be born withal, so it ought resolutely to be prosecuted in those that are most afraid knowingly to offend.

The eight Interrogation of Augustine.

If for the great distance of places Bishops cannot easily meet, whether a Bishop may be ordained without the presence of other Bishops?

The Answer of Gregory.

Certain it is in the Church of the English, in which as yet there is no other Bishop but your self, you can ordain a Bishop no other way than without Bishops, for when can Bishops come from Gaul, that may assist, as witnesses at the ordination of a Bi∣shop? But we would that your Brotherhood should so ordain Bishops, that they be not too far disjoyned from one another, that there may be no hindrance, but that at the ordination of a Bishop others may be present, other Pastors also whose pre∣sence is very requisit, ought to have easie means of access. When therefore Bishops shall be so ordained in places near one another, the ordination of a Bishop ought never to be without three or four Bishops assisting; For in Spiritual things, that they may be wisely and maturely managed, we may draw an example from carnal things. When Marriages are to be celebrated in the World, married people are invited, that they which are gone in the path of Matrimony before, may be partakers in the joys

of the subsequent wedding. Why therefore in this Spiritual Ordination, by which, man through the holy Mystery is joyned unto God, ought not such to meet, who may either rejoyce at the advancement of the Bishop that is to be Ordained, or pour out their prayers equally to Almighty God for his protection.

The ninth Interrogation of Augustine.

How ought we to behave our selves towards the Bishops of Gaul and Britain?

Gregory's Answer.

We allow you no Authority over the Bishops of Gaul, because in the ancient times of my Predecessors the Bishop of Arles received the Pall, of which Authority we ought in no wise to deprive him. If therefore it should so fall out, that your Brotherhood should make a journey into the Provinces of Gaul, you ought to treat with the same Bishop of Arles, how (if there be any misdemeanors among the Bi∣shops) they may be corrected, who if he be cold in inflicting Discipline, he is to be stirred up with the zeal of your Brotherhood, to whom also we have wrote Letters, that when your Holiness should come into Gaul, he would assist you with all his heart, and quell those things that are contrary to the Commandment of our Creatour, in the life and manners of Bishops. But you cannot judge any of the Bishops of Gaul by your own Authority; but by perswasions and fair speednes, and by proposing good works to their imitation, you may reduce the minds of the wicked to the study of Holiness, for it's written in the Law, When thou commest into the standing Corn of thy neighbour, thou shalt not put a sickle unto it, but thou maist pluck the Ears with thy hand and eat, Deut. 23. 25. For you cannot put the sickle of Authority into that Corn, which seems committed to the charge of another, but by the effects of good works you may take from the Corn of the Lord the chaff of its Vices, and you may by admonishing and perswading, as it were by eating, convert to the body of the Church. But whatsoever is to be done by Authority, you must consult, about it, the aforesaid Bishop of Arles, left that be omitted, which the Ancient wisdom of our Fathers invented. But all the Bishops of Britain we commit to your Brotherhood, that the ignorant may be taught, the weak, by perswasions, strengthned, and the per∣verse corrected by Authority.

The tenth Interrogation of Augustine.

If a Woman with child may be Baptized? or after she hath brought forth, after how long time may she enter into the Church? or lest what she has brought forth be prevented by death, after how many daies may it lawfully receive the Sacrament of holy Baptism? or, after how long time may her Husband be joyned with her in Carnal copulation? or whether, if she be troubled with her terms, it be lawful for her to come to Church, or to receive the Sacrament of the holy Communion? or, whether a man that has lain with his wife, may enter into the Church before he is washed with water? or, whether he may come to the ministery of the holy Communion? In all which things the rude Nation of the English ought to be satisfied.

Gregory's Answer.

I doubt not but your Brotherhood by this time is satisfied in what I have just now given Answer, but I suppose, you urge whatever you can say or think, that you may be confirmed by my Answer.

Why should not a Woman with child be baptized, since the fruitfulness of the flesh is no offence to Almighty God? For when our First Parents had sinned in Para∣dise, they forfeited the Immortality they had received by the just judgment of God; because therefore Almighty God would not utterly extinguish in them all Mankind for their fault, he deprived man of Immortality for their offence, and yet out of the goodness of his grace, he left him the fruitfulness of his Issue. What therefore is re∣served for Human Nature by the gift of Almighty God, by what reason can it be prohibited the favour of holy Baptism? For in that mystery in which all our sins are utterly swallowed up, 'tis very foolish to think that the gift of Grace should any waies seem to contradict it. When a Woman shall have brought forth, after how ma∣ny daies may she enter the Church, is manifest, from a Precept of the Old Testament, which runs thus: If a Woman have conceived seed, and born a child, she shall continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty daies; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor

come into the Sanctuary until the daies of her purifying be fulfilled; but if she bear a Maid-child, she shall continue in the blood of her purifying three score and six daies, which ought to be understood and taken mystically; For if in the same hour she brought forth she should enter into the Church to give Thanks, she cannot be charged with any offence, for the pleasure of the flesh, not the pain, is in fault; For in the joyning of the flesh is pleasure, but in the delivery of Children, pain, whence that was said to the first Mother of us all that had transgressed the Commandment of God. I will greatly multiply thy sorrow, and thy conception, in sorrow shalt thou bring forth Children; if therefore we forbid a Woman, that has brought forth, to enter into the Church, we esteem her punishment her fault.

It is by no means forbidden to baptize a Woman newly delivered, or the Infant newly born, if there be danger of death, no not in the very instant of the delivery, or the first birth of the Child, because as the grace of the holy Mystery is to be provi∣ded for the living with great discretion, so it ought to be offered without any de∣lay to those that are at the point of death, lest that whilst we take too much time for the offering the mystery of Redemption, through a little delay we are not able to find him that should be redeemed.

The husband ought not to go in to his wife, until such time as the child which is brought forth is weaned. And it is a bad custome that has prevailed in the manners of married people, that women neglect to nurse their own children, and deliver them to other women to be nursed which thing seems to have been invented merely on the score of incontinence, because, whilst they will not contain themselves, they despise to suckle those they bring forth. These therefore, that out of a wicked custom de∣liver their children to others to be nursed, ought not to lie with their husbands before the time of their purgation be over.

Moreover, when Women, that have not brought forth, suffer their Monthly Terms, they ought to be prohibited the use of their husbands; so that the holy Law pu∣nishes with death, if any man lye with a menstruous Woman, which Woman never∣theless, whilst she suffers her monthly Terms, ought not to be forbidden entrance into the Church, because the superfluity of Nature ought not to be accounted a fault in her, and for what she unwillingly suffers, it is not just to debar her coming into the Church. For we know, that the Woman, which was troubled with a flux of Blood, coming humbly behind our Lord, touched the hem of his Garment, and pre∣sently her infirmity departed from her. If therefore she, having a Flux of blood upon her, might praise-worthy, touch the garment of our Lord, why should it not be lawful for her, that suffers her menstruous Terms, to enter into the Church of God? But you may say that infirmity compelled her, so also those, whom we speak of, are compelled by their Terms: Consider therefore (my dear Brother) because whatever we suffer in this frail flesh, out of the infirmity of nature, was by the judgment of God appointed after the fall. For to be an hungry, to thirst, to be hot, to be cold, to be a weary, is from the infirmity of nature, and what is it otherwise to provide food against hunger, drink against thirst, air against heat, rayment against cold, rest against weariness, than to find out some Medicine against our Diseases?

Women therefore and their menstruous issues are Diseases, if therefore she did well, that in her grief touched the garment of our Lord, which was gran∣ted to one infirm person, why should it not be granted to all Women, which are ren∣dered infirm by the corruption of Nature?

Therefore the receiving of the Mystery of the holy Communion at these times ought not to be prohibited, but if out of a reverent fear, she shall not presume to receive, she is to be commended; But if she shall receive, not to be censured, for 'tis the sign of a good mind, even there after a manner to acknowledg a fault, where there is none, because we many times do things in themselves without a fault, which proceeded from a fault. We are an hungry without fault, by eating proceeds from a fault. It proceeds from the first Man that we are an hungry, for the Menstruous terms are faults in women, because they come naturally, but nevertheless, because nature it self is so corrupted, that it may seem to be polluted without the bent of the evil. From offence came corruption, by which human Nature may know what through the judgment of God 'tis come to, and the man, which of his own accord committed the fault, bore the guilt of it unwillingly. And therefore women when

they consider their condition, if they shall not presume, during their Menstruous terms to come to the Sacrament of the Lord's body and blood, they are to be praised for this their honest consideration. But if out of a custome of a Religious life, by receiving they are transported with the love of the same mystery, they are not, as we said before, to be restrained from it; For as in the Old Testament, the outward works were to be observed: so in the New Testament, not that so much as is done outwardly, as that which is inwardly thought on is carefully to be lookt after, that it may be kept under by strict examination. For when the Law forbids many things to be eaten, as unclean, in the Gospel the Lord saies, Not that, that enters into the mouth defiles a man, but those things that come out of the mouth defile him, Matt. 15. 17. And a little after he adds by the way of exposition, from the heart proceed all evil thoughts, where 'tis largely shewn, that that appears polluted to Almighty God indeed, which proceeds from the root of corrupt Cogitation. Whence Paul also the Apostle saies, To the pure all things are pure, but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving, no∣thing is pure; And a little after shewing the cause of this defiling, he adds, but even their mind and conscience is defiled. If therefore his meat is not unclean to him whose mind is not unclean, why should that which a Woman endued with a pure heart suf∣fers from nature, be accounted in her uncleanness? And a man sleeping with his own wife, unless he is washed with water ought not to enter into the Church, neither pre∣sently after his washing may he enter, for the Law commanded the ancient People, that a man that had lain with a woman ought to be washed with water, and not to en∣ter into the Church before Sun-set, which nevertheless may be understood in a spiri∣tual sense, because, unless the fire of Concupiscence be before allayed in the mind, he ought not to look upon himself as worthy the Congregation of his Brethren, who seems loaded with the wickedness of a depraved will. Although many Nations think diversly of this thing, and seem to retain different customes, yet this was alwaies the use of the Romans from the eldest times, that after a man had lain with his wife, he was to endeavour his cleansing by the Laver, and to abstain somewhat reverently from entring into the Church. Neither by saying these things do we make Marriage a fault, but because the very lawful copulation it self cannot be done without the pleasure of the flesh, we ought to abstain from coming into an Holy place, because the pleasure it self can no wales be free from fault, for he was not born in adultery or fornication, but in lawful wedlock, that said, Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in fiu did my mother conceive me; For he that knew himself to be conceived in iniquity, bewailed himself that he was born of sin, for the tree bears the same vicious humour in its branches, which it drew from the root. In which words, he does not call the copulation of married people Iniquity, but the pleasure that results from that ad∣mixtion; For there are many things that are lawful and right, by which in their acts we are defiled, as oftentimes we angrily prosecute enormities, and disturb the peace of our minds within us, when indeed, what we did was right, but no wales approvable, for that our mind was thereby disturbed; for 'twas against the wickedness of Male-factor she was angry that said, Mine tye is troubled for very Anger, because nothing but a calm mind is able to continue in the brightness of Contemplation, he was sorry that his eye was troubled through anger, for whilst he persecuted wicked actions below, he was confounded and forced from the contemplation of the highest things. Therefore Anger is commendable against Vice, yet troublesome, because he that is disturbed by it, thinks himself in some sort guilty.

Therefore the lawful copulation of the flesh ought to be, for Issues sake, not for pleasure; and joyning of the flesh ought to be for the procreation of Children, not for the satisfaction of our vices. If therefore any man makes use of his wife, not hurried there unto by the transport of pleasure, but only for procreation sake, he surely, whether it be concerning entrance into the Church, or the receiving the my∣stery of the body and blood of our Lord, ought to be left to his own judgment, be∣cause he cannot be prohibited receiving by us, who being in the midst of fire knows not how to burn, but when no desire of procreation, but pleasure predominates, there results from such a conjunction what husbands ought to bewail; For this the ho∣ly Preacher allows them, yet by that very grant their mind is disturbed by fear, for the Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians, saies, He that cannot contain himself let him take to him a wife, and presently he took care to add, but I speak this by per∣mission

and not of Commandement, for that is not permitted which is lawful be∣cause it is just, therefore because he said by permission, he made it manifest to be a fault; but we ought to weigh with a careful mind, that the Lord when he was about to speak to the people on Mount Sinai, commanded the same people, first to abstain from Women; and if, where the Lord spoke by a Creature subject to men, the clea∣ness of the flesh with so much care was requisite, that they which heard the words of the Lord were not to meddle with Women; by how much more ought Women, which receive the body of our Almighty Lord, to observe the cleaness of their flesh, lest they be overwhelmed by the very greatness of that inestimable Mystery? Hence also't was spoke to David by the priest concerning his young men, That if they were clean from Women they might receive the shew-bread, which they could never have done, unless David before had acknowledged, that they were clean from Women; Then a man after the lying with his Wife, if he shall be washed with water, may be capable of receiving the mystery of the Holy Communion, when, accor∣ding to the determined Sentence, he may lawfully enter the Church.

The eleventh Interrogation of Augustine.

If after Illusion, which commonly happens, in Dreams one may receive the body of our Lord, or, if he be a Priest, celebrate the Holy Mysteries.

Gregory's Answer.

Such a one the Testament of the old, as we have said in the Chapter above, de∣clares to be polluted, and does not allow him, unless washed with water, to enter in∣to the Congregation till the Evening, which not withstanding a spiritual people un∣derstanding it otherwise will take in the same sense, we have spoke of above, be∣cause he is deceived, as it were in a dream. He that is tempted through uncleanness, by real appearances, is defiled in his thoughts, but he is to be cleansed by water, that he may wash away with tears the impurity of his Cogitations, and unless the fire of Temptation first be allayed, he ought to acknowledg himself guilty, as it were, till evening. But there is a distinction in this kind of Illusion very necessary, which ought carefully to be weighed, from what cause it happens to him that sleeps; For sometimes it proceeds from surfeiting, sometimes from the superfluity or infirmity of nature, and sometimes from thought, so that when it shall happen from the super∣fluity and infirmity of Nature, such an illusion is no way to be feared, because the mind being unsensible of it, is rather to be lamented that it suffered it, than that it did it. When also the appetite is carried away beyond reason in taking in its nourishment, and on that account the receptacles of humours are overcharged, the mind thereby has contracted some guilt, but not so far that it should be forbid the receiving the holy mystery, or of celebrating the solemnity of the Mass. For if perchance an Holy day, or an Administration of the mystery require his presence (for that there is never another Priest in the place) necessity it self enforces it. For if there are o∣thers present, that can lawfully administer that mystery, the Illusion which hap∣pened through overcharging ought not to hinder him from receiving the holy My∣stery; But he ought, in my mind, humbly to abstain from the Immolation of the ho∣ly Mystery, although it disturbed not his mind, when he was sleeping, with any fil∣thy Imagination. For there are those to whom Illusions oftentimes happen, whose minds though engaged in the sleep of the body, are not defiled by filthy Imaginati∣ons.

From hence there is one thing manifest, that the mind it self is guilty, neither is it free in it's own Judgment; for although it remembers it saw nothing in the body sleeping, yet it may remember, when the body was awake, that it fell into Glutto∣ny. If therefore Illusions in sleep arise from our filthy thoughts, when we are awake, the mind is apparently guilty; for it sees from what root that pollution proceeded, because, what it knowingly thought on, it ignorantly brought forth. But we ought to consider whether such thoughts arise from suggestion, delectation, or what is worse, from consent of sin, for all sin is perfected three kind of ways. 1. By sugge∣stion. 2. Delectation. 3. Consent. Suggestion proceeds from the Devil, Delectation from the flesh, and Consent from the spirit. For the first fault the Serpent suggested, Eve as flesh was delighted, and Adam as spirit consented.

And certainly great distinction is necessary, that the mind which is its own Judge,

might distinguish between suggestion and delectation, and between delectation and consent. For when an evil Spirit puts sin into the mind, if no pleasure from the sin follow, that sin is not at all committed, but when the flesh begins to be delighted, then the sin begins to commence, and if afterwards upon mature deliberation it con∣sents, then the sin is known to be perfected. In suggestion therefore is the beginning of the sin, in delectation the nourishment, and in consent the perfection of it. And it often falls out, that what an evil spirit suggests to the mind, the flesh turns into de∣lectation, and yet the mind consents not to that delectation; and since the flesh can∣not be pleased without the mind, the mind strugling against the pleasures of the flesh, is, as it were, against its own Will obliged by the pleasures of the flesh, so that from reason it resists it, neither does it at all consent, and yet it is so fettered by this de∣lectation, that it earnestly bewails its bonds: from whence that great Souldier of the Heavenly army cried out, saying, Rom. 7. 23. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. But if he was a Captive he did not fight; and if he did fight why was he a Captive? He warred therefore against the law of his mind, which the law in his members resisted; but if he fought he was no captive. Behold therefore a man (as I may say) both captive and free, free by the righteousness he loved, and captive from the delectation he bore about him unwillingly.

Thus far are the Answers of Holy Pope Gregory to the Questions of the most Reverend Bishop Augustine.

A SYNOD called by Augustine first Archbishop of Canterbury, by the assistance of Ethelbert King of Kent, to Augustine's Ac, a place in Worcestershire; There being present besides, Augustine and his Roman Clergy, seven Bishops, and many British Doctours, to wit, in two Sessions, in which Augustine first demands obedience to the Church of Rome, afterwards that the Britains be conformable to the Romans in three things, 1. In cele∣brating of Easter. 2. In the administration of Baptism. 3. In the preaching with him to the English-Saxons.

AUgustine by the power of King Ethelbert called to a Conference the Bishops or Doctors of the greatest and next adjoyning Province of the Britains, to a place at this very day in the English tongue called Augustineizac (i. e.) Augustine's Oak, in the confines of the Wiccians and South-Saxons, where he began to perswade them with a Brotherly admonition, that regarding the peace of the Catholick Church, they would unite their endeavours to his in the common Preaching to the Nations, for they did not keep the Lord's day of Easter at its due season, but from the fourteenth to the twentieth day of the Moon, which computation is contained in the circle of eighty four years. Moreover they observed many things contrary to the unity of the Church; who, when after a long disputation, could not be brought either by the prayers, exhortations or threats of Augustine and his Companions to yield their assent, but rather valued their own Traditions above all the Churches In the World, under Christ. Holy Father Augustine put an end to this long and diffi∣cult Controversie, saying, We beseeth God, which makes us to dwell in the house of his Father with one accord, that he would be pleased to inspire us with his heavenly gifts, that we may know what Traditions are to be followed, which waies we ought to take to en∣ter into his kingdom. Let some sick person be brought, and by whose prayers he shall be cured, let his faith and labours be looked 〈◊〉〈◊〉 most pleasing to God, and as fit to be em∣braced

by all men; which when his Adversaries, though unwillingly assented to, there was one brought of the English Nation that was deprived of the light of his eyes, who after he had been set before the British Priests, and could receive no help or cure from their ministery, at length Augustine compelled thereunto by a just necessi∣ty, bended his knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, beseeching him that he would restore to the Blind the sight he had lost, and that by the bodily enlightning of one man, he would cause the light of his spiritual Grace to arise in the hearts of all the Faithful. Neither was it long before the Blind was enlightned, and Augustine cried up by all the true preachers of heavenly light; Then the Britains confessed, that they themselves indeed thought that to be the'true way of Righteousness which Augustine preached, but that they could not lay aside their Ancient customes, without the consent and free leave of their whole Nation.

Whence they desired that there might be another Synod called to which more might come, which when it was agreed on, there came (as is reported) seven British Bishops, and many Learned men from their famous Monastery, which in the English tongue is called Bancornaburg, over which at that time Abbot Dinoth is said to have presided, who a little before their going to the aforesaid Councel, went first to a certain Man both holy and wise, who led an Anchorite's life among them; They asked him, whether they should lay aside their Traditions at the preaching of Augu∣stine? who made answer; If he is a man of God follow him; they said, how shall we know this? he replied, The Lord saies, take my yoke upon you, for I am meek and hum∣ble in heart; if therefore Angustine be meek and humble in heart, it is credible that he himself beareth the yoke of Christ, and offereth the same to be born of you; But if he be cruel and proud, it appeareth that he is not of God, neither ought ye to take care what he saith. They said again, but how shall we make a discovery of that? he said, Con∣trive it so, that he and his come first into the place of the Synod, and if he shall rise up to you as you come near, know ye that he is the Servant of Christ, and obediently hear him; but if he shall despise you, nor rise up to you, when ye are more in number, let him be slighted by you also. They did as he had said, and it sell out that Augustine, as they drew near, sate still in his Chair, which when they saw, they grew presently angry, accusing him of pride, and endeavoured in all things he said to contradict him.

He said unto them, Ye do many things contrary to our custome, and that of the Catho∣lick Church, nevertheless if ye will obey me in these three things; That ye celebrate Easter in its proper time; That ye perform the ministery of Baptism, by which we are born again to God, according to the custome of the holy Roman and Apostolick Church; That ye preach the Word of God together with, us to the English Nation; as for the other things which ye do, although contrary to our customes, we will quietly to∣lerate them all; But they made answer, that they would do none of those things, nei∣ther would they acknowledge him for an Archbishop; discoursing therefore among themselves, they said, If he would not just now rise up unto us, how much more, when we are subject to him, will be then condemn us as nothing? To whom Augustine the Man of God is reported thus threatningly to have Prophesied, If ye will not accept of peace with your Brethren, ye are like to accept of war from your Enemies; and because ye would not preach the way of life to the Nation of the English, ye shall suffer by their hands the punishment of death; which in every thing, the divine Judgment concur∣ring, was performed as he had foretold, for a little after, Edilfrid the strongest King of the English, having gathered together a great Army about the City of Chester, which by the English is called Legacester, but truer by the Britains, Carlegion, he made a great slaughter of that Nation, but when he was going to give the Onset, he espied Priests of theirs, who were come thither to intreat God for the success of the Army, standing apart on a place of advantage, he asked, who they were, and for what business they had met there? Most of them were of the Monastery of Bangor, in which there is reported to have been such a number of Monks, that when the whole Monastery was divided into seven parts, with their Rulers that were set over them, no part contained less than three hundred Men, all which got their living by the labour of their hands. Many of these therefore after a Fast of three daies came with some others merely on the account of Prayer, to the aforesaid Army, having one Brocmale by name their Captain, who was to defend them, being intent at their

Prayers, from the Swords of the Barbarians. But when Edilfrid had understood the cause of their coming, he said, If therefore they cry unto their God against us, cer∣tainly they, although they bear no Arms, fight against us, who prosecute us by their Prayers; therefore he commanded the first slaughter to be made upon them, after∣wards he utterly overthrew the rest of the Forces of that wicked Army, yet not without great loss of his own. They report that there were killed in this fight, of those that came to pray, about twelve hundred Men, only fifty escaping by flight.

Brocmale upon the first coming of the Enemy fled away with his Company, leaving those unarmed, and whom he ought to have defended, naked to the hacking Swords of their Enemies. So was fulfilled the Prophecy of the holy Bishop Augu∣stine, although he went to Heaven long before it, that such perfidious people might feel the revenge of a temporal death, who despised the advice offered them of eternal salvation.

The Answer of the Abbot of Bangor to Augustine the Monk, requiring subjection to the Church of Rome.

Bid ipfisBe it known aand diogelwithout doubt i chwi yn,unto you, bod ni holl unthat we all are ac arral ynand every one of us uviddobedient acand ynn ostingedigsubjects i Eglwys Duw,to the Church of God, acand ic Paabto the Pope o Ruvain,of Rome, acand i boobto every kyar grissdion dwyual,godly Christian, y garuto love pawbevery one yn i raddin his degree mewnin kariad parfaich,perfect charity, acand i helpioto help pawbevery one o honaunt,of them, ar airby word aand guec-threddeed ito vodbe ynn blantthe children y Duw:of God: acand amgenach wyddodother obedience na hwnthan this nidadwent vodI do not know due it nebto him yr yddeck chwiwhom you name y benwi yn Paab,to be Pope, ne in Daad o Daad:nor to be the Father of Fathers: ywto be gleimioclaimed acand yw ouunn,to be demanded, ac uvyddod hivnand this obedience idden niwe are yn varedready yw roddeto give acand yw daluto pay iddo efto him acand i pabto every krisdionChristian yn dragwiddolcontinually. heuid yrBesides ydym niwe are danunder the lywodrathgovernment Esgobof the Bishop kaerllionof Kaerleon ar wysc,upon Uske, yr hienwho ysiddis yn oligwrto overseedanunder DuwGod arnom ni,over us, y wneuthudto cause i nius gadwrto keep fforddthe way ysbrydol.spiritually.

The Abbot of Bangor, which gave Augustine this Answer was, without doubt, the renowned Dinoth, as will appear afterwards in a Norman Manuscript: 'Tis manifest also as well from his Answer as from those that are related above by Bede, that the British Church at that time acknowledged no Subjection either to the Roman Bishop or any other forraign Patriarch; neither had it any Communion with the Roman Church, but 'twas subject as from the days of Eleutherius, to a Metropolitan of its own (as to the Pope or Patriarch of another World) the Archbishop of Kaerleon, who, as 'tis reported, acknowledged no superior in dignity, but yn obligar Dan Dum, under God governed the Church and People committed to his Charge without any o∣ther sharer in his Authority; they had received the Eastern-Customs, and the Asia∣tich rather than the Roman.

But who will not judge, that Augustine behaved himself towards these poor Bri∣tains very uncharitably, by taking away on a sudden their old Customs, and introdu∣cing as suddenly new? especially when his great Master Gregory had advised him to proceed in that business with more moderation, in several Churches bore with several Customs, neither would he that the Roman Rites themselves should every where be imposed, but wisely considered the Custom of the place, the circumstance of time, and the Constitution of Believers. For he said, things are not to be loved for the places sake, but places to be beloved for the good things in them, see his Answer to the third Question of Augustine.

Amongst these things I desire to know, how came it to pass that the Bishops of Ka∣erleon, otherwise of Menew, and their Successors, (who from the age of King Luci∣us to the very days of Augustine, that is almost 400 years, enjoyed the priviledges of a Metropolitan, and were called Archbishops, being by no Synod, as I know of, driven out) could, without any Crime, be deprived of their Province and ancient Jurisdiction? But it is enough that it was dorse by Augustine, for his Party defend all their own actions stifly, together with that horrible Massacre he contrived for the British Clergy. For they say 'twas sent from God for the better confirmation of their Traditions, and Doctrine, whilst others urge, that Augustine himself was the greatest setter forward of this action, and encouraged King Edilfred to the same. But if a true discovery of this business (as many would have it) may be had from the event, we are to think otherwise of this Butchery than they have delivered, and that God himself abhorred such cruelty. For when Edilfred, King of the Northumbrians, and Exe∣cutioner of Augustine's wrath, had committed so great a slaughter upon the innocent Monks of Bangor at Leicester, and was triumphally making haste to destroy their re∣mains with their famous Monastery, there met him three British Princes, the reven∣gers of God's anger, who confounded the Northumbrian King with his whole Army, reeking in the blood of those poor Innocents, they killed ten thousand and threescore, and put the wounded King with some others to flight, as God seemed to come down into the Army against those Augustians in behalf of those innocent Monks of Bangor, and to have taken vengeance for their blood.

To excuse Augustine of this Blood-shed, Bede is cited, who saith that he was dead many years before; but if the time of his sitting Arch-bishop be truly computed 16 years, he must survive this Action, and in the Book de Antiquitate Ecclesiae Anglica∣nae, printed at London in the year 1572. it is said, that those words of Bede, wherein Augustine is mentioned to have been dead long before, were foisted into the printed Copy of Bede; by the Romanists, contrary to the current of all Saxon Manuscripts. But the general opinion grounded on Charity, and the good Life and Miracles of Au∣gustine, however in some things he might be blameable, hath acquitted him of acting in so bloody a Murder. Neither do all the Romanists attribute the slaughter of those Monks to the Judgment of God inflicted on them for their rejecting the Rites and Customs of the Romish Church. A Testimony hereof may be evidently shewn out of an old Manuscript, written about four hundred years agoe, in the ancient Dialect of the Normans by Nicholaus Trevet, a Dominican Fryar, who thus telleth the story.

OF THE Famous MONASTERY OF BANGOR, AND THE Conference held between AUGUSTINE, and DINOTH Abbot of that place.

DOnc puis que Seint Augustin lestoit venuz, trova en Wales un Arce∣vesque, & un Abbeie tresnoble en la cite de Bangor e estoit devisee en sept por∣tions, e en chescune estoient tres cenz moines q' vivoient de lur labour. Lur Abbe fu apele Dinooth sage elerc, e ben apris en les sept arz que sont libe∣rals apelez. E qnant Seint Augustine li auoit perle, li demaunda subjection a li com a celi qestoit mande legat en la terre per le Pape e per la court de Rome. Et outre ceo, li priast q'il li eidast de prae∣cher. Mes il li denia l'un e l'autre, Puis apres la mort Seint Augustin, Adel∣berd Roy de Kent trop corouce entisa Ethelfrid Roy de Northumbre e les au∣tres Rois de Sessons, encountre le dit Dinooth Abbe de Bangor, pour ceo qu'il auoit despit Seint Augustin.

L'an de grace sis cenze e unze e fu set son successor, Laurens. A cel temps E∣thelfrid Roy de Northumbre a la re∣quest Adelberd Roy de Kent sen ala oue graunt ost sur les Britouns, & venant par Leycestre dona bataile a lamestre de la cite Brocmaill e puis q'il auoit ses genz tue e nausre: adrein lenchasa, e puis q'il estoit entre la cite, troua leinz graunt nombre de moines e de hermites q'estoient Britouns, e pour ceo les ocist trestuz al nombre de mil, e deus cenz, dont li auint male fortune.

Quar alant outre vers Bangor encoun∣tre treis Duks de Bretons, cest a sa∣voir Blederik Duc de Cornwaile, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Duc de Demethe q'ore est South∣wales, e Cadwan Duc de Venedoce q'ore est dit Northwales: lur dona bataile, mes il le naufrent e fuerent de ses genz, dis mil e sessaunte. Lors se aniuerent les Princes de Bretons e par acord fe∣soient Canwan le Duc de Venedoce lur Roy. Puis Cadwan pursui Ethelfrid jusques a Humbre, mes il acomparnant a li les Rois de Sessous le reumt encon∣tre, mes acordee estoit par 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cad∣wan regnast de sa Humbre, q'est de part le South, e Ethelfrid de la q'st depart le North.

WHen St. Augustine was come, he found in Wales an Archbishop, and a famous Monastery in the City of Bangor divided into four Societies, every one of which contained three hundred Monks who lived on their own labour. Their Abbot was called Dinoth, a prudent Clerk, and well learned in the seven liberal Sciences; with whom Angustine entring in∣to Conference, demanded subjection to him, as being sent Legat into the land from the Pope and Court of Rome. And moreover, required that he would be assisting to him in preaching but he refused both the one and the other. It sell out that after the death of St. Augustine, Ethelbert King of Kent highly incensed thereat, stirred up Edel∣frid King of Northumberland, and other Saxon Princes against the said Dinoth, Ab∣bot of Bangor, because he had slighted St. Augustine.

And then after other Narratives he go∣eth on;

In the year of Grace 611 his (Augustin's) Successor was Laurence, at which time Edelfrid King of Northumberland, at the instigation of Ethelbert King of Kent, leads a great Host against the Britains, and coming to Leicester gives battel to Broc∣mail Governour of the City, and cutting and hewing apieces his People, puts them to flight. When he was entred the City he found a great number of Monks and Her∣mits, whom, because they were Britains, he slow everyone, to the number 1200, upon which account he had afterwards ill fortune.

For proceeding on towards Bangor, he was met with by three British Captains, viz. Blederick Duke of Cornwal, Mar∣geduc Duke of Demetia, which is South∣wales, and Cadwan Duke of Venedocia, which is North-wales, who giving him battol, wound him, and slay of his Nation ten thousand and sixty. Then the British Princes meet, and with general consent make Cadwan Duke of Venedocia their King, who chased Edilfrid as far as the River Humber, but he making head again, through the assistance of the Saxon Princes, the quarrel was took up by Friends, and agreed that Cadwan should possess all on the South of Humber, Edelfrid the North.

These are the chief Records extant concerning the foundation of the first Christian Church among the English-Saxons, which was begun in Kent under King Ethelbert. But the long Catalogue of Bulls, Charters, and Grants of Lands given by this King, or by Popes, and Archbishops of Canterbury, during his reign, to particular places, Churches, and Societies of Men I have purposely omitted, be∣cause they tend not to the substance of Religion, and being most of them forged, all suspected, shew rather the cunning of later Ages in contriving, than the possible magnificence of these times they are fixed to; when perhaps the simplicity of the Christian Religion, and the poverty of them who first propagated it in the Island, gave no pretence for such large Possessions and Immunities to flow in of a sudden upon them. But it was not long before pomp and state grew up in our Church by the continual influence of Rome, and that most excellent Religion which was ever observed to gain most ground by the meekness and humility of those who professed it, those vertues being spent, and pride and luxury succeeding, was fain to be propped up with Secular advantages; and the life and substance gone, shadows and forms introduced, and Secular liberties being preached up as the interest of Christ, which were ever found to be the most destructive to his Gospel.

ETHELBERT reigned fifty three years; Bede sets his reign higher, and allot∣teth him fifty six years, but it is generally agreed that he died in the year six hundred and seventeen.

EADBALD.

EADBALD, the Son of Ethelbert by his first Wife Birtha, succeeded his * 2.1 Father in the Kingdom of Kent. Being young at his entrance, he was no sooner freed from the awe of his Father, saith Bede, but he renounced the Christian Profession, whose severity was not agreeable with the licence of a Crown, and was likely to prove too great a curb to his exorbitant lusts and unnatural passions. For whether tempting for Lust, or tempted out of an ambition of Rule, he took to wife his Father's second wife, whose Name hath not had the honour of being recor∣ded; And being actually engaged in a sin, which Heathenism it self did alwaies abhor, he made it his business so much the more to discourage Christianity, by how much he knew its Doctrine condemned such Incestuous practices. And now might be seen what influence the Religion of the Prince had upon the lives of the People, for they who had embraced Christianity only, as the Religion most fashionable in the daies of the old King, now thought it as high a piece of Courtship to conform to the present way of worship, their old Idolatry, and now again revived Superstiti∣on. In vain did Lawrence, Successor to Augustine in the See of Canterbury, en∣deavour by diligent preaching to stop the tide of this Apostasie, for preferment at Court, and the Countenance of the Prince, drew more Proselites to Heathenisin, than the good lives and examples of constant Professours could keep true and sincere in the maintenance of the Gospel. But he was not long unpunished, for whether workt by the strength of Education, which suffereth, not without violence princi∣ples well grounded to be rooted up, or whether indeed, as is related, possessed with an evil Spirit, he fell into soul fits of phrenzy and distraction, the convulsions of the mind, and often torments of an evil Conscience.

And now, whilst in human appearance there seemed no hopes of amendment, it so fell out, that by extraordinary means he became penitent. The story goes, that Law∣rence, finding his labours ineffectual, was resolved to retire into France, and follow Justus and Melitus, the one expelled London, the other Rochester, (for the Aposta∣sie was now spread wide into the Country of the East-Saxons also) being at his devo∣tions, the night before his intended departure, in the Church of St. Peter, that Saint appeared to him, and to make the Vision more sensible, gave him many stripes for offering to desert his Charge, the marks of which the next morning being shewn to the King, with the cause why, and the person from whom they were received, so wrought upon his fancy already prepared, that immediately forsaking his Incestuous life, he embraced again the Christian Religion, and became as zealous a Professour, as he had been a violent Persecutor. Though it should seem by the following Epistle of Pope Boniface, that Justus, not Laurentius, was his Converter.

The Epistle of Boniface V. To Justus late Bishop of Rochester, now Successor of Melitus in the Archbishoprick of Canterbury.

To our most Beloved Brother Justus, Boniface sendeth Greeting.

WIth what devotion and watchfulness your Brotherhood hath laboured for the Gos∣pel * 2.2 of Christ, not only the tenour of your Letter directed to us hath manifested, but the granted accomplishment of your undertaking. For neither hath Almighty God forsaken the Obligation of his Name, or the fruit of your Labour, in what he faithfully promised to the preachers of the Gospel; Behold I am with you even to the end of the World. Which his clemency hath particularly shewn in your ministery, opening the hearts of the Gentiles to receive the singular mystery of your preaching, for with a great

reward, and the assistance of his goodness, he hath illustrated the delightful course of your proceedings, whilst of the Talents committed unto you by a faithful improvement rendring him a plentiful increase, he hath prepared for you to lay up by multiplying the kind. And this also is conferred on you by that retribution, who constantly persisting in the ministry laid upon you with a commendable patience wait for the redemption of that Nation; and that they might be profitable to yours, their salvation is begun. The Lord saying, Whosoever shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved. Ye are saved therefore by a patient hope, and the strength of forbearance, that the hearts of unbelievers being purged from the natural disease of Superstition, might obain the mercy of their Saviour. For having received an express from King Eadbald our Son, we find with how great knowledge in holy teaching your Brotherhood hath brought his mind to a true conversion, and the belief of our undoubted faith. Upon which occasion, having a certain assurance of the continuance of the divine Clemency, we believe that by the ministry of their preaching will follow not only the full conversion of those under his command, but of the neighbouring Nations also; Since, as it is written, The recompence of your works accomplished, shall be given by the Lord, the Rewarder of all good things. And it may truly be effected, that the sound of them hath gone throughout the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the earth by an universal confession of Nations professing the Christian Faith.

Polydore Virgil relates that hereupon he was Baptized, but it seemeth strange that Ethelbert, so Religious a Prince, had neglected that pious office to his Son; and as for re-baptizing, in case of Heresie or Apostasie, it had been long before condemned in the Church.

After his conversion he re-called Melitus and Justus from banishment, and built a Chappel within the Monastery of Peter and Paul at Canterbury. He reigned twenty four years, and by Emma daughter of Theodebert, a French Prince, had two Sons, Ermenred and Ercombert. Ermenred died before his Father, and left a Daughter Dompnena, and two infant Sons behind him, Ethelred and Ethelbert; but the King∣dom required a man to govern it: Ercombert the younger Son succeeded his Father.

ERCOMBERT.

ERCOMBERT, notwithstanding his elder Brother's Sons were living, took * 2.3 possession of the Kingdom. What he wanted in Right, he made out in good Government, being reported a most Religious and Christian King. The Saxon Idols yet standing he utterly demolisht, and commanded the Fast of Lent to be universally observed; but he is noted by some, for not restoring at his death the Kingdom to his Nephew, whose undoubted Right it was; But leaving two Sons behind, Egbert and Lothair, whom he had by Sexburg, the daughter of Anna King of the East-Saxons, it fell to them successively. He reigned twenty four years.

EGBERT.

EGBERT, the eldest Son of Ercombert, after his Father's death obtained the * 2.4 Crown: but conscious that the right of Inheritance lay in his Uncle's Sons, E∣thelred and Ethelbert, to secure himself he dispatcht them both, casting their bodies into a River that their murther might not be known; but they were after∣wards by the stream cast up upon the shore, and discovered by the next Inhabitants, who in great veneration (for before they were esteemed Saints, and now Martyrs) interred their bodies, and built over them a little Chappel or Oratory. Their bones were afterwards removed, and laid in the Abby of Ramsey in Hantshire; Their Sister Dompnena, married to Merwald a Mercian Prince, founded the Abby of Minster in Kent, wherein (saith Stow) she became the first Abbess. Mr. Cambden placeth that Abby in Sheppy, and saith, it was founded by Sexburga Wife of Ercombert. * 2.5

To make amends for this Murther, he gave to the Mother of these Princes part of Tanet wherein to build and Abby. His ill-gotten Power was but short, reigning

only nine years, he left behind him two Sons, Edric, and Wigtred, but his Brother Lo∣thair seized the Kingdom.

In his days the Province of Kent was divided into Parishes by Theodorus, not Ho∣norius Arch-bishop of that See, as Mr. Speed falsly accounteth, who placeth also this Action in the days of Ercombert.

LOTHAIR.

LOTHAIR taking the advantage of the Minority of his Nephews, stept into * 2.6 the Throne, but he enjoyed it not in Peace, for Ethelred the Mercian, continu∣ally molested him on the one hand, and Edric, dispossest of his Right, sate not down with his loss, but pursued all means to recover it by force, so that gaining the As∣sistance of the South-Saxons, to whose Protection he fled, he enters Kent with an Army, and proclaims his Title to the Crown; many flocked unto him, whilst others adhered to Lothair. Thus the Kingdom of Kent was not only vexed with forreign for∣ces, but miserably divided in it self. At last in a bloody battel, Lothair was shot through with a Dart, and dyed under his Chirurgeon's hands.

In him (saith Malmsbury) were punished the murders committed by his Brother Egbert, because he made a scoff at the death of his Kinsmen, and laughed at the pub∣lick * 2.7 mournings of the people; But we shall find divine Vengeance following the Sons of Egbert himself, and the whole Family, for the Crown continued not in it to the third Generation. Lothair reigned ten years, and was buried at Canterbury a∣mong his Predecessors.

EDRIC.

EDRIC, his Uncle Lothair being dead, had none who could claim before him, * 2.8 yet during his short Reign of two years he was continually exercised in Civil Wars, and finally slain in them. What were the Causes of his troubles, Histo∣rians have not related, possibly they rose from Lothair's Faction, not suppressed with his death, or it may be from the general hatred of the people to the whole Family, which had been so deeply embrued in the blood of their beloved Princes. And this seemeth more likely, for his Brother Wigtred, though a virtuous youth, and not perso∣nally engaged in the Crimes of his House, yet came not to the Crown till seven years after his Brothers death, no Cause being related why he was so long held from it, unless it proceeded from the following Wars. For Ceadwalla, the West-Saxon, an ambitious and turbulent Prince, taking advantage of the civil Commotions, and marching easi∣ly through the Kingdom of the South-Saxons, whom he had subdued, entered Kent with an Army, and miserably spoiled the Country with fire and sword, laying waste where∣ever he came; the Kentish men, though at variance among themselves, yet in the pub∣lick danger, reconciling their home differences, unite all parties against the common Enemy, and with joynt force meet him in a set Battel. The West-Saxons not able to withstand their violence were driven back with great slaughter, leaving Mollo their King's Brother a prey to the Enemy, who in the flight, with twelve of his Attendance, to avoid the heat of pursuit, hid himself in a Cottage, but either discovered, or be∣trayed, was beset by the pursuers, and there burnt alive. Ceadwalla nearly touched with his Brothers misfortune, and his own dishonour, rallies his dispersed forces, and making head again, sets upon the greedy pursuers, routs and chases them into their own Country, and never left the Province, till with fire and sword he had revenged the death of his Brother.

WIGTRED.

VVIGTRED the Brother of Edric obtained the Kingdom about the * 2.9 year 693. Ceadwalla being dead, he purchased his peace of King Inas with a round Sum of Money, and governed quietly for the space of thirty years. Bede mentioneth one Swebhard, that reigned with him, possibly some Prince of a contrary Faction, and ascribeth to Wigtred thirty three years.

He was a Prince that highly favoured the Church, as it was termed in those daies, * 2.10 by granting several priviledges and immunities to Religious persons, and exempting them from publick Contributions, Subsidies, Tolls, Taxes and Imposts, especially in a full Synod of his whole Clergy held at a place called Becanceld, in which himself pre∣sided, among many liberties in general conferred on them, he particularly by name priviledged these Monasteries, namely, Upminster, Raculf, Sudminster, Dofras, Folcan∣stan, Hymming, Stepes and Hor, with severe Anathema's to all his Successours, or any persons whatsoever that should at any time violate or infringe these his Royal Con∣cessions, which in aeternam rei memoriam were to be kept upon Record in Christ-Church in Canterbury, and this done for the health of his Soul, and the Souls of his Predecessours. Such was the Zeal of these times heightned and improved by the pride and ambition of the Clergy, to gain honour and riches to themselves by preaching whatever was done to them, was done to the person of Christ, but from what knowledg this Zeal was likely to spring we may learn from that sad, though ingenuous confession of King Wigtred himself, who in a grant afterwards made of some lands in Thanet to Ebba an Abbess, plainly tells the World, that not being able to write his name he had set his mark to the Deeds, namely, the sign of the Cross, as likewise did his Queen Kynigith, and the rest of his Nobles, not likely to have more skill than their Soveraign. Nay the Clergy themselves, without any injury done to them may be shrewdly suspected not to be much exceeding in knowledge, for the way of their sub∣scriptions is, per signum manus; and we are certainly informed of the times not two hundred years after, and that from King Alfred himself, alearned and pious Prince, in his sorrowful Epistle upon that occasion to Wulfug a Bishop; That on this side Humber there were few Priests that understood their Latin prayers, or could turn them into English, so few, faith he, that when I began to Reign, on all the South-side of the Thames I remember but one. Such a mixture of blind devotion and ignorance possessed those times.

Another Councel this King Wigtred held at Berghamsted, which is found in a famous Manuscript entituled TEXTUS ROFFENSIS, composed by Ernulph Bi∣shop of Rochester in the year 1116, but because it is omitted by Lambard, and in se∣veral places, as Sr.Henry Spelman confesseth not understood rightly by himself, I have purposely omitted, especially considering that there is nothing of moment in it, which bears not the same stamp as his other Constitutions, being stuft with many Immunities granted to the Clergy, with additions of certain pecuniary mulcts for the breach of Fasting-daies, Adulteries, and Theft; only thus much I thought would not be impro∣per, namely, to set down that part of it which particularly relates to the strict ob∣servation of the Lords-day, which is the first that we meet with on this occasion, and is thus found in the 10, 11, and 12 Articles of this Councel.

The Old Saxon.	The English.
Gif eshe ofer dryhtnes haere þeoþ ƿeorc ƿyrce an sunnan aefen efter hire setl gange oþ monan aefenes setlgang. LXXX scill, de dryhtne gebete.	If in the Evening preceding Sunday after the Sun is set, or the Evening preceding Mon∣day after Sun set, any Servant by command of his Master shall do any servile work, the Ma∣ster shall be punisht 80 shillings for the fact.
Gif esne def his pade ƿaes daeger. VI sc ƿið dryhten gebete oþþe sinehyd.	If a Servant shall go a Journey on these daies, he shall pay his Master 6 shillings.
Gif friman þonne an ðane forbodenan timan sio he heals fange scyldig. & se man se * 2.11 {that}ana sie he age healf {that} ƿiae & daet ƿeorc.	If a Free man (shall do it) on that forbid∣den time, he shall suffer the Mulct of Pillory, and the Informer shall have half as well of the Mulct as the Wirgild.

Wirgild signifies a Composition made by the Party, or his Friends, for a fault com∣mitted.

This is all that we find upon Record either in Church or State, that particularly relateth to King Wigtred.

He left Issue Edbert, Ethelbert and Alric, who all reigned in their turns.

EDBERT.

EDBERT, the first Son of Wigtred reigned peaceably twenty three years, no∣thing * 2.12 is left memorable upon Record during his Reign, save that two blazing Comets appeared, one before the Sun in the morning, the other after him at night, both darting their beams to the North. It was thought to portend the Desola∣tions afterwards made by the Saracens, who brake into France, but were soon after expelled.

ETHELBERT the Second.

ETHELBERT the Second, and second Son of Withred, succeeded his Bro∣ther * 2.13 in the Kingdom; He reigned for the space of eleven years, and hath left nothing behind of Name or Issue. He was buried among his Ancestors at Can∣terbury.

ALRIC.

ALRIC the third Son of Withred, and last of the Royal Family of Hengist, * 2.14 held the Scepter thirty four years; He was slain in the battel of Otteford by the hands of OFFA the Mercian King, whose overthrow, saith Malmsbury, was less dishonourable, as vanquisht by so great a Monarch.

The Saxon Annals of 784 mention one EALMUND now reigning in Kent, but he is no where else mentioned. The following Kings, either by wealth or faction, obtained the Kingdom.

ETHELBERT the Third.

ETHELBERT the Third Sirnamed Pren, the Annals call him Eadbright, by * 2.15 what means is unknown, usurped the Regal Power. After two years reign, contending with Kenulph the Mercian King who invaded his Territories, he was taken Prisoner and led captive into Mercia, and there for a while detained. During his Imprisonment, Cuthred was appointed by Kenulph to govern Kent; and Simeon writes, that Kenulph commanded to put out his eyes, and cut of his hands, but upon what occasion, or whether the sentence was executed, he hath left us in the dark. Certain it is, that Kenulph having finisht his Church at Winchcomb in Glocester∣shire, either out of commiseration of Human chance, or relenting so severe a punish∣ment, or else to render the dedication of his Temple more illustrious, taking this Princely Captive by the hand, he led him to the High-Altar, and there in the presence of Cuthred his Vice-Roy in Kent, and ten Earls, thirteen Bishops, and many other Nobles, he gave him his Liberty without Ransom, and free leave to return to his Do∣minions; But coming to Kent, he was not received, but retired to a private life; and this is he and not the former Ethelbert, whom the Annals of Canterbury affirm to be buried at Reculvers in the Isle of Tanct, where he may be supposed to have lived after his expulsion, a place most convenient, and oftentimes used for such inglorious retreats; He reigned only three years.

CUTHRED.

CUTHRED was created by Kenulph Vice-Roy of Kent, but our Historians * 2.16 make him King and Usurper; however he sate in the Throne but three years, and we hear nothing of him, but that he was present at the release of his Pre∣decessor, which should seem to argue, that he was not the cause of his being kept out from the Crown.

BALDRED.

BALDRED, last King of Kent was vanquished by Egbert the West-Saxon, * 2.17 who seized his Dominion after he had reigned eighteen years, and forced him to flie beyond the River Thames, at which time this Kingdom, and not long after the rest of the Heptarchy, were reduced under the intire obedience of that Monarch.

THE KINGDOM OF THE East-SAXONS

Contained Counties ...Essex, Middlesex, Part of Hartfordshire.

KINGS Sledda. Sebert. Sered. Seward. Sigibert the First. Sigibert the Second. Sigibert the Third. Swithelm. Sighere. Sebba. Offa. Selred. Suthred.

[illustration]

SLEDDA.

SLEDDA, the tenth from Woden, is generally esteemed the first founder of the East-Saxon Kingdom, though some following Hun∣tington, give the honour to Erchenwine his Father, of whom ne∣vertheless they tell us nothing, saving his Name and Pedigree, re∣lating neither the number of his Forces, the place of his landing, or so much as the least encounter with the Britains. In the same obscurity we might have passed over Sledda his Son, had he not ennobled himself by the marriagt of Ricula, Daughter of Emerick King of Kent, and Sister to Ethelbert the first Christian Prince, and Great Monarch of the English-men. And indeed the whole transactions of this Province seem all along to have been redeemed from oblivion, not by the glory or worth of its Princes, or the greatness of its own proper atchievments, but by the conjunction is had with other Kingdoms more powerful, and the lustre it borrowed from neighbouring Princes, with whom it was often linked in action. In its beginning it was tributary to Kent, and re∣ceived its Protection from thence, and this is the reason I have placed it next in or∣der; and though afterwards it came to be in a manner absolute, yet it never rose to that height, as to have one Monarch that could pretend to give Laws to other Kingdoms of the Saxons, as all the rest at one time or another did. It was bounded on the East with the Sea, on the South with the Thames, on the West with the Colne, on the North with the River Stour; But these two latter limits often varied, according to the encroach∣ments of the Mercians made upon them in the West, and the East-Angles, and those of Northumberland on the North. Neither is the time of the beginning of this Kingdom more certain; some place it as high as the year 516 under Erchinwin, others eleven years after, in the year 527, and the fifteenth of Oisc second King of Kent. Some

begin it at the first year of this Sledda's Reign, which they will have to be in the year 587; but leaving them in their Disagreement, I shall begin the computation of this Kingdom from the death of Sledda, who having reigned, without any actions re∣corded, the space of many years, departed this life Anno 596, leaving issue Sebert and Segebald.

SEBERT.

SEBERT the eldest Son of Sledda succeeded his Father, nothing more famous * 2.18 than he, saving that he was the first introducer of the Christian Faith into this Province. He was converted at the perswasions of his Uncle Ethelbert, and the preaching of Melitus, afterwards Bishop of London, and received Baptism at his hands in his chief City of London, where, by the assistance of King Ethelbert, then chief Monarch of the English-men, he founded a stately Church, or rather repaired and enlarged the old Structure, dedicating it to the honour of St. Paul, constituting it the Cuthedral of the See of London. This Church, Ethelbert then present en∣dowed with good possessions, as in his Grant to Melitus is evident by this following Record.

AETHELBERT Rex, Deo Inspirante, pro animae suae remedio, dedit Episcopo Melito ter∣ram quae appellatur Tillingham, ad Monasterium sive solatium, scilicet, Sancti Pauli. Et ego Rex AETHELBERT ita firmiter concedo tibi Praesuli Melito potestatem ejus habendi & possi∣dendi, ut in perpetuum in Monasterii utilitate per∣maneat, &c.

Afterwards these two Princes founded the Church of St. Peters on the west of London, at a place called Thorney, where there stood a Ruinous structure, built, as the report goes, by King Lucius upon the foundations of a Temple of Diana. Here Se∣bert after thirteen years Reign was interred, as likewise his Wife Anthelgoda, more to be commended, if he had laid the foundation of Christian Religion in the hearts of his Children, as he had done in sticks and stones; but dying, his three Sons

SERED, SEWARD and SIGIBERT, jumpt all at once into the Throne; three heady and ungracious Princes, for their Father was no sooner laid in the earth, but they cast off publickly the Christian Religion, and did open spight to its Professors. Take the Relation from Bede:

Sebert departing this life to a better, left his Kingdom to his three Sons, who im∣mediately * 2.19 returned to the open profession of Idolatry, which, during their Father's life, they had partly dissembled, and by publick allowance encouraged their Sub∣jects in the worship of Idols; when they saw the Bishop celebrating of Mass in the Church, and delivering the Host to the people, they haughtily demanded, as report goes, and with as much folly as impiety, Why reach you not out the glittering Bread to us, as well as you used to do to our Father Suaba (for so in derision they called him) and still continue to give unto the people? To whom the Bishop made this Answer, If you will be washed in the same fountain of life, as your Father was, you may also be partaker of the same Holy Bread. But they persisting in their demands, and the Bishop reso∣lutely refusing, they in great passion and fury banisht him their Kingdom, who there-upon returned into Kent (which at that time under Eadbald was in the same plight) and afterwards passed into France with Justus then Bishop of Rochester. But divine Vengeance suffered not long their impiety to go unpunished; For going out to War against the West Saxons, they were all cut off by the sword. But nevertheless, though the Authors of this Apostacy were taken away, yet the people could not for some time be brought to embrace the Christian Religion. Seward left Issue Sigibert.

SIGIBERT the First.

SIGIBERT Sirnamed the Little, the Son of Seward, the second Son of Sebert * 2.20 succeeded his Father in the Kingdom; he hath left nothing behind him of his Reign, so that he might be stiled the Little, as well for his Actions, as his Per∣son. He left a Son named Sighere, and a Brother called Sebba, but neither of them im∣mediately succeeded him.

SIGIBERT the Second.

SIGIBERT the second of that name, the Son of Segebald, the Brother of Se∣bert, * 2.21 reigned next in the Kingdom of the East-Saxons. At his first coming to the Crown he was a Pagan with all his People, but was at length converted by the ardent perswasions of OSWY King of Northumberland, with whom he had con∣tracted a near intimacy, resorting often to the Court of that Prince to visit him; Oswy, who wisely knew how to improve the kindness of his Friend for the advan∣tage of his Soul, at last by friendly endearments, at his own Palace upon the Wall brought him to Baptism, which he received at the hands of Finnan a Bishop.

Being to return into his own Country, he desired that some Preacher might be sent with him to instruct his People in the Religion which he himself had received. Oswy, to satisfie his just Requests chooseth one Gedda a laborious Pastor, then resi∣ding in the Country of the Mercians, to go along with him, who coming into the Country of the East-Saxons, by the help of others joyned with him in the Ministry, so wrought upon the People committed to his charge, that the Gospel of Christ daily increased more and more throughout the whole Province.

Gedda, as a reward of his labours, and to gain more Authority to his preaching, was afterwards by Finnan at Lindesfern created Bishop of the East-Saxons, which office he executed with great commendation for the space of many years, ordaining Priests and Deacons for his assistance, and Baptizing in all parts, but especially at Ithancester and Tilbury; Whilst these things were doing, Sigibert, who still conti∣nued stedfast in Religion, was almost barbarously slain by the conspiracy of two of his Kinsmen who were attending of his person. Being demanded after the Murther, what it was that moved them to an act so foul and treasonable, it is reported they returned this savage Answer, That they had killed him for his easiness of Temper, in forgiving Injuries, and pardoning his enemies whenever they askt it. Some have attri∣buted his death to the judgment of God upon him for his disregarding the Censures of the Church, and they give us this Relation.

One of these Earls that flew him had unlawfully married a Wife, and being admo∣nisht thereof refused notwithstanding to put her away, for which sin being excom∣municated, but still continuing obstinate, it was strictly forbidden under pain of the same Censure for any one to come under his Roof, much less to eat or drink with him. Notwithstanding this Sentence, the King invited to a Banquet goes to his House, but in his return meeting the Bishop, he was struck with remorse, and lighting from his Horse fell at his feet, begging pardon for his offence. It is said, that the Bishop also alighting came up to the King, and touching his head with his rod, spake these words in the Authority of a Bishop, Because thou wouldst not refrain from entring the House of the accursed, in the same House shalt thou die. And so indeed it came to pass; This Gedda going afterwards to visit his Native Country of Northumberland, upon the motion of King Ediswald there Reigning, founded the Monastery of Lu∣stinghem, which he consecrated with Fasting and Prayer.

Sigibert is said to have Reigned fourteen years, he left behind him a Son named, Selred, but the Crown fell not to him immediately after his Father's death, but he followed many others who wore it before him.

SWITHELM.

SWITHELM the Brother of Segibert succeeded him in the Province of the * 2.22 East-Saxons; we hear nothing of him but the course of his Christianity, being baptized by Gedda, in the Province of the East-Angles, at a place of the Kings called Rendelsham, Ediswald the Brother of King Anna and King of the East-Angles receiving him at the Font:

SIGHERE.

SIGHERE and SEBBA, after the death of Swithelm, took joyntly on them * 2.23 the government of the State, the former was the Son of Sigibert the Little, the latter his Brother. They divided the Province into two Governments, each of which they ruled distinctly. In the beginning of their Reign there was seen an Eclipse of the Sun on the third of May, which was followed by a grievous Dearth and Pestilence, beginning in the south parts, but spreading to the north, and over all Ireland with great Mortality. Sighere and his People unsteady in faith, attri∣buted this Plague to the displeasure of their old Gods, and returned again to their Superstition, building up their Altar, and erecting their Images which had been cast down. Which when Wulfur the Mercian came to understand, he sent Jaruman a godly Bishop, who by faithful endeavours in that kind soon recovered them of this second Apostasie. But Sebba with those under his command, held stedfast in the Faith, and after the death of Sighere reigned many years, until weary of the troubles of this World, he resigned his Crown, and took upon him the habit of a Monk in the Mona∣stery of St.Pauls in London, which habit he received at the hands of Waldhere, or Walthere Bishop of London, to whom he brought a great sum of mony to be distri∣buted in Charitable uses, reserving nothing for himself, that he might (faith my Au∣thor) be as well poor in substance, as in mind, and all to gain the Treasure of the Kingdom of Heaven; where he died and was buried, and his Tomb to our daies stood in the North-wall of the Chancel of that Church, being thither translated in the year 1148.

He had two Sons, the eldest of which named Sigherd, was a Monk with his Father, as Bede saies, and of the youngest named Seofrid, there is nothing recorded, though some make him to reign seven years after his Father. Sighere married Oswith the Daughter of Edilfrith King of Northumberland, who, in the daies of her Husband, is said to be the Abbess of Barking, and was afterwards reputed a Saint. By her he had a Son named Offa, who succeeded Sebba in the Kingdom.

OFFA.

OFFA the Son of Sighere, a comely person in his youth, and as much ad∣mired * 2.24 for the endowments of mind, as of body, reigned the space of eight years, much desired of the People. When out of a Religious fondness he forsakes his Wife Kineswith the Daughter of Penda, and with Kendred King of Mercia, and Edwin Bishop of Worcester goes to Rome, where he is shorn a Monk; his Queen after his departure, vowed her self a Vailed Nun in the Abby of Kineburg, where his Sister was Abbess.

SELRED.

SELRED the Son of Sigibert the Good, came at length to the Crown, which * 2.25 he held thirty eight years, and then died a violent death, but how or from whom received, is not reported, leaving no Issue behind him.

SUTHRED.

SUTHRED, the last King of the East-Saxons, was driven out of his Kingdom * 2.26 by Egbert the West-Saxon Monarch, at which time this Province with others was annexed to the Crown of all the Principality of the Saxons this had been most unstable in the Faith, having twice fallen into open Apostasie. And this per∣haps might be the true Reason, that of all the rest it was the most Inglorious, being Tributary throughout to one Prince or other, and never able to stand upon its own feet, by the just judgment of God who visited their sins upon them, that they who could stoop to stocks and stones, should also be servants to their Neighbours. For if we consider the outward advantages it enjoyed in the beginning of its foun∣dation, we should sooner judge it would be able to give Laws to its Neighbours, than receive from them. It was excellently bounded on the East and South by the Ocean and River Thames, which at once enriched and secured it. It had under its command the City of London, which Bede in these daies writes, was a Princely Mart for all Comers both by Sea and Land. On the other side it had no bordering settlements of Saxons in its first infancy, to share in its Conquests, or strengthen its ground, an inconvenience which many other Provinces were forced to struggle with. The lands were seated very pleasant and fruitful, and the Countries adjoyning lay open to their farther progress; yet notwithstanding all these admirable advantages it was continually in a pining condition, scarce able to bear up the name of a Pro∣vince, much less the dignity of a Kingdom. And in its final surrender to Egbert, hardly afforded a good morsel to that Conquerour; For London obeying the Mer∣cians went not along with it, but holding out with the Countries near adjacent, it cost some more time in the gaining of it.

THE KINGDOM OF THE South-SAXONS

Contained Counties Surry. Sussex.

KINGS Ella. Cissa. Edilwalch.

[illustration]

ELLA.

THE Kingdom of the South-Saxons was precedent to the former in time, and the glory of its Actions, but not continuance of its * 2.27 Dominion, for as it was begun with the first, so it was the soonest of all determined; the foundations whereof were laid by EL∣LA the eleventh from Woden, not long after the arrival of Hengist, for whether sent for by him, or coming on his own ac∣cord as a New Adventurer with his three Sons, Kymen, Plet∣ting and Cissa, in three ships he lands at a place since that called Kymenshore, now Shoreham, a well known Harbour in Sussex.

At his first landing he set upon the Britains, and with great slaughter drove them into the Wood Andreds-league, which Mr. Cambden calls Andreds-wald, so named from Caer-Andred adjoyning, which in the Book Notitia Provinciarum is termed Ande∣rida, with a Haven hard by of the same name. But the Britains thus driven back, suffered not Ella to enjoy his ground in quiet, for continually sallying out upon him from the neighbouring Woods and Forrests, and their chief Garrison at Caer-Andred, called by the Saxons afterwards Andreds-cester, now Newenden in Kent, they often-times repelled him with great dammage, and as is thought, with the death of his two eldest Sons, Kymen and Pletting. Ella to supply these losses sends over to old Saxony, at this day Holstein in Denmark, for more Recruits, which come, he gives them battel at Mercredeshowrn, or Mercreds-Burnamsted, wherein he obtained an absolute Victory; but Huntington makes doubtful, which side carried the day. And it appears, that after this engagement new Forces were sent for into Germany, but whether a second time, or that the last supplies are to be placed after this battel, is left uncertain. But an Argument of Victory on the Saxons side is, that now it is gene∣rally

reported that Ella took upon him Kingly Dignity, namely, three years after the death of Hengist, in the year of our Lord 492; for the difference of computations herein is not great, unless we follow them who confound the time of his Entrance with that wherein he assumed Power.

ELLA grown great with Conquests, and Recruits, taking his Son Cissa with him, besieges Andredchester the chief Rendezvous of the Enemy, who nettled with the thoughts to see their principal Garrison invaded, and weighing the fatal consequen∣ces, if it should fall into his hands, there being scarce any other place considerable left them in the South, gather from all parts, and strive, if possible, to raise the Siege. Sometimes the Inhabitants sallied out, whilst others from the Woods and natural Fastnesses, fell upon the Enemy in the Reer. But Ella dividing his Army, ordering one half to attend the motions of the Scouting Britains, and with the other part plying the Siege, at last won the Town by Assault, and, as some report, put all to the Sword, sparing neither Sex nor Age. The City it self he utterly demolished, and with so through a Ruine, that it never after could be rebuilt. And at this day the ground whereon it stood beareth a little Village so small, that it scarce sufficeth to point out the foundations of the Ancient City.

Ella by destroying this great Fortress had opened the whole Southern quarters of the Island, whereby all that part of the Country lay at his devotion. What he did in the following course of his Reign, which is reckoned twenty two years, or there∣abouts, is not particularly recorded, but he is numbred the second Monarch of the English-men, and is said at last to have reduced all on this side Humber, both Saxon and Britain, under his entire obedience. But under his Successors, who were but few, and of no great fame, the Kingdom was contracted into a lesser compass, con∣taining only Sussex and Surry, and them not entire; For the Kingdom of Kent on one side, and the West-Saxons on the other, both well settled Governments, pressing hard upon it, so daily wore it out, that losing strength by degrees, what remained of it was quickly swallowed up by Ceadwald the West-Saxon, and afterwards by King Ine his Successour, wholly annext to that Kingdom; Insomuch that continuing so short a while, not beyond the year 1601, having so few Princes, and those in so great obscurity, William of Malmsbury among other Writers, have taken no notice of it at all.

CISSA.

CISSA the youngest Son of Ella, the other two failing before him, succeeded in * 2.28 the Kingdom of the South-Saxons; he left nothing memorable behind him save a long Reign of 76 years, as it is generally reported, spent only in the foun∣dation of two Cities bearing his Name, Chichester and Cissbury; of the former, Mr. Cambden thus writeth: Chichester, in the British tongue called Caercei, in the English-Saxon Cissan ceaster, in Latin Cicestria, a City large enough, and walled about, built by Cissa a Saxon, the second King of this Province, and of him so named, for Cissan ceaster, is nothing else but the City of Cissa.

Concerning the latter, hear the same Author: Hard by (i. e. near Offington) there is a Fort compassed about with a Bank rudely cast up, wherewith the Inhabitants are per∣swaded that Caesar entrenched and fortified his Camp. But Cissbury, the name of the place doth plainly shew and testifie, that it was the work of Cissa, who being of the Saxons Line, the second King of this petty Kingdom after his Father Aella, accompanied with his Brother Cimen, and no small power of the Saxons, at this shore arrived, and landed at Cimen shore, a place so called of the said Cimen, which now hath lost the name, but that it was near unto Wittering, the Charter of the Donation which King Cedwalla made unto the Church of Selsey most evidently proveth.

EDILWALCH.

EDILWALCH followed Cissa, nothing more famous than he, saving that by his example the South-Saxons, though late, embraced the Christian Reli∣gion. * 2.29 The occasion of this Prince's Conversion is thus told in the History of St. Swithune:

Berinus Bishop of Dorchester preaching at Oxford before Wulfur King of Mer∣cia, * 2.30 it happened that Edilwatch then a Pagan, was present, who by the perswasion of Wulfur, and the instruction of that Bishop, embraced the Faith and was baptized, being received at the Font by Wulfur, who to gratifie his new Convert, and new * 2.31 Adopted Son, gave him the Isle of Wight, and a Province of the † 2.32 Meannari ad∣joyning upon the Continent, which Wulfur had newly gotten from Kenwalke the West-Saxon, and had there, as will appear out of Bede, begun to plant Christianity. At the same time, following the example of their King, the Dukes and Nobles of this Province received Baptisin at the hands of St. Berinus; but the general Conversion of the South-Saxons was wrought by Wilsrid Archbishop of York, driven from his Seat by Egfrid King of Northumberland. The whole story of which, as also the Conversion of the Isle of Wight, take out of Bede, as it is particularly related, out of which relation our Historians gather by piece-meals whatever is recorded of this Prince.

The Conversion of the South-SAXONS.

How Wilfrid Archbishop of York Converted the South-Saxons.

WILFRID driven from his Bishoprick, and wandring in several places, at last went to Rome, whence returning into Britain, though he could not be * 2.33 received into his own Country, and Diocess, yet he refrained not the duty of preach∣ing the Gospel; but going to the Kingdom of the South-Saxons, containing eight thousand Families yet sticking to their Pagan Idolatry, he preached the Word, and administred Baptisin. Ethilwalch was King of that Nation, not long before bap∣tized in the Province of Mercia, Wulfur being present and exhorting him, by whom he was received at the Font, and in sign of Adoption, had of him by donation the Isle of Wight, and the Province of the Meannari in the Country of the West Saxons. Wherefore the Bishop, by the consent of the King who joyfully embraced the moti∣on, baptized the chief Dukes and Officers of the Province; but Eappa, and Padda, and Bruchelin, and Oidda, Priests, baptized the Common sort about the same time, or a little after. Moreover Queen Ebba received Baptism in her own Island of Wight, she was the Daughter of Eanfrid, the Brother of Eanher, who both, with their people were Christians; but the whole Province of the South-Saxons, was for the most part ignorant of the Word of God and Faith. But there was amongst them a certain Monk, by Nation a Scot, by name Dicul, who had a little Convent in a place called Bosanham, encompassed with Wood and the Sea, and with him five or six Friars, in an humble and poor life serving God, but of the People, none cared to imitate their Life, or hear their Doctrine. But Wilfrid the Bishop preaching to them, not only delivered them from the pains of eternal damnation, but from the sad cala∣mity of temporal destruction. For before his arrival into the Province, for three years together no Rain had fallen in those parts, so that a bitter Famine falling on the Com∣mon sort, made lamentable destruction among them. It is reported, that fourty or fifty together wasted with hunger would, creeping to the Sea-side and there clasping their hands together, fling themselves off from the Rocks or Cliffs, either to perish in the fall, or drown in the waters. But on the very same day that Nation received Bap∣tism, gentle and plentiful showers fell from heaven, the Earth flourished, and to the green Fields succeeded a glad and fruitful year. So that casting off their ancient

Superstition, and hating their Idolatry, the hearts and flesh of all rejoyced in the living God, who by his heavenly Grace had not only enriched them with internal, but external blessings also.

This Prelate at his first coming into the Province, seeing the plague of Famine so great, had taught them to get sustenance by fishing, for the Sea and Rivers abounded with all sort of fish, but their skill extended only to the catching of Eeles. Having therefore gathered together many Eele-Nets, they cast them into the Sea, and by di∣vine assistance presently caught three hundred fish of divers kinds, which dividing into three parts, they gave a hundred to the Poor, a hundred to them of whom they had borrowed the Nets, and a hundred they reserved for their own use; By which benefit this Prelate gained the affections of every one towards him, and they were easier brought by his Preaching to hope for eternal things, by whose Ministry they had received temporal.

At which time King Edilwalch gave by donation to the most Reverend Father Wilfrid Land of eighty seven Families, where he might receive his own People who wandered about in Exile, that is to say, Seolesu, which in Latin is called, Insula vi∣tuli marini, the place is every where surrounded with the Sea, saving on the West, * 2.34 where it hath a passage of about a stones cast wide. This place when Wilfred had received, he founded there a Monastery for Priests Regular, placing therein such e∣specially whom he had brought with him, which to this day his Successors hold. For he lived in those parts five years (i. e.) till the death of King Elfrid, worthily honoured by all, exercising the office of a Bishop both in word and deed. And be∣cause the King, together with the possession of the same place, had granted him all the Demesne with the Lands and Tenants, he baptized them all into the Christian Faith, among which many men and maid Servants, to the number of one hundred and fifty, he not only by Baptism delivered from the slavery of Satan, but by giving them freedom released them from the yoke of human bondage.

The Conversion of the Inhabitants of WIGHT.

AFter Ceadvalla had obtained the Kingdom of the West-Saxons, he took the Isle of Wight, which hitherto was generally given to Idolatry; By tragical slaugh∣ter * 2.35 he endeavours to root out the Natives, and in their place plant people of his own Province, obliging himself by a Vow, though as yet not baptized, as is reported, that if he took the said Island, he would give the fourth part of it and the spoil to holy uses, which he likewise performed, granting it to Wilfred the Bishop, who was then by chance come thither from his own Country.

The measure of the Island, according to the account of the English, is a thousand two hundred Families, out of which was given to the Bishop the possession of three hundred. But that part which he received, he bestowed on one of his clergy, by name Bernuvin his Sisters son, assigning him a Priest called Hildila, who should ad∣minister the Word and Sacrament to all such as desired salvation, where I think it ought not to be passed by in silence, how that for the first fruits of them who of the Island by believing were saved, two young Princes, Brothers of Arwald King of the Island, by the special favour of God were first crowned. For the Enemy approach∣ing, they got out of the Island, and were carried into the next Province of the Vites, where being brought to a place called * 2.36 Ad lapidem, and thinking themselves hid * 2.37 from the fury of the Conquerour, they were betrayed and commanded to be stain, which when a Priest, and Abbot by name Cimbreth came to understand, having not far off a Monastery in a place called † 2.38 Reodford, he came to the King, who then lay in those parts Incognito under the cure of his wounds, which he had received in fight in the Isle of Wight, and desired of him, that if of necessity the Youths must die, they might first be baptized with the Sacrament of Christian Faith. The King granted it, and he instructing them in the words of truthi, and washing them in the fountain of life, gave them certain assurance of their entrance into the eternal King∣dom;

Which done, they joyfully received at the Executioner's hands a temporal death, by which they doubted not but to pass to life everlasting.

In this order therefore, after all the Provinces of Britain had embraced the Faith of Christ, the Isle of Wight also received it; in which Island not withstanding (by reason of the inconvenience of external subjection) none ever took the dignity of an Episcopal See and Jurisdiction, before Daniel the present Bishop of the West-Saxons and Geuisses.

By this last Relation of Bede, the Isle of Wight had not received the Faith till after the death of this King Edilwalch, and the arrival of Ceadwalla, though others relate otherwise, as hath been shewn before. For Edilwalch assisting the West-Saxons a∣gainst Ceadwalla was slain by him before he the said Ceadwalla had invaded the South-Saxons, and in this Prince ended the Royal stem of the South-Saxon Kings; but after his death, two Dukes of this Province Berthun and Authun assumed the Power to themselves, and in some Conflicts repelled Ceadwald with loss; but he having united his Subjects, and gathered more Forces, returned upon them, and with the slaughter of Berthun totally subdued the whole Country, which (with the uttermost violence of a Conquerour) he brought into miserable Thraldom.

Thus they who received the Faith last, were the first who were brought to sub∣jection, long before hand leading the dance to other Kingdoms, who were to follow in the universal Obedience to the Western-Monarchy.

THE KINGDOM OF Northumberland

Contained Counties Yorkshire. Durham. Loncashire. Westmorland. Cumberland. Northumberland.

KINGS, Ida. Ella. Ethelric. Edelfrid. Edwin. Osric the First. Eanfrid. Oswald. Oswy. Egfrid. Alkfryd. Osred the First. Kenred. Osric the Second. Ceolwulf. Egbert. Oswulf. Ethelwald. Alcred. Ethelred I. Elfwald. Osred the Second. Ethelred II.

[illustration]

IDA.

THE first settlement of the Saxons in these parts we may remem∣ber was under Octa and Ebissa, the one the Son, the other the Nephew of King Hengist, who being called over in the daies of Vortigern, by his leave landing about Humber, and not long after sayling to the Orcades with fourty ships, subdued all the Nor∣thern Tract, and at last fixed themselves in that part of the Island which is now called Northumberland. These Transactions hap∣pened about the year 450, since which time till the year 547 we hear nothing of them, but that they and their posterity quietly possest and enjoyed what by force they had won of the Britains, but still paying homage to Kent, though far distant, as to the elder Family.

But now about this † 2.39 year one IDA, the tenth from Woden, began to set up a se∣parate Kingdom in Northumberland, called the Kingdom of Bernicia, and to assume absolute Royalty to himself. What his Title was, or whether he got it by Election or Usurpation Authors give no account, contented to satisfie us in the Nobility of his extraction; But however he came to wear the Dignity, he is certainly reported wor∣thy of it, being invincible in War, and in Peace tempering the awe of Majesty with a natural sweetness and humanity, with which Princely qualities he Reigned fourteen years, some say but twelve, during which time he built the Castle or Town of Be∣banburg or Bamburg, which he first fenced with Pales, aad afterwards encompast with a Stone-wall. He had twelve Sons, half by Wives, half by Concubines. His Legitimate were, as Huntington reporteth, Adda, Bealric, Thedric, Ethelric, Osmer, and Thedred: Illegitimate, Oga, Ecca, Oswald, Ailric, Soge, and Sogother, who, saith Matthew of West∣minster, arrived at Flemuburg in fourty ships, and assisted their Father in many of his Wars.

The bounds of this Kingdom began in the South at the River Tine, and extended to the North as far as the Frith of Edenborough and Dunbritton.

ELLA.

ABOUT this time, namely in the year 561. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Prince, the twelfth * 2.40 from Woden, but by another Line follow 〈◊〉〈◊〉 example of lda, erected ano∣ther Kingdom in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the bounds whereof reached from the Humber to the River Tine. He reigned thirty years, and left a Son called Edwin, and a Daughter named Acca, but after his death the Kingdom was seized by the race of lda, who taking advantage of the Childhood of Edwin, kept him from the Crown, and annext the whole Territory to their own Dominion.

ETHELRIC.

ETHELRIC the only Son of lda surviving, after his Brothers and Kinsmen * 2.41 had reigned without other Memory in Bernicia came to the Crown in his old age: Nothing of him memorable is recorded, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 writeth, that had it not been for the lustre of his Son succeeding him, he might utterly have been for∣gotten, however we must not pass over, that during his Reign Edwin the lawful King of Deira enjoyed not that Crown, but whether Ethelric usurped his right, or only managed the state during his Minority, is left uncertain; but sure it is, that he held both the Provinces, and so left them to his Son and Successour Edelfrid, who resolved to keep what his Father left him, though never so unjustly.

EDELFRID.

EDELFRID sir named the wild succeeded in his Father's Kingdom of Northum∣berland, * 2.42 a Prince valiant, and thirsty of Renown, and some describe him a Lo∣ver of War, for War's sake only. None of the Saxons ever wasted the Britains so much as he, whose Countries he either peopled with his own Nation, or made Tri∣butary to him. Edan King of the bordering Scots jealous of his success raiseth a migh∣ty Army, and invades his Kingdom, whom Edelfrid meeting at a place called Degsa∣stone in a set Battel totally discomfits, and with such slaughter, that Bede writes none of the Scotish Kings to his days durst ever after in hostile manner pass into Britain: But the Victory was not obtained without great loss on the Saxons side also, for Theo∣bald, the Kings Brother, and that wing which he commanded, was unfortunately cut off. After this he turned his Arms against the Britains, moved thereunto, as some report, by the instigation of Ethelbert King of Kent, at the request of St. Augustine, because the Britains refused obedience to his Authority, but the whole course of this action I have before related in the life of Ethelbert, King of Kent. But Edelfrid growth so famous abroad began to be disquleted with Jealousies at home; he knew the Title Edwin had to half his Dominions, and though he had made some amends for his Inju∣stice to that Prince in marrying of his Sister Acca, yet for all that he could not be sure of his affection, and never rested till he drove him out of his Government, who wandring from place to place, was at last enrertained in the Court of Redwald, then King of the East-Angles; Edelfrid informed of his kind reception with that Prince, grows incensed thereat, and sends his Embassadours to have him delivered into his hands, or else declares open War. Redwald at his Message at first somewhat startled, but at length yielding, is disswaded from it by his Wife, who laid before him the in∣violable Laws of Hospitality, and how pitiful and mean a thing it was for the menaces of an Enemy to betray his friend, to whom he had sworn protection: upbraided with his weakness Redwald to make amends, not only refuses to deliver him, but resolves to maintain his Cause, and to be before-hand with Edelfrid, with an Army suddenly raised he comes upon him little dreaming of an Invasion, and in a fight near the River Idle easily dissipates those forces he had collected together, and in the same Battel slays Edelfrid himself who yet dyed not unrevenged: For to shew that it was the Errour of his fortune not valour that he lost the day, with his own hands he slew Reiner the Kings Son.

Thus died Edilfrid, after he had reigned victoriously for the space of twenty two years, to whom Bede applies the saying of Jacob to Benjamin, That like a ravening Wolf he devoured his prey in the morning, and divided the spoil in the evening. His three Sons were conveyed into Scotland by their Mother Acca, not daring to trust the good nature and generosity of Edwin, whom their Father had so injuriously offended.

EDWIN.

EDWIN the Son of Ella established in his Kingdom by the assistance of Red∣wald * 2.43 the East-Angle, as hath been related, extended his Dominions further than any King of Northumberland had done before him; for Eanfrid, Oswald, and Oswy, the Sons of the late Edilfrid flying into Scotland, left the Province of Bernicia absolute to his disposal; But besides this addition to his Paternal right, partly by Conquest, and partly by Resignation, he annexed to his Territory the Counties of Durham, Chester, and Lancashire, subduing all, both British and English, ar far as the Mevanian Islands, Anglesey and Man, all which he either new planted, or made Tributary to him. He had not regined above six years when Redwald, the chief Mo∣narch then of the English-men departed this life, leaving his Son Earpwald to suc∣ceed him in the Kingdom of the East-Angles. Him Edwin though intreated him∣self to accept of the Government, seated in the Throne of his Fathers, contented with the same acknowledgments from him, as he received from the rest of the Saxon Provinces, Kent only excepted, namely some small confessions of Power, and the owning of his supreme governance.

Having thus well established all things round about him, he sends to Eadbold Son of Ethelbert, then reigning in Kent, to desire his Sister in marriage, But by his Embassadours he receives this Answer, That the Christian Law did not permit them to give their Daughters unto Pagans. Edwin, whose business was Love, not Religion, replies, that, that ought not to be any hinderance, for the free exercise of her own waies in her own Family, with all the Rites and Ceremonies belonging thereunto, should be left entire to her disposal, and if upon due examination he found the Christian Law to be better than his own, he would himself embrace it.

These fair and ingenuous offers opening so large a way for the propagation of the Gospel, and readily assented to, and k 2.44 Ethelburga, for so the Virgin was called, is sent into Northumberland under the spiritual Tuition of Paulinus, created Bishop by Justus for that occasion. But Edwin continued still in his old Idolatry, and though Paulinus by preaching and perswasion used his utmost endeavour, yet he gained little either upon Prince or People for a whole twelvemonth, to forsake their own, or embrace the Queens Religion; But at length, an unexpected accident made more way for the entrance of the Faith, than the labour and industry of the Bishop could ever do; For Edwin having narrowly escaped an Assassine sent by Cuichelme King of the West-Saxons to dispatch him, and lying under the cure of a dangerous wound, took such impression in mind, especially Paulinus improving that occasion, that he solemnly promised, that if Christ, whom they so much extoll'd, would give him cure of his wound, and victory over his bloody Enemies, he would without more adoe receive his Religion. Paulinus was not wanting to encourage this Vow, and the King, to shew his sincerity, gives his Daughter Eanfled to be bred up in Religion, who with twelve others of his Family, were baptized by Paulinus on the day of Pentecost; The King not long after recovering, raises an Army, and invades the West-Saxon Province, and with such wonderful success, that in a short space, he not only laid the Country desolate, but had means to bring the chief Actors of that bloody contrivance to punishment, they all by one means or other falling miraculonsly into his hands; Loaded with Victory he returns home, and from that time worshipped no more his Idols. But the open profession of the Christian Faith he could not yet be brought to own, but stood wavering between the prejudices of Education on one side, and the Evidences he had received on the other, from the power of that God whom Paulinus had taught him, and who plainly seemed to be his Deliverer.

Whilst he stood in this doubting condition, he receives Letters from Boniface then

Bishop of Rome, the Copies of which are yet extant, containing ardent exhortati∣ons, not to delay his Promise, but to embrace the Faith which he had vowed; Nei∣ther was the Bishop wanting by Letters to his Queen, to stir up and quicken her endeavours towards the conversion of her Husband; But all was in vain, for the King tossed between two great Seas, inclined neither to the one side or other, until Paulinus by divine Revelation coming to the knowledg of a Secret, One day when the King was private in his Chamber, comes boldly in, and laying his hand on his head, asked him, if he remember what that sign meant? Edwin all in a maze, as whose memory had newly recovered some former impressions, rose up, and fell prostrate at the Bishop's feet. Behold, saith Paulinus, taking him up by the hand, God hath delivered thee from thy enemies thou fearedst, and hath granted the Kingdom thou desiredst; Forget not therefore the third promise, in receiving his Faith and keeping his Commandments, for if from henceforth thou obey his will, which by my mouth he declareth, to thy temporal Kingdom he will after this life add a Crown eternal. What this third Promise was, and upon what occasion made by Edwin, is thus related by Venerable Bede: When Edwin was an Exile in the Court of King Redwald, and Edilfrid by his Embassadours deman∣ded * 2.45 that he should be surrendred unto him, Redwald, as hath been related, partly dazled with the Gold, and partly a wed by the threats of that Prince, had at first yielded to deliver him, which wicked determination was brought to Edwin by a Friend of his who had all along stuck close to him in his Adversity, and who now promised his assistance to further his escape. Edwin uncertain what to do, as loth to distrust the King, who had given him his Royal word, and had hitherto protected him, and yet not questioning his Friend's good will, and the truth of his intelligence, in the dead of night, from them was the news brought him, goes out of the Palace and casts himself upon a cold stone, musing what course was best to be undertaken, when, be∣hold, there advances unto him a Person unknown, and in Language full as strange, and thus accosteth him, Who art thou, who thus in the dead of night, when Mortals are at rest, lyest here without doors cold and benum'd? Edwin, whom grief suffered not to be very Ceremonious, returns this sharp reply. That he might meddle with his own con∣cerns, and that it was nothing to him, whether he lay within or without doors. Think not, Edwin, saith the Stranger though nothing moved, that I am ignorant who thou art, or the cause of thy heaviness, why thou sittest so pensive here alone, sad, and making. But tell me, what wouldst thou give him who could deliver then from the danger that threat∣ens thy life, and perswade Redwald, neither to do thee hurt, nor to deliver thee to thy enemies? Any thing, answered Edwin, who now began to listen to him. But what (said the other) wouldst thou give, if the same person should give thee a Kingdom, and cause thee to surpass all thy Predecessours in power and glory? I do not question, said Edwin, but that I should make answerable returns of gratitude. But, what if he that foretels thee these good things to come, said the unknown, should also instruct thee in a way to life and happiness, that none of thy Forefathers or kindred ever knew? Wouldst thou obey him, and consent to receive his wholsom admonitions? Edwin, with∣out stope made answer, That he would in every thing follow the advice of such an one, as not only could deliver him from his enemies, but would also give him a King∣dom; At which words the Person advanced to him, and laying his hand on his head, said, When this sign shall next befal thee, be not forgetful of this time, nor of this Con∣ference, and remember what you have promised, you accordingly perform. Then dis∣appearing, left Edwin as full of amazement, as joy, to know what this unknown should be. When in comes his Friend, and adviseth him to chear up and not to be daunted, for he brought better news to him than formerly, viz. that the King by the perswasions of his Queen was so far from betraying him, that he resolved to defend him with his utmost power. And this is the reason why he fell down before Pauli∣nus, after he had laid his hand upon his head.

At last Edwin, being throughly convinced of the double Miracle shewn to him in the favourable and speedy promotion of his Conversion, consented to receive the Faith, yet would advise first with his Nobles about it, who being asked what they thought of the Doctrine of Paulinus? understanding withal the Kings private incli∣nations, generally consented, nay, the eminentest of their Priests, Coysy (who, as it appears by his Reasons, measured the truth of all Religions by Worldly success, for he was angry that his Gods had not advanced him to the King's favour above others)

was the first that gave his consent, offering himself to the King as the fittest Instrument to destroy those Idols, whose worship he himself had so much promoted.

After this Paulinus had free liberty openly to preach the Gospel, and the King with his Sons born to him of his first wife Quenburga, with a great part of his Nobility and People, renounced their Idolatry and were baptized. The King with his Family in St. Peter's Church at York, which he had hastily erected of Timber, and the People for their number, near the Rivers of Glevie in the Province of Bernicia, and Swale in the Province of Deira.

After the Conversion of Northumberland, Paulinus dispersed the seeds of Faith amongst them of Lindsey, a Province in Lincolnshire. First he converted Blecca Go∣vernour of the City of Lincoln, and his Family, where he built a Church curiously wrought of stone, which was very much decayed in Bede's time. Neither was Ed∣win any less careful to set forward the Conversion of the English; by assisting Pauli∣nus, and by his perswading Eorpwald the Son of Redwald to embrace the Faith, who soon after was slain by one Richert, his own Countryman.

Pope Honorius, after he had heard of the Conversion of the Northumbers, sent to Paulinus a Confirmation of his being Archbishop of York, withal exhortatory Letters to Edwin, to perswade him to continue firmly in the Faith he professed, the stile and substance of which Epistle, as much as relates to him, was this.

Bishop Honorius, servant of the Servants of God,

To Edwin King of the English, Greeting.

THe integrity of your Christianity is so warmed through the zeal of Faith towards the worship of the Omnipotent Creatour, that it casts a lustre every where, and is talkt of over all the World, so that we, with you, may abundantly enjoy the reward of your labour, for then you may account your selves Kings, when, having been informed of your King and Creatour, by a true and Orthodox preaching, you believe in God by wor∣shipping him sincerely, and paying to him (as much as the weakness of your condition will permit) the unseigned devotion of your minds; For what else are we to offer up to our God, but that per severing in good actions, and confessing him to be the Authour of Man∣kind, we make haste to worship him, and to pay our vows unto him? And therefore, Most excellent Son, we exhort you, as is meet, with a Fatherly love, that since the Divine pity has vouch safed to call you to his Grace, you would endeavour with a careful mind, and by continual praying, to preserve it, that he, who in this present World has brought you free from all Errour to the knowledge of his Name, would prepare for you the Mansions of the heavenly Country.

After King Edwin had Reigned seventeen years, Cadwallo King of the Britains rose up against him, who being assisted by Penda the Merolan, who envied Edwin's Greatness, after a terrible battel at Heithfield, slew this great King and his Son Osfrid.

This Edwin was renowned for his justice and moderation, and the great care he took to help and ease his poor Subjects; For in his time any one might travel safely all over his Dominions, even from Sea to Sea, and for the benefit of the wayfaring Man, he commanded Iron-dishes should be fastned to every Fountain for conveniency of Travellers to drink. Neither was he unmindful of his own Grandure, having a Royal Banner alwaies carried before him. He was buried in St. Peter's Church at Streanshal, afterwards called Whitby. His Queen Ethelburga with her Children, and Paulinus, fled into Kent to her Brother Eadbald, who kindly received his Sister and her Children, and made Paulinus Bishop of Rochester, in which See he ended his daies, and to which at his death he bequeathed the Pall, which he had received for York. Ethelburga afterwards spent her daies in a Monastery of Nuns, built by her self near the Sea-side at a place called Lymming.

The Issue of King Edwin by Quinburga his first wife, Daughter of Creda King of Mercia, but Bede faith of Ceorl, is this, Osfrid, the eldest Son of King Edwin, was slain with his Father, he and his Son Iffy had been both baptized by Paulinus. Iffy after the death of his Father for fear of Oswald, was conveyed into France, where he

died in his Childhood. Edfrid second Son of Edwin, for fear of Oswald, fled to Penda King of Mercia, and was barbarously murthered by him. He left Issue Hererik, of whom and his wife Bertswith descended Hilda the famous Abbess of Streanshalch, and Hereswith wife of Ethelhere King of the East-Angles.

And the Issue of the said Edwin by Ethelburg his second wife, Daughter of Ethel∣bert King of Kent, is Ethelme, who died young, and not long after he had received Baptism, and was buried in St. Peter's Church in York. Uskfrea was conveyed into Kent, and afterwards into France with Iffy his half Brother, with whom also he died and was buried; Eanfled the elder Daughter was married to Oswy King of Northum∣berland, Ethelred the younger died an Infant, after he had received baptism, and was buried with her brother Ethelm.

OSRIC, EANFRITH.

AFter the death of Edwin the Kingdom of Northumberland became divided, as * 3.1 in former times, each rightful Heir seizing his part. OSRIC the Son of Alfrid, Edwin's Uncle, by profession a Christian and baptized by Paulinus, Reigned in Deira, and EANFRITH the Son of Edilfrid the Wild, in Bernicia. He had been conveyed into Scotland with his two Brothers, Oswald and Oswin, and there with others of the Nobility, had been baptized and instructed in the Christi∣an Faith. But now these two Kings having each of them a Crown, turned Apostates from the Church, and fell again to their old Religion and Idolatry; But divine Vengeance soon followed at their heels, for in less than the compass of a year they were both destroyed, one by the force, the other by the fraud and treachery of Cad∣wallo, the manner whereof is thus related in Bede, as likewise the succeeding Cala∣mities in Northumberland, caused by the tyranny and oppression of the Con∣querour.

Cadwallader the British King, the Summer following slew them both, and though by * 3.2 force and violence sufficiently wicked, yet the vengeance was by them deserved. OSRIC was surprized with his whole Army, and in a City of his own besieged, and there finally with all his Forces destroyed. After which the Conquerour entring Northumberland brought all under his power, using his victory, not with the moderation of a King, but the pride and insolence of a merciless Tyrant, laying wide desolation wherever he came. EANFRITH the other King, coming to him to beg his peace, was barbarously put to death. This year, saith he, is counted to this day hateful and unfortunate, both for the Apostasie of these English Kings, as the fury and tyranny of the British, wherefore the Historians of those times have thought convenient, that the memory of these Apostate Kings should be utterly razed, and the same year reckoned the first of King Oswald, a man dearly beloved of God.

OSWALD.

OSWALD, after the death of his Brother, was made King of Northumber∣land. He was a Prince well grounded in his Religion, and besides many o∣ther vertues, had accomplisht himself during his Exile in all Military exer∣cises, * 3.3 to which in his youth he had studiously addicted himself. And indeed, the state of the Kingdom at his first entrance upon it, being miserably harassed by Cad∣wallo, required no ordinary man to redeem the glory and honour of it. He had to deal with an enemy used to Conquer, but withal proud and boasting, and who, by often beating the Northumberlands, had now little opinion of the Saxon Valour in general, and was therefore grown somewhat secure and negligent in his proceeding. Him therefore Oswald with a small, but Christian Army, attacks by a little River running into Tine near the old Roman Wall, the place called Denisborn, and after a sharp fight slaies him, with the greatest part of his huge Host, which he boasted was Invincible.

It is reported that the first day Oswald, though provoked, would not joyn battel, but spent the whole time in prayers and supplications, commanding his Army to do the like; and to shew that his trust was more in the protection of the Almighty, than the arm of flesh, and to profess himself the Souldier os Christ, he erected for his Standard a great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the field wherein he encamped, (sustaining the same with his own hands, until the Souldiers with earth filled up the ground it was fixed in from this Cross, and the Victory ensuing, the place was afterwards called 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and the Cross it self was long after much frequented for the Miracles said to be wrought by it.

Being settled in his Throne by the death of his potent Enemy, like a good Prince, his first care was to have his people again instructed in the Christian Religion, which, by the Apostasie of the former Princes, and devastations of those times, was almost utterly lost among them. To this purpose he sends into Scotland, where himself had been bred up, to have some godly and laborious Preachers sent unto him; his desires were readily assented to by the Clergy of that Country, and Aidan a Monk and Bi∣shop, with others to assist him, are accordingly dispatched, who coming into Nor∣thumberland, by their good example and diligent preaching, wonderfully restored the Christian Religion, insomuch that many thousands are said in few daies to have been Baptized by them.

This Aidan had assigned to him from the King for an Episcopal Seat a place then called Lindesfarn, now Holy Island, but he was not so famous by the dignity of his Sec, as the singular vertues of his mind, being a man above the level of that Age, of won∣derful moderation, and not carried away with the nice and trivial points of Theology, which most desperately infected those, and latter times. And this will more evidently appear by the Testimony of Bede, in his preamble to the Councel of Whitby, which you may find in the Reign of the following Prince. And this might be the reason that he gained so much on the minds of his Auditors, for whereas others following the example of Colmar, a preacher then in Northumberland, delighted more to shew their profound skill in points then controverted, than plainly to set forth the grounds of Christianity: Aidan on the contrary, by easie Doctrine, and yielding in things Cere∣monial, made more Christians by far, though fewer Disputants. Neither is the de∣votion and humility of Oswald himself to be passed over, who disdained not to be Interpreter to the Bishop in his first preaching, for whereas Aidan at his first coming spoke Scotch only, or very broken English, the King himself, to secure him from con∣tempt, and to make his words carry more Authority, was, as you have heard, himself the conduit to coveigh them to his People.

Neither is this King less celebrated for his exceeding Charity and pity to the poor, feeding them with his own hands at the Gate, and often distributing the plate it self a∣mongst them, for which it is said that Aidan being once present, taking the King by the right hand, thus said or prophesied, That it was impossible that hand should parish, which had so often sustained others; which, report goes, after his death was fulfilled, for that hand remaining uncorrupted, was afterwards shrined in Silver, and preserved entire in St. Peter's Church in Bebba, now Bamborow.

Thus the Kingdom of Northumberland, by the blessing of God, and the good en∣deavours of King Oswald, enjoyed the benefits of peace, during which time Religi∣on good Laws and Ordinances were established, Churches erected through the whole Province, and the general State so flourished, that all the neighbouring Countries invi∣ted by the Princely vertues of Oswald, especially the moderation of his Government, daily flocked under his obedience, insomuch that he had at command at one time, people of four different languages, Britains, Picts, Scotch, and English.

Thus after he had Reigned the space of eight years, worthy of a longer life, he fell by the same fate and the same hands 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Edwin his Predecessour; For 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Pugan King of Mercia, envying the greatness of his State, made war upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and at a place called Maserfield now Oswester in Shropshire, cut him in pieces with a great part of his Army, on the fifth of August 642. His Body was buried at Bradney in Lincoinshire.

By his wife Kinburg, Daughter of Kingils, he had a Son named Ethelwald, who being left young was put by the Kingdom by his base Uncle Oswy, but he continually gave him trouble in the keeping of it, and obtained lastly a Principality in Derra,

which he held by force, after that Oswy had slain Oswyn the Nephew of Edwin, who for seven years had held it.

OSWY.

OSWY the base Son of Edilfrid the Wild, after the death of his Brother, suc∣ceeded him in the Kingdom. The beginning of his Reign was exceedingly * 3.4 turmoiled with the continual incursions of Penda, the rebellions of his base Son Alkfrid, and the opposition of Ethelwald Son of Edwin, and rightful Heir of the Crown. But his greatest eye-sore was Oswyn the Son of Osric, Edwin's Brother, who had possession of Deira, a Prince highly beloved by his People for his good nature, and much admired for zeal in Religion, and humility in the profession of it. Against him Oswy raiseth an Army, and Oswyn meeteth him, but finding himself far Inferiour in number, he broke up his Camp which was then at Wilfaresdown, ten miles west of Cataracton, and reserving himself for a better opportunity, with one Attendant named Condhere he withdrew to the house of Earl Hunwald, on whose fi∣delity he much relied, but contrary to his expectation he was by the said Earl basely betrayed to King Oswy, and by his order as basely murthered at Ingethling. Aidan the good Bishop survived not twelve daies this murther, dying, as some report, for grief, having not long before foretold the death of that Prince upon this account, because he was a man the World was not worthy of, being an Humble King.

Aidan was buried in the Isle of Lindesfarn, and Finan succeeded him in that See. This fact of King Oswy was odious to all, and therefore to explate the guilt, a Monastery was erected upon the place where the murther was committed, and prayers daily of∣fered for the Souls of both Kings, the slayer, and the slain. But notwithstanding Oswyn was thus removed, the Kingdom of Deira, or part of it, was seized by Ethel∣wald the Son of King Oswald: But Oswy was still infested with the incursions of King Penda, and had long endured many sore devastations; Once he had almost lost his strongest City Bebanburge, now Bamborow Castle, which Penda with fire and sword had assaulted. And now weary of continual standing on his defence, he resolves, if possible, by any means to buy his Peace, and to that end sends large gifts and pre∣sents to Penda, with humble suit desiring League and Amity. But these being with scorn refused, he prepares for War, and first imploring divine assistance, if God would grant him Victory, he vows his Daughter a Nun, and twelve Lordships for the building of Monasteries, which done, he raises an Army and meets Penda at a place called Loyden, now Leeds in Yorkshire. The Army of Penda, as is reported, exceeded Oswy's thirty times over, and was commanded by expert Captains, nevertheless they were utterly routed and put to flight, and many of them swallowed up in the River Winwed, which at that time was unusually swelled with Rains.

Penda himself was slain in the battel, and Ethelhere King of the East-Angles, the contriver of the War. Ethelwald the Son of Oswald was in the field upon the Mer∣cian side, and is said to have been the cause of their desear, for withdrawing his For∣ces at the first Onset, and meaning to expect the event, he discouraged the Mercians, who misdoubted there was treachery in it. The death of Penda was received with great joy through all the neighbouring Provinces, as the Song witnesseth, At the River Winwed Anna was Avenged.

Oswy, after this Victory, enters Mercia with an Army, which he presently reduced to his obedience, but unto Peada the Son of Penda, as his near Kinsman, he gave the Principality of the South Mercians, containing five thousand Families, and separate from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mercians by the River Trent 〈◊〉〈◊〉. But him slain by the treachery of his, wife 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Eadbert three Mercian Earls, set up Vulfer, and fling off the Government of Oswy, who was now employed in a Pictish War, and had subdued the greatest part of that Nation.

This Oswy had in him a strange mixture of Vertues and Vices, in his beginning bloody and tyrannous, towards his latter end just and moderate. Highly addicted he was to Roman Superstitions; and resolved a Pilgrimage thither, had not he been taken off by death, for in the twenty eighth year of his Reign, and fifty eighth of his Age,

he departed this life, having vowed that Journey, as some write, to expiate the mur∣ther of King Oswyn; Under this Oswy was held a Councel about the observation of Easter, which because it is much celebrated by all our Writers, I shall put it down as it is originally related.

The Synod of Streanshalch now Whitby, at the request of Hilda Abbess of that place, under Oswy the Father and Alchfrid the Son, Kings of Northumberland, in the year of Christ 664. In which is con∣troverted the Celebration of Easter, and other Ecclesiastical Rites.

There being present on the side of the Romans and English, King Alchfrid the Son, Agilbert Bishop of the West-Saxons, Abbot Wilfrid, Agatho Presbyter, James a Deacon, and Romanus.

On the side of the Scots and Britains, King Oswy the Father, Colmanne Bishop of Lindisfarne, with other Scottish Bishops. Cedda Bishop of the East Saxons, Hilda Abbess of Streanshalch, with a great many others of the Clergy on both sides.

Bede's Preface to this Synod.

IN these times was startled a common and great question concerning the observati∣on * 3.5 of Easter. Those that came from Kent, or Gaul, affirming that the Scots keep the Lord's day of Easter contrary to the custom of the Catholick Church. Among these was one Romanus by name, a stiff defender of the true Easter, by Nation a Scot, but had learned the true rules Ecclesiastick in Gaul or the Confines of Italy, who dis∣puting with one Finan, made many sensible of their errour, or at least perswaded them to a deeper search into the truth, but he could not in the least stir Finan, who be∣ing of a fiery nature was rather made worse by his instructions, and an open enemy to truth; But James, formerly Deacon under the worshipful Archbishop Paulinus, ob∣served the true and Catholick Easter with those whom he had taught the true and cor∣rect way. Queen Eanfeld also observed it with her houshold, according to what she had seen performed in Kent, having with her a Priest from Kent named Romanus of the Catholick opinion, from whence they report, in those daies, it sometimes happened that Easter should be kept twice in one year. For when the King's Lent being done, was keeping Easter, then the Queen with hers, Lent with them not being yet ended, was celebrating Palm-Sunday. But this different observancy of Easter, Aidan living, was patiently born with by all men, who understood thus much, That though he could not celebrate Easter contrary to the custom of those that had sent him, yet he took care that the works of faith, charity, and love, in which all Saints agree, should be dili∣gently performed, so that he was deservedly beloved by all men, nay even of those that thought otherwise of Easter, and was not only respected by the meaner sort, but by Bishops themselves, Honorius of Canterbury, and Foelix of the East-Angles.

But Finan being dead who succeeded Aidan, when Colman came into the Bishoprick, for he also was sent from Scotland, there arose a more solemn controversie concerning the observing of Easter, and other Precepts relating to an Ecclesiastical life, so that this question justly moved the hearts of many, lest peradventure the name of Chri∣stianity being only retained, they should run or had run in vain. It came at last to the ears of the Court, to wit, of King Oswy and his Son Alchfrid, for Oswy was taught and baptized by the Scots, and was well skilled in their Language, and esteemed nothing truer than what they had taught him. But Alchfrid had for his Instructour in Christianity Wilfrid a right learned man, who had made a Journy to Rome on purpose to learn of the Law Ecclesiastick, and had lived many years with Dalphin Archbishop of Lions in Gaul, from whom he had received the right custom of Church-shaving. He therefore thought this Man's Doctrine to be preferred before all the Traditions of the Scots, for which reason he had lately given him a Monastery of fourty Families in the place which is called Humpum, which place he had given a little before for a Monastery to those of the Scottish perswasion. But because, they afterward of their

own accord chose rather to relinquish the place than alter their Customs, he gave it to him, whose Doctrine and Life was worthy of it. About this time came Agilbert Bi∣shop of the West-Saxons, a great friend of King Alchfrid's and of Abbot Wilfrid to a Province of the Northnmbers, and continued sometime among them, who made Wil∣frid, at the request of Alchfrid, Presbyter in his said Monastery, but he had with him∣self a Presbyter named Agatho.

The question therefore of Easter, Shaving, or other Ecclestastical Rites being there moved, it was ordered that in the Monastery which is called Strensalth, which is interpreted Sinus fari, over which at that time Hilda the Abbess, a Woman devoted to God, was Governess, a Synod should be called, and this question determined. Both Kings came thither, viz. Father and Son; Bishops, Colman with his Clergy of Scotland, Agilbert with the Presbyters, Agatho and Wilfrid: James and Romanus were on this side, Abbess Hilda with hers on the Scotish Party, on which side also was the worship∣ful Bishop Chad, not long before ordained Bishop of the Scots, who also was a dili∣gent Interpeter on both sides in that Councel.

First King Oswy by a short Speech opened the Assembly, saying, that they which served one God ought to observe but one Rule of Living, neither to differ in the ce∣lebration of the heavenly Sacraments, who all expected but one Kingdom in the Heavens, they ought more especially to enquire which was the truest Tradition, and all with one consent to follow that. He commanded his Bishop Colman to speak first what had been the Custom, and from whence that had its Original, which he followed. Then Colman, The Easter, said he, which I am wont to keep, I received from my Ancestors, who sent me Bishop hither, which all our Fathers, men beloved of God, are well known to have celebrated the same way, which that it may not be contemned and rejected by any, 'tis the very same, which the blessed Evangelist John, a Disciple particularly beloved by our Lord, is said to have celebrated in all Churches which he governed. After he had said this, and more to the same purpose, the King commanded Agilbert to relate and set forth from whence the Custom he observed had its beginning, and by what Authori∣ty he followed it. Agilbert made Answer, I desire that my Disciple Wilfrid, the Pres∣byter may speak in my stead, because we both have the same Sentiments with the other followers of Ecclesiastical Tradition, that are here present; for he can explain it more clearly and better in the English Tongue, than I by an Interpreter.

Then Wilfrid, the King commanding him to speak, began thus. The Easter which we follow, said he, we have seen celebrated by every body at Rome, where the blessed A∣postles, Peter and Paul lived, taught, suffered, and were buried. This we have seen ob∣served in Gaul, most of which we have travelled through, either teaching or praying. This we know is performed in Africa, Asia, Egypt, Greece and in all the World, whereso∣ever the Church of Christ is spread, through divers Nations and Languages at one and the same, and not distinct order of time, except these only and their Accomplices in their obstinacy, I mean the Picts and Britains lying in the utmost Islands of the Ocean, nor all those neither, who by foolish endeavours strive against all the World.

As he spake this, Coleman answered, I wonder why you should style our endeavours vain and foolish, in which we follow the Example of so great an Apostle, who was found worthy to lye in the bosom of our Saviour, and since it is well known, that the whole World is satisfied in his Wisdom.

Then Wilfrid. God forbid, that we should accuse St. John of folly, when he obser∣ved the precepts of Moses his Law according to the Letter, the Church as yet Ju∣daizing in many things: Neither were the Apostles on a sudden able to abolish all Observances of the Law, which was instituted by God, as it was necessary that all which come to the Faith should reject Images, which was an invention of Divels, viz. lest they might offend those Jews which were dispersed among the Gentiles. On this account it is, that Paul circumcised Timothy, that he offered Sacrifices in the Temple, that with Aquila and Priscilla he shore the head of Chorinthus profitable to no other end, but avoiding the offending the Jews. You see, Brother, how many thousands there were among the Jews, which believed all, which were followers of the Law; neither to this very day, the Gospel beginning to shine all over the World, is it neces∣sary or lawful for the faithful to be circumcised, or to offer up fleshly sacrifices to God. Therefore John according to the manner of the Law began the celebration of the Paschal Feast about Evening on the fourteenth day of the first Month, not valuing,

whether it fell out on the Sabbath or any other Festival. But Peter, when he preached at Rome, mindsul that the Lord rose from the dead on the first day of the Sabbath, and gave to the World hopes of a Resurrection, understood it so to be celebrated, that ac∣cording to the Custom and Precept of the Law, he should always expect the four∣teenth Moon of the first Month, even as St. John, rising at Evening, and that being ri∣sen, if the Lord's day (which then was called the first of the Sabbath) should happen in the Morning, he began to celebrate the Lord's Easter that very Evening, as we all do at this day. But if the Lord's day happen not on the next Morning after the fourteenth Moon, but the sixteenth, seventeenth, or any other Moon take the twenty first, He wai∣ted for it, and the preceding Sabbath, in the Evening he began the Holy Solemnities of Easter, so it came to pass, that the Lord's day of Easter was not kept, unless from the fifteenth day to the twenty first. Neither does this Evangelical and Apostolical Tra∣dition diminish from the Law, but rather fulfils it, in which 'tis observable, that Ea∣ster was commanded from the fourteenth of the first Month at Evening, to the twenty first Moon of the same Month at Evening, which observation all St. John's Successors in Asia after his death, and the whole Church throughout the World were inclined to follow. And that this is the true Easter, and that this ought only to be celebrated by the faithful is confirmed by the Nicene Councel, not lately established, as Ecclesiasti∣cal History informs us; whence it plainly appears, O Colman, that ye do not follow the Example of John (as ye think) neither in the Observation of your Easter do you a∣gree with the Tradition of St. Peter, which wittingly you contradict, nor with the Law, nor with the Gospel, for John keeping Easter time, according to the Decrees of the Mosaick Law, observed not the first day of the Sabbath which ye do, who will not celebrate it upon the first day of the Sabbath. Peter solemnized the Lord's day of Easter from the sisteenth Moon till the twenty first which ye do not, who observe the Lords day of Easter from the fourteenth to the twentieth Moon, so that on the thir∣teenth Moon at Evening ye often begin Easter. Neither did our Lord the Author and giver of the Gospel, eat the old passover on that day, but on the fourteenth Moon at E∣vening, or deliver the Sacraments of the New Testament to be celebrated in Com∣memoration of his Passion; also the twenty first Moon, which the Law especially com∣mends to our Observation, ye utterly reject in the celebration of your Easter; so that, as I said before, ye neither agree with John nor Peter, Law or Gospel, in the so∣lemnizing the great Festival.

To these things Colman answered, Did Anatholius a holy man, and much commen∣ded in the sore-mentioned Church History, think contrary to either Law or Gospel, who writ that Easter was to be kept from the fourteenth to the twentieth? Is it to be imagined, that our most reverend Father Columba and his Successors, men beloved of God, either thought or acted any thing contrary to Holy Writ, When there were ma∣ny amongst them, of whose heavenly Holiness the wonders and powerful Miracles they wrought, have given sufficient Testimony? who, as I ever thought them to be Holy men, so I will never desist from following their times, manners and discipline.

Then Wilfrid, 'Tis evident, said he, that Anatholius was a man very holy, learned and praise-worthy, but what does that concern ye, when ve do not observe his De∣crees? for he in his Easter, following the Rule of Truth, set forth a Circle of nine∣teen years, which ye are either ignorant of, or else utterly contemn, if ve acknowledg it to be kept by the whole Church of Christ. He in the Lord's Easter so reckoned the fourteenth Moon, that he acknowledged, that on the same day, after the manner of the Egyptians, to be the fifteenth Moon at evening, so he observed the twentieth day for the Lord's Easter, but so, that he believed that the day being done to be the one and twentieth, of which rule of distinction he proves thee ignorant, because some∣times ye plainly keep your Easter before the full Moon, that is, on the thirteenth Month. As concerning your Father Columba, and his Followers, whose sanctity ye say ye will imitate, and whose rules and precepts confirmed by heavenly signs ye are resolved to follow; I might Answer, when many at Judgment shall say to the Lord, that they have prophesied in his Name, and cast out Devils, and wrought many won∣ders, the Lord will answer, that he never knew them; But far be it from me that I should speak this of your Fathers, since 'tis more reasonable of uncertain things to entertain good thoughts, than bad; for which reason therefore, I do not deny them to be the Servants of God, and beloved by God, who out of an innocent simplicity,

and a pious intention love God. Neither do I think such an observation of Easter to be much prejudicial to them, as long as no body comes among them that can shew decrees of a better institution which they may follow, who nevertheless, I believe, had some Catholick Calculator better instructed them, would have followed those things which they knew, and had learned to be the Commands of God.

You therefore, and your Associates, if you despise to follow the decrees of the Apostolick See when you have heard them, nay, of the Universal Church, and those confirmed by Holy writ, without doubt ye sin. What though your Fathers were holy, are the paucity of these in a corner of the farthest Island to be preferred be∣fore the Universal Church of Christ over the World? What if this your Columba, and ours too, if he be Christ's, was holy and powerful in Miracles? ought he to be pre∣ferred before the blessed Prince of the Apostles, to whom the Lord said, thou art Peter, and upon this Rock will I build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it, and to thee will I give the Keys of the kingdom of Heaven?

After Wilfrid had thus spoken, the King said, Colman, is it true that these words were spoken by the Lord to Peter? Who answered, True, O King: Then said he, Have you any thing that you can bring to prove so great power was given to Co∣lumba? but he said, No, we have not. The King again said, Do both you agree with∣out any controversie on this, that these words were principally spoken to Peter, and the Keys of the kingdom of Heaven were given him by the Lord? They both answe∣red, Yes. Then the King thus concluded; And I say unto you, because he is the Door∣keeper, I will not contradict him, but as far as I know and am able I desire to obey his commands in all things, lest perchance, I coming to the Gates of the Kingdom of Heaven, there be no body to open, he being turned aside whom you have proved to hold the Keys. After the King had said thus, both those that sate down, and those that stood, great and small, assented; so that the less perfect Institution being aban∣doned, every one made haste to apply themselves to those things they thought better.

The Dispute being ended, and the Assembly dismist, Agilbert returned home. Col∣man seeing his Doctrine slighted, and his Party despised, taking along with him those that were resolved to be of his sect (i. e.) they that would not admit of the Catholick Easter, and shaving of the Crown (for there was no little question about that) re∣turned into Scotland to treat with his Party what he should do in the business. Chad leaving the tract of the Scotish Doctrine, returned to his See, as acknowledging the observation of the Catholick Easter. This Disputation fell out in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord 664, the twenty second year of King Oswy, and the 30th. year of the Bishoprick of the Scots, which they had born in the Province of the English.

The wife of Oswy was Eanfled Daughter of Edwin King of Northumberland; af∣ter the death of her husband, she spent her daies in the Monastery of Streanshalch, where she deceased, and was interred in the Church of St. Peter in the same Mona∣stery.

The Issue of King Oswy by Eanfled was this; Elwin was slain in a battel against Ethelred King of the Mercians. Elfled the eldest Daughter, at a year old, according to the Vow of her Father, was committed to Hilda Abbess of Streanshalch to be bred up in Religion, where she was afterwards Abbess, and was buried in the Church of St. Peters in that Monastery. Offrid the younger Daughter was married to Ethelred King of Mercia. His natural Issue, Alkfrid, who succeeded Ethelwald in Deira, came at last to the whole Crown of Northumberland; Alkfled, married to Peada Son of King Penda, she is taxed by most Writers for the death of her Husband.

EGFRID.

EGFRID eldest Son of King Oswy by his wife Eanfled, succeeded his Father * 3.6 in the Kingdom; A Prince, as he is reported, of an unquiet disposition. His first wars were with Ethelred King of Mercia, who had married his Sister, with whom encountring by the River Trent, he lost great part of his Army, and his Brother Elswin, a youth generally beloved, who amongst the thickset was there unfortunately cut off. Greater bloodshed had like to have ensued, had not Theodorus Archbishop of York interposed and took up the quarrel, so that a sum of mony being paid to Egfrid for the loss of his Brother, the business was happily concluded. His next wars were with the Irish, a Nation, saith Bede, harmless, and great friends to the English; These he unprovoked furiously invades, making no distinction between things holy or profane, but with fire and sword laid waste the Country, and buried it in the Ruines of its Ci∣ties, Temples and Monasteries. The Irish, on the other side, used no other weapons but Prayers, and, as my Author has it, bitter Imprecations, which may be supposed at last to have reached Heaven it self; for the next year, against the counsel and earnest perswasion of his sagest Friends, and especially Cudbert the Bishop, going to wars a∣gainst the Picts, he was trained into narrow straits by the Enemy, and there cut off with most part of his Army. This was so great a blow to the English; that not only the Scots and Picts, who before durst not look beyond their own Country, but the Britains also began to bear up for Liberty, and yearly to gain upon their old e∣nemies.

This King took to wife Ethildrith Daughter of Anna King of the East-Angles, she had been wife to Eunbert Prince of the Gervii, a Nation lying in the Fens, but not∣withstanding marriage, had kept her Virginity. Nor did her second Nuptials with a King make her in the least alter her resolution, and though invited to his Bed, some∣times by passionate entreaties, otherwhiles by perswasions of her friends, who were made privy to it; yet she continued obstinate, contrary to the Apostle's Rule, the dictates of Nature it self, which at one time abhors communion and separation, and against the Laws of common prudence and civility; And all this to pursue an extra∣vagant chastity, and a purity of living against all other obligations whatsoever, how∣ever she be cannonized St. Andrey of Ely, where, it seems, leaving her Husband, she ended her daies.

ALKFRYD.

ALKFRYD, the natural Son of King Oswy, during the Reign of his half * 3.7 Brother, had retired into Ireland, where he was well instructed in the Liberal, Sciences, and, as Bede saith, exceedingly well read in the Scriptures. Advanced to the Crown, he wore it with much prudence and moderation, but the bounds of his Kingdom were much straitned by the inroads of the Picts, and encroachments of the Britains. But what he wanted in extent of Dominion, he made up in the pru∣dent management of what he had. He married Kenburg Daughter of Penda the Mercian, by whom he had an only Son that succeeded him; he ruled twenty years.

OSRED.

OSRED, the Son of Alkfrid, was eight years of age when he came to the Crown, but he was no sooner grown up to any ripeness, but he gave himself * 3.8 to all viciousness of life, committing Incest with veiled Nuns: for which his wife Cuthburga weary of her own dishonour sued a divorce, and built a Monastery at Winburn in Dorsetshire, where she ended her daies, But Osred lived not long after her departure, for he was slain by his own Relations, Kenred and Osric, in the eleventh year of his Reign.

KENRED.

KENRED descended from Ida by a Bastard-line, and succeeded Osred in the * 3.9 Kingdom of Northumberland; his Reign is short, being only of two years continuance, during which time he left nothing memorable behind him.

OSRIC.

OSRIC Reigned ten years without memory of Acts, Parentage, Wife, or Issue * 3.10.

CEOLNULF.

CEOLNULF the Brother of Kenred Ruled the space of eight years, when * 3.11 changing his Crown for a Cowl he turned Monk in Lindisfarn, or Holy I∣sland; yet he proved none of the severest, for he brought his Brethren from Milk and Water to drink good Wine and Ale, bringing along with him good store of provisions and great Treasures, by Simeon, and all, as the same Author writes, to follow poor Christ. To him Bede dedicates his History, but writes no more of him, but that the beginning and process of his Reign met with many troubles, and that the conclusion of them was doubtfully expected. And this is the time of Peace so much commended by the foresaid Author, when Princes, Queens, and Nobility forsaking their charges, and other duties incumbent, run themselves into Monasteries, striving who should be foremost, as if no salvation was to be obtained but in Cells and Cloy∣sters. His Brother was Archbishop of York, and there founded a stately Library.

EGBERT.

EGBERT, Nephew to King Ceolnulf, succeeded in the Kingdom; Whilst he * 3.12 was in wars against the Picts, Ethelbald the Mercian taking advantage of his absence invaded part of Northumberland, but upon what account, or how re∣venged is not related. In these Pictish Wars Egbert subdued Kyle, and brought the Countries adjacent to it under his obedience. Afterwards, in the year 756, he joyns battel with Unust King of the Picts, besieged and took by surrender the City Alclu∣ith, now Dunbritton in Lennox, from the Britains of Cumberland, and ten daies after lost his whole Army about Niwanbirig, when resolving to lay down his Government, though intreated to the contrary by his Subjects and Neighbouring Princes, who pro∣fered to make good to him his losses by surrendring great Territories to him, after the example of his Uncle turned Monk, when he had Reigned twenty years. About these times happened two extraordinary Eclipses, one of the Sun in September, Anno 733; the other of the Moon, Anno 756.

OSWULF.

OSWULF Son of Egbert succeeded his Father; but in the same year was * 3.13 slain of his Servants at a place called Mikelwoughten.

ETHELWALD

ETHELWALD sirnamed Mollo, after the death of Oswulf was advanced to the * 3.14 Crown. In his third year he fought a great battel at Eldune by Melros, slew Oswyn a great Lord, who rebelled against him, and gained an absolute Victory, but three years after he was slain by Alcred, who succeeded him.

ALCRED.

ALCRED descended in the fifth degree from Ida King of Bernicia, after the * 3.15 murther of his Soveraign, seized the Kingdom of Northumberland. In the fourth year of this King's Reign Cataracton now Catarik in Yorkshire, a famous City in the time of the Romans, was burnt to the ground by one Arnred a Tyrant, who the same year came to the like end. I should think that this Arnred might be Alcred, did not others report that he Reigned five years. Afterwards when driven out by his Subjects, with a few Attendants, he fled first to Bebba, a strong Castle in those parts, thence to Kinot King of the Picts. He left Issue Osred, who afterwards came to be King of Northumberland, and Alnud slain by the Danes, and Canonized for a Saint.

ETHELRED.

ETHELRED the Son of Mollo succeeded, who having caused three of his No∣bles, * 3.16 Adwulf, Kinwulf, and Ecca, to be treacherously slain, he was driven out of his Kingdom by Edelbald and Herebert, who overcame him in a set battel.

ELFWALD.

ELFWALD the Son of Oswulf succeeded, a just and upright Prince, yet not * 3.17 freed from civil Commotions, for in his second year Osbald and Ethelheard two Earls, raising an Army against him, routed his general Bearn, and pursuing, burnt him at a place called Seletune. Others relate that Siga was chief Conspirator, and that the King was slain at Scilcester on the wall, and his body buried at Hexam upon Tine: Siggan, five years after laid violent hands on himself. Elfwald left Issue Alfus and Alfin, both slain by Ethelred Son of Mollo.

OSRED.

OSRED the Son of Alcred succeeded, and the same year was deposed and dri∣ven * 3.18 from his Kingdom.

ETHELRED.

ETHELRED Son of Mollo after twelve years banishment (imprisonment, saith * 3.19 Alkuin) was restored again to the Crown, having taken Osred his Predecessour, he shaved his Crown and encloystered him at York, next he draws by fair pro∣mises Alfus and Alfwin, Sons of Elfwald, from the place they had taken Sanctuary in, and barbarously murthers them at a place called Wonwaldremere, a Village by the great Pool in Lancashire now called Winandermer. Nor was his following Reign less bloo∣dy, for Osred, who by force had been made a Monk, not liking the life, had desired Banishment and obtained it. And going into the Isle of Man, raises some small Forces by the encouragement of certain Northumbrian Nobility with whom he kept intelligence, and who promised by oath to assist him in his return, but coming into his Country, he is basely betrayed and deliveren unto Ethelred, who immediately put him to death. To strengthen himself in these Violencies, he marries Elfled the Daugh∣ter of Ossa, putting away his former wife, but he enjoyed not long his Cruelties and Injustice, for he was slain by his own Subjects at Cobre in the year 798. After his death many petty Princes, or Dukes rather, seized the Kingdom, dividing it into parcels, much molested by the Danes who made continual Inroads into those as well as other quarters, which shall be treated of in order in the life of Egbert the West-Saxon, who laid this, as well as other Provinces, to his own Dominion.

THE KINGDOM OF THE East-ANGLES

Contained Counties Suffolk. Norfolk. Cambridgshire. Isle of Ely.

KINGS Uffa. Titulus. Redwald. Earpenwald. Sigebert. Egric. Anna. Ethelherd. Edelwald. Aldulf. Elswold. Beorn. Ethelred. Egilbert.

[illustration]

UFFA, TITULUS.

THE name of this Province testifieth what Nation they were who seated themselves in it, to wit, the Angles a People of Denmark, of the same stock and Original with the Saxons, who coming some of them with Hengist, others with other Captains, chose at length these quarters as the principal Rendezvous of their particular Tribe, whither they flocked so fast that (as Bede re∣porteth) their Native Country in his daies was left almost deso∣late and uninhabitable. The first time of their fixing in these parts is uncertainly guessed at, but with most probability supposed about the year 500, when coming over in several parcels (saith Bede) they were divided into as many Principalities and petty Governments, continually striving among themselves as they had leasure and rest from the Common enemy.

But about the year 575, UFFA the eighth from Woden, in strength and policy overpowered the rest, and either quelling or uniting different factions, moulded the * 3.20 several Lordships into one Crown which he wore with great honour, leaving his name to his Subjects many years after called Uffins, and his Scepter to his Son TITULUS, who upheld the greatness of it during his whole Reign with equal * 3.21 glory, but the particulars of his life and actions are utterly lost, and had not the lustre of his Son and Successour redeemed his Name from oblivion he might well have been left out in the Catalogue of Kings; And this is the reason I shall begin the date of this Kingdom from Redwald his Son who raised it to the highest glory, and made its Infancy more illustrious than its riper years. And this is to be said of this Province above others, that in its first appearance in History we find it in its full proportions, though they not so great, as of other Kingdoms.

REDWALD.

REDWALD the Son of Titulus came to the Kingdom about the year 593. * 3.22 In this first beginnings he was Tributary to Ethelbert King of Kent, and served him as a Vice-Roy over all his Dominions, by which means he gained experience in Government, and after the death of that Potent King so managed his business that he became Monarch of the English-men, and had all his Neighbours at his disposal. The great Scene of his life, which raised him to extent of dominion and reputation in the World was, his encounter with Edilfrid the Wild, a mighty Conque∣querour, and who had stretched his Dominions from Sea to Sea. Him Redwald in the height of his glory and the pride of Victory undertakes in the quarrel of Ed∣win, as hath been related in the life of that Prince, and overthrows with his whole Host at the River Idle near Nottingham, after which he marched into Northumber∣land, where having established Edwin in his Throne he returns into his own Country loaden with Honour, leaving the World to admire his Moderation and Justice as well Conduct and Valour.

He had formerly been Baptized in Kent, but it seems more in compliance to E∣thelbert, than that he was really perswaded of the truth of that Religion; For re∣turning into his own Country, by the perswasions of his Wife he was easily brought to his old Idolatry, but fearing perhaps that the Christian Faith might prove true he was not willing wholly to reject either, so that to be sure on one side or other he crected in the same Temple an Altar for the service of Christ, and another for burnt Sacrifices to his Idols.

This Prince kept his usual Court of residence at Rendelisham nigh Ufford in Suf∣folk, and as Bede interpreteth the word Rendelisham, it is nothing but Rendil's Man∣sion place, that is, saith Mr. Cambden, Redwald's Court.

EARPENWALD.

EARPENWALD the Son of Redwald succeeded him in the Kingdom, and * 3.23 by the perswasions of Edwin King of Northumberland openly professed the Christian Religion which his Father would not own but by halves, but he not long survived his Conversion, for he was slain by Ricbert a Pagan. He had been baptized by Foelix a Bishop a Burgundian by Nation, whom Honorius Archbishop of Canterbury sent into the Province to teach the Nation, who held his Seat at a place called Dommoc now Dunwick, a Town well peopled even to the Conquerours daies, and long after much frequented and strongly fortified, till upon the removal of the Bi∣shop's Seat and the breaking in of the Sea it became almost desolate.

SIGEBERT.

SIGEBERT succeeded in the Kingdom, he was the Son of Redwald's Wife, half-Brother to the late King. The jealousies of Redwald had caused him to re∣tire * 3.24 into France, where he continued during his Reign and the Reign of his Suc∣cessour, having the opportunity all the while to instruct himself in good Literature in which that Country then abounded, and learn the Christian Religion of which he was a sound Professour. After the death of Earpenwald returning home of his own accord, or, as others write, recalled, he took upon him the Government of the King∣dom, which with great prudence he ruled, taking care first that his People should be rightly instructed in the Christian Religion, and that afterwards they might secure themselves from Ignorance and Idolatry, he introduced the custom of France in their Schools, modelling a form after the example he had received there: And send∣ing for some Teachers out of Kent, by the assistance of Foelix his Bishop he settled a

place of teaching, generally thought to be the University of Cambridge, after which he betook himself to a monastick life, recommending the care of Government to E∣gric his near Kinsman.

EGRIC.

EGRIC Reigned four years, when being invaded by Penda the Mercian in one battel he lost both life and kingdom. It is said that before the fight began, * 3.25 the East-Angles trusting to the conduct of Sigibert their former King, had intreated him to take the Command that day, having to that purpose, though much unwilling, drawn him from his Monastery to the Camp. But he playing the Monk, not Captain, with only a white Wand in his hand went upon the enemy, where, with Egric he was slain.

ANNA.

ANNA next of Blood, and descended from Ufsa in the sisth degree, suc∣ceeded * 3.26 Egric in the Kingdom of the East-Angles, Recorded a just and good man, but his vertues exempted him not from the fate of his Predecessours, for he was taken off by the same hands of Penda the Mercian. His eldest Son Firmimus fell in battel with him, and was buried with him at Blithborow; his other Son was Erchenwald Abbot of Chertside and Bishop of London; his Daughters were royally married, and we meet with them as they are mixed in the Histories, only thus much may be said of them together; That after their death they had all the fortune to be Canonized.

ETHELHERD.

ETHELHERD the Brother of Anna succeeded him in the Kingdom. Fear∣ing * 3.27 the power of Penda he joyned with him, who was now about to make war upon Northumberland; but he found the Amity of that Pagan as fatal to him as his Arms had been to his Brother and former Predecessours; For whilst in a battel against Oswy he assisted that Tyrant, he fell with him, leaving three Sons be∣hind him, Aldulf, Elswolf, and Beorn, who all three not long after succeeded in the Kingdom. His wife was Hereswith Sister of Hilda, the famous Abbess of Streans∣halch, and Great-Grandchild to Edwin King of Northumberland.

EDELWALD.

EDELWALD succeeded his Brother in the Kingdom of the East-Angles, * 3.28 and held it nine years without any Action, leaving a Son called Ethelred, who came not to the Crown till Ethelherd's Children had Reigned in their turns.

ALDULF.

ALDULF the eldest Son of Ethelherd succeeded his Uncle Edelwald in the * 3.29 Kingdom, and held it ten years without other memory.

ELFWOLD.

ELFWOLD the second Son of King Ethelherd Reigned seven years in the same * 3.30 obscurity.

BEORN.

BEORN the youngest Son of King Ethelberd succeeded without any other * 3.31 circumstance of his life, only his Reign is supposed to be twenty three years. But indeed the length and continuance of these three last Princes Reigns are uncertainly calculated by Historians, whether it were that the Province of the East-Angles lay at so great distance from the Scene of Action in these daies, or indeed, that they did nothing worth Recording. The next Prince we hear of is Ethelred.

ETHELRED.

ETHELRED the Son of King Edelwald, Brother of Anna, succeeded in * 3.32 the Kingdom of the East-Angles about the year of Grace (as may be most pro∣bably guessed) 714, and reigned fifty two years, all which time is passed over in silence, saving that the Writer of his Life mentioneth his Wive's name to be Leo∣frun the Mother of the next unfortunate Prince.

EGILBERT.

EGILBERT Son of Ethelred and Leofrun his wife, succeed in the Kingdom * 3.33 of the East-Angles; A Prince of great hopes in his youth, addicting himself to the studies of good Literature, and in his advancement to the Crown ruling his Kingdom with great justice, prudence and moderation. But in the year 792 he was taken off by the treachery of Ofsa the Mercian, who by fair promises of giving him his Daughter in marriage, drew him to his Court at Sutton Wallis in the County of Hereford, and there against all Laws of Nature and common Hospitality, most bat∣barously chopt off his head.

Matthew of Westminster reporteth it done by the instigation of his wife, envying the pomp and splendour of this Princely Woer, who to take his Lady it seems brought with him a gay and more than ordinary Retinue. His body was at first pri∣vately buried at Morden upon the River Lug, but afterwards upon remorse Ofsa removed it to Hereford; And to make amends at least to the Church for the murther, he hunts out the Relicks of St. Alban, it seems his particular Saint, and them miracu∣lously found enshrines in pearl and gold, such trivial satisfactions shewed in those times to daub over the Conscience, for Villanies scarce practised amongst the most barbarous Pagans. For notwithstanding this splendid kind of Repentance, Ofsa takes possession of the Inheritance of the murthered, laying the Country of the East-Angles to his own Dominions, which Vineyard as it was bloodily obtained, so it lasted not long unto him or his posterity; For the Danes breaking in like wild Bores, laid it waste not long after. But of the occurrences of those times I shall speak in the successive Ages they were done in, intending in this Heptarchy to write only to the times of King Egbert the West-Saxon, the first sole Monarch of England.

The Kingdom of the East-Angles was bounded on the East and North by the Sea, on the South it bordered upon Essex and Hartfordsbire, and on the West it had a Ditch commonly called St. Edmund's Ditch for its principal limits.

THE KINGDOM OF MERCIA

Contained Counties Cheshire. Darbyshire. Nottingham. Staffordshire. Shropshire. Northamptonshire. Leicestershire. Lincolnshire. Huntington. Rutland. Warwickshire. Worcestershire. Oxfordshire. Glocestershire. Buckinghamshire. Bedfordshire. Part of Hertfordshire.

KINGS Crida. Wibba. Ceorl. Penda. Peada. Vulfer. Ethelred. Kenred. Kelred. Ethelbald. Beornred. Offa. Egfrid. Kenmolf. Kenelm.

[illustration]

THE Kingdom of Mercia though of largest extent, yet was in¦feriour in point of strength and power to far lesser Provinces, whose Pavilions though not stretched so wide were sure fixed in the earth, and had means by turns to prey upon this great body, not able at once on all sides to secure it self from their several incursions. Thus like a Bull at stake, seated in the midst of the Island, though sometimes it found means to toss and almost over∣turn particular Kingdoms, yet staved off by others and con∣stantly kept warm by new Assailants, it ever lost behind what it gained forwards, and was not at any time able so to keep all employed, but that one or other taking breath would return afresh upon it. It had on the north the Kingdom of Northumber∣land, and its Limits on that side were the Humber and Mersey, from whence it is supposed to have taken name. On the East it extended to the Sea through Lincoln∣shire; and South-east had the East-Angles and East-Saxon Kingdoms lying upon it. South it reached to the Thames, where it was obnoxious to Kent the South and West-Saxons; and on the West it was kept in by the Severn and Dee, which gave passage to the Britains to break in upon it.

Thus we see this unwieldy Kingdom, which in front would seem to bear down all before it, is so coopt up and hem'd in on every side, that it rather labours under its own greatness,

CRIDA, WIBBA, CEORL.

THE first beginner of this Kingdom was CRIDA, the eleventh from VVoden, who having reigned ten years without other memory left it to his Son WIBBA in the year 594, who enlarging the bounds of his Kingdom by continual Con∣quests upon the Britains, reigned twenty years, and had Issue three Son, Penda, Ken∣walk, and Eoppa, and a Daughter Sexburg, married to Kenwald King of the VVest-Sa∣xons. But he was succeeded by his Nephew CEORL, who holding the Scepter twelve years, dying left it to the right Heir

PENDA.

PENDA the Son of Wibba at fifty years of Age came to the Crown, a war-like Captain, but withal bloody and restless. His first Wars were with Kin∣gils * 3.34 and Cuichelm, joynt Kings of the West-Saxons, whom he met at Cirencester, and after a battel fought well on both sides, made Truce with them in the year 632. He joyned with Kedwalla or Cadwallon King of the Britains against Edwin King of Northumberland, slaying him in Battel with his Son Osfrid at a place called Hethfield. In the year 642. with his own forces he overcame Oswald, the Successour of Edwin (who before had victoriously cut off Cadwallon with his whole Host) at a place called Maserfield, now Oswestre in Shropshire, where he slew him. He conquered Sigebert, Egbert, and Anna, Kings of the East-Angles, and killed them in the field, as hath been related in the story of those Princes. Next he makes War upon Kenwalch, King of the West-Saxons, who had taken his Sister in marriage, and unjustly put her away; him he drives out of his Kingdom. When proud with these Successes, taking into his Society Ethelherd King of the East-Angles, and Ethelwald King of Deira, he resolves upon the Conquest of Northumberland; but Oswy then King of that Coun∣try with a few forces soberly managed cut him off with the greatest part of his Army.

The news of his death was joyfully received by all the Saxon Princes, glad to be well rid of him, who during his Life had given them so much trouble. He was a Pagan through choice not ignorance, and in several Conjunctions with Christian Prin∣ces had learnt to despise the Professours of that way, as who owning in words a Faith more excellent, shewed nothing less in their Actions, yet he prohibited not preaching in his Dominions, but giving free liberty to all, he only hated and despised such, who did not obey that God in whom they chose to believe.

His Male Issue by Kinswith his Queen runs thus, Peada his eldest Son, Ulfere and E∣thelred both Monarchs of the English, Merkthel famous for holiness of Life, Merwald, who had a Principality in Mercia, and married Edburga daughter of Egbert King of Kent. His Daughters were Kineburg Wife of Alkfrid King of Northumberland, Ki∣niswith Wife of Offa King of the East-Angles, both which Daughters afterwards became Nuns.

PEADA.

PEADA the eldest Son of Penda succeeded not in the whole Kingdom of * 3.35 Mercia, for Oswy King of Northumberland entring the Country, took possessi∣on in right of a Conqueror, but to Peada, who had married his Daughter, he gave by Donation all on the South-side of Trent, and reserved to himself the North. By his Father Penda long before he had been made Prince of the Mid-Angles, a particular branch of the Mercian Crown, and there with his good liking had planted the Chri∣stian Religion to the knowledge of which he came upon this occasion: Applying to King Oswy for his Daughter Alckfled, he received Answer, That unless he turned Christian, and admitted that Religion into his Dominions, he should surcease his Suit. Peada unwilling to be baffled accepts the motion, and having heard some Preachers to that purpose, professeth himself to be so taken with the Doctrine, that whether he receive the Lady or not, he resolves to embrace it with all his People, which good Intentions of his were furthered by Alckfrid Oswy's Son, who, besides that he had taken to wife Cymburga his Sister, had contracted a near Friendship with him. All

things therefore agreed, he is baptized by Bishop Finan, at the King's Pallace on the Wall, and then with his Wife and new Religion, returns into his own Country, most part of which, by the assistance of some Priests carried along with him, he soon brought to the same profession. But now Prenda being dead and his Territory enlar∣ged through the Accession of South Mercia, he had not reigned three years, when he was cut off by the Treason of his Wife, whom he had taken for a special Chri∣stian.

WULFER.

WULFER the Brother of King Peada succeeded him not only in the Pro∣vince * 3.36 of South-Mercia, but in the entire Kingdom of his Ancestors: For Immin, Eaba, and Eadbert, three Potent Earls casting off the Yoke of Os∣wy, restored the whole North into his possession, which he maintained during the whole Reign of that Monarch. But Oswy dead, Egfrid his Son and Successour endea∣voured to recover what his Father had lost, and invading this Wulfer, won from him the Isle of Lindsey, and the Countrys adjacent, and content with that revenge returns home with his forces. But Wulfer was now employed in War with Kenwald King of the West-Saxons, against whom he had better success; for entering his Country with a powerful Army, he laid it waste from one end to the other, took away from him the Isle of VVight, which with some Countrys of the Meannari adjoyning, he gave to Edilwalch the South-Saxon, whom he had made a Christian, and received at the Font. Af∣terwards he fought a Battel with Escwin King of the VVest-Saxons, at a place called Be∣danhafde,, but which side won the day is not recorded. He reigned seventeen years, and was buried at Peterborough, his Queen Ermenheld after his death vailed her self at Ely. He is reported to have had three Sons, whereof the eldest named Kenred reig∣ned after his Brother Ethelred, his two younger Vulfald and Rufin, as the Records of Peterborough report, were slain by their Fathers own hands, being found in an Assem∣bly of Christians. For this King at first (as is said) was a great Persecutor of that way, and if Fame belye him not after his conversion none of the sincerest Christi∣ans. For the Bishoprick of London he sould to Wini, who had been driven out of Winchester by Kenwalch the Saxon King. But however this Simony be blameable in Wulfer, yet he afterwards made amends in sending Jerumannus, a painful Bishop to recover the East-Saxons, who had fell from the Christian Religion into open Ido∣latry.

ETHELRED.

ETHELRED the Brother of Wulfer obtained next the Kingdom, for Ken∣red * 3.37 the Son of Wulfer was put by, upon what Account is not recorded. His first Actions were the recovery of Lindsey, and other Territories adjoyning, which his Brother had lost to Egfrid King of Northumberland. Afterwards he turned his Arms upon Kent, wasted that Country, sparing neither Church or Monastery, and sacked the City of Rochester, notwithstanding what resistance Lothair could make against him. Putta their Bishop was forced to fly into Mercia, where he sustai∣ned his old age by teaching School. But Ethelred after thirty years Reign, weary of the cares of Government retired to a Monastery at Bradney, which himself had built and to make amends for his Injustice, he restored the Crown to Kenred his Nephew, though he had a Son of his own of Age able to succeed him. His Wife Ostrid was slain by her own Subjects, as Bedes Epitome Records.

Florence names them South-Imbrians, but tells not the occasion of such horrid Treason.

KENRED.

KENRED having received the Crown from his Uncle Ethelred held it but * 3.38 four years, when desirous to return to his private Life, he commended the care of Government to Kelred, the Son of Ethelred, and in company of Offa, the Son of Siger, the East-Angle King, and Edwin Bishop of Worcester went to Rome in the time of POPE Constantine the first, where he and his Royal Companion were both shorn Monks, and ended their days.

KELRED.

KELRED the Son of Ethelred by the Resignation of Kenred came to the * 3.39 Crown of Mercia in the year 715, he had an encounter with Ina King of the West-Saxons at a place called Wodnesburg in Wiltshire, the success where∣of is left doubtful. Mr. Speed in his succession of English Monarchs, treating of this Kelred gives him high commendations, as a Prince beloved of his Subjects for his Vertues, and much lamented by them at his death. Thus he dresseth him up, whom he will needs have to be the fourteenth Monarch, but, as his custom is, without the least shew of Authority, nay absolutely against it; For we read in an Epistle of Boniface Archbishop of Mentz, written to his Successor Ethelbald and yet extant, that he * 3.40 was a defiler of Nuns, and a breaker of the Priviledges of the Church. And he ad∣monisheth that Prince by his example to beware of such ossences, lest they bring him into the same destruction; For Kelred one day sitting at a Feast with his Nobles, in the midst of his jollity was taken with an evil Spirit, which worke him into high fits of distraction, so that mad and raging he talked wildly by himseif, and re∣fusing the comforts of the Ministry and Saeraments, finally died in despair of his salvation.

ETHELBALD.

ETHELBALD of the Royal blood succeeded Kelred, not unlike him in his exorbitant life, as the same Epistle of the Archbishop of Mentz doth * 3.41 witness, but reclaimed in the end by that and other good advices, he proved an excellent Prince. Aften the death of King Ina the West-Saxon, he so managed his affairs that all on this side Humber was intire at his Command. He besieged and took the Town of Somerton about the year 740. And whilst Eadbert King of Northumberland was taken up in his Putish wars, he entered his Country in his absence, as the supple∣ment of Bede's Epitome Records testifie. Afterwards he waged War with Cuthred the West-Saxon, newly come to his Crown, whom he often engaged with inter change∣able success. But at last coming to a Peace, they joyn both their Forces and invade the Welch, whom in a great battel they overthrow. But in the year 752 Cuthred the West-Saxon falling again at variance with him, they sought another battel at Borford, now Burford in Shropshire, and a year after at a place called Secundune now Seckin∣ton, eight miles from Tamworth in Warmickshire. He was slain, as Huntington re∣porteth, by the same Prince, others say, he was murthered in the night by his own Guards through the Treason of Beornred, out of ambition to succeed him.

In this King's Reign at a Synod held at Gloveshow by Cuthbert Archbishop of Canterbury it was ordained, among other things, that the Lord's day should be care∣fully * 3.42 observed, that the reading of the Holy Scriptures should be generally used in Monasteries, that the Creed and Lord's Prayer should be taught in the English tongue, and that publick Supplications should be made for Kings and all in Authority.

BEORNRED.

BEORNRED having trayterously slain King Ethelbald, stept into the Throne himself about the year 754, but he enjoyed not long his ill-gained * 3.43 Honour, for Offa the next of the Royal Family having for some time lain con∣cealed until he could unite his Interest, at length came upon him, and in a set battel slew him, after he had held the Kingdom by Usurpation for the space of two years or thereabouts, as may be most probably calculated.

OFFA.

OFFA at the death of Beornred was received by the universal consent of his * 3.44 People, and advanced to the Crown of his Ancestours. He proved the Greatest that ever swayed this Scepter, but though he often gave fair strokes for the whole Monarchy of the Island, yet he was never able to compass that design. His first enterprize was against the Hestings a neighbouring People, whom he quickly subdued and added to his own Dominions. Next he invades Kent, and slaies their King Alric at a place called Ottenford, then recalled by the West-Saxon King he en∣gages with him at Besington, where he wins the day and the Town for which they contended. And now to add Treachery to his Conquests, he invites Egilbert King of the East-Angles to his Court with fair promises of his Daughter in marriage, whom no sooner come but he beheads', and then seizeth his Kingdom. But the baseness of this action blunted his Sword, and we never after find him the same man as before, so that the remaining part of his life will be spent in recounting his satisfactions, Pilgrimage and such other deeds. To expiate this murther, he gave the Tenths of all he had to the Church, and great possessions to the Church of Hereford, where Egilbert was buried; He caused the Reliques of St. Alban to be enshrined in a Cask of Gold set with precious Jewels, and to the Martyr himself gives Lands and Tenements the Ancient demesns of his Crown. He took a Journy to Rome, to the Colledge of English there he gave a yearly Pension, and a Tribute to the Pope through all his Do∣minions, for which he obtained that the Primacy of England was translated from Canterbury to Litchfield in his own Dominions. He obtained of Charles the Great, that the English going to Rome should be free from Customes, and other duties. With Charles the Great during his whole Reign he had great intercourse, sometimes enmity, otherwhiles friendship, as appears by the kind Letters of that Emperour written to him yet extant, wherein he stiles him the MOST POTENT KING OF THE WEST CHRISTIANS.

And now about this time were Images first brought into the English Church to be worshipped; for Charles the Great sent the decrees of the Synod of Nice into Bri∣tain, of which hear what Hoveden writes, wherein saith he, Alas for pity! by the unanimous consent of three hundred Bishops or more met together in that Councel were decreed many things inconvenient, may quite contrary to the true Faith, as is most espe∣cially the worshipping of Images, which the Church of God doth absolutely hate. Against which Book * 3.45 Albinus wrote an Epistle, excellently well strengthned with the Authority of the Holy Scriptures, which, together with the aforesaid Book, himself presented in the name of the Princes and Bishops of this Land unto the aforesaid Charles King of France.

Which Book is reported to have so worked with that Emperour, that in the Synod of Frankford he caused those Constitutions to be repealed.

This Offa to keep the Britains from making inrode into his Country, caused a Ditch or Trench to be made almost an hundred miles in length from Sea to Sea; that is, from the mouth of the River Wy unto Dee, concerning which in after daies John of Salisbury in his Policration writeth thus, Herald ordained a Law, that what Welch-man soever should be found with a weapon on this side the limit which he had set them, that is to say, Offa's Dike, he should have his Right hand cut off by the King's Officers.

The Issue of King Offa was,

Fgfrid, his Son and Successour.

Ethelburga, married to Birthric King of the West-Saxons, of whose life and death you will read in the next Kingdom.

Elsled, supposed second wife of Ethelred King of Northumberland.

Elsrid the youngest Daughter, promised in marriage to Egilbert King of the East-Angles.

EGFRID.

EGFRID the Son of Offa had in his life time been made Partner with his Fa∣ther * 3.46 in the Kingdom, and as if his life had been woven up with his, he survived him but four Months, having given his Subjects the hopes of a longer Reign he restored to the Church whatever his Father and Predecessours had taken from them. He had neither Wife nor Issue, and was buried in the Church of St. Albans, of his Father's foundation.

KENWOLF.

KENWOLF of the Royal blood succeeded Egfrid in the Kingdom; he * 3.47 had Wars with Ethelbert sirnamed Pren King of Kent, whom taking pri∣soner he brought into Mercia, and soon after at the High Altar dismissed, having, as Simeon reports, put out his eyes and lopt off his hands. He Reigned twenty one years, and was buried in the Monastery of Winchcomb, which himself had founded.

KENELM.

KENELM the Son of Kenwolf, a Child of seven years, was left under * 3.48 the Tuition of his elder Sister Quendrid, but she ambitious to Rule her self caused him to be made away by one Askbert, who alluring him to the Woods on pretence to hunt there, slew him and secretly buried his body, the murther is said to be miraculously discovered by a Dove dropping a written Note on the Altar at Rome; it was this,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Mr. Milton thus renders it:

Low in a Mead of Kine under a Thorn, Of head bereast ly'th poor Kenelm King-born?

Soon after the death of this Prince the Kingdom of Mercia became Tributary to Egbert the West-Saxon Monarch, though not without some strugling on both sides; but the Actions of suceeding Princes in this Kingdom, as they were but few and happened all in the life of that Monarch, so I shall reserve them to be told there in their due place, for in this Heptarchy I design not to write any further than to his daies, who by degrees united the divided States, and moulded them into one entire Dominion.

THE KINGDOM OF THE West-SAXONS

Contained Counties Cornwall. Devonshire. Dorcetshire. Somersetshire. Wiltshire. Hantshire. Barkshire.

KINGS Cerdic. Kenric. Ceaulin. Cearlick. Ceowlf. Kingils. Kenwalch. Eskwyn. Ketwyn. Ceadwalla. Ina. Ethelard. Cuthred. Sigibert. Kinwulf. Birthric.

[illustration]

CERDIC.

CERDIC, the Tenth in descent from Woden and the Beginner of the West-Saxon Kingdom, with five ships and Kenric his Son * 3.49 setting forth from Germany arrived at Britain in the year 495, and landed at a place afterwards called from his name, Cerdic-Shore. He was an old experienced Souldier, and long exercised in the Wars of Saxony. At his first setting foot on land he gave signal proofs of his Valour by often repelling the Britains who endeavoured to hinder this New settlement, and for six years together without any fresh supplies maintained his ground with advantage; about which time, Porta ano∣ther * 3.50 Saxon, with his two Sons Bida and Megla in two ships arrive at Portsmouth, thence called, and at their first landing slay a British Noble man, with many of the Common sort, who disorderly gathered against them.

The Britains to redeem these losses, with strong Musters though slowly assemble together under Natanleod, or Nazaleod, a British King, and one of their greatest, saith * 3.51 Huntington (however he came by so unusual a name) but are miserably defeated, with the death of their Prince and five thousand of his men. In this battel it is said that Cerdic was assisted by Ella the South-Saxon, and Oisc King of Kent, together with Porta who had now been seven years in the Island. From this British King the Saxon Annals write, that a small Region adjoyning to Cerdicsford was called Nazaleod.

Six years after Stuf and Withgar, Cerdic's Nephews, with three ships land at Cerdics∣ford, or as others say, Certic shore, and in a set battel overthrow the Britains, and * 3.52 five years following, if the former battel be not to be referred to this time, Cerdic again with his Son obtained another signal Victory, upon the gaining of which, and the strength of the new supplies, he at last assumed Regal Dignity. After he had

continued conquering in the Isle twenty four years, the Saxon Annals report a third Battel fought at the same place, but with doubcful success, as if this only had been the field of fortune.

Mr. Cambden in his Chronographical Description of these two places, Cerdic shoar and Cerdics-ford hath much confounded the natural course of this History, by pla∣cing them at so vast a distance, which if true, can never be reconciled with the truth of these Relations. Cerdic shoar be placeth as far as Yarmouth. Cerdic a warlike Saxon (saith he) landed here (i. e.) at Yarmouth, whereupon the Inhabitants at this day call the * 3.53 place Cerdic-sand, and the writers of Histories Cerdic shoar, and after he had made sore War upon the Icent took Sea, and sayled from hence into the West parts. But our Histo∣rians make no mention of his ever changing his design, or sayling into any other parts after his first landing; and I am afraid the Coincidence of like Names, honourably to derive a place, was the cause of this neat invention; for otherwise, what reason could there be that he should forsake a Country, wherein he had good success, and from whence he might easier expect supplies from Saxony, to go seek out new Terri∣tories further off, and where (for ought we know) he had no reason to expect better quarters or kinder entertainment? Let us see therefore where he placeth Cerdics-ford, for by the course of the story, Cerdic-shoar is not to be sought far from it, and we shall find them both on the Coasts of Hantshire. Hard by the Western bounds (saith Mr. Camb∣den) the River Aven carrieth a still stream, and no sooner runneth into this shoar, but it meet∣eth * 3.54 with the Ford of Cerdicus, in old time Cerdics-ford, afterward Cerdeford, and now by Contraction of the word Chardford, so named of Cerdic, that Warlike English Sa∣xon. For here the said Cerdic in a set Battel so daunted the Britains, that not only he enlarged the bounds of his Empire, but also delivered an easie War unto his Posterity, ha∣ving before time, in the year of our Salvation 508, after great Conflicts in his Tract, van∣quish't the most mighty King of the Britains Natanleod, called also Nazaleod by others, with many of his people. Of whose name likewise a small Region reaching unto this Place was termed Natanleod, as we read in the Annals of the English Saxons, which I sought very curiously for, but hitherto could not find so much as any small sign or sample of that Name, neither can I guess, who that Natanleod should be. This seemeth naturally to be the place where the foresaid Actions were performed; for, besides the Testimo∣ny of the Name, the place it self lying at a moderate distance from the South-Sa∣xons new acquests, it is reasonable to think, that Cerdic would not go much further, but rather sit down at such a convenient distance, where he might give or re∣ceive Assistance, as occasion should serve, from his Country-men already set∣tled.

It being therefore granted, that this Charford was the ancient Cerdics-ford, let us see if we cannot find Cerdic-shoar also upon this Coast. For since his Nephews are said to land at Cerdics-shoar, and bring him thither new Supplies after his Battel at Cerdics-ford, either Cerdics-shoar must be nigh this Cerdics-ford, or else they must land at Cerdics shoar at Yarmouth, and so, through the Enemies Country march to Cerdics-ford in Hantshire, which is fondness to suppose. Or lastly, the whole action must be laid at Yarmouth, which will not suit with the foundation of the Western Kingdom. I have sought many places on this Coast of Hantshire, but can find none that answer ex∣actly to the name of Cerdic, but allowing that Cerdicford, as Mr. Cambden says, makes Charford, we find another place of the same name, not far off, upon the Sea-side in the Isle of Purbek in Dorsetshire, and Norwest of Pool a Town called Charborough as much as Cherdic-borough; but herein I desire not to be too fanciful, but certain it is by the consent of all our Historians, where ever Cerdics-ford lay, Cerdics-shoar was not far di∣stant, though the name be now worn out, and perhaps the places aforementioned, as likewise Charmouth by Lime may give some satisfaction that this was the Coast.

Mr. Speed with whom nothing would go down of the British History, whilst he followed the Light of Mr. Cambden, now he is left to himself in the Saxon, swallows whatever any fabulous Monk, Trivial Legend, or his Brother Stow imposeth upon him; from them I suppose it is, that he reporteth that the Isle of VVight, after the Conquest of it by Cerdic, was given to his Nephews, Stuff and VVithgar, the later of which slew the Iahabitants thereof, and named the place of his Victory VVithgarbirg, and af∣terwards reigning King there, was after his death buried in his Royal City VVith∣gar.

This is a reach, I suppose, whoever was Inventor, to derive the name of the Island, for in Authentick story we find no such Relation.

Cerdic had Issue two Sons, Kenric and Chelwolf, the former succeeded him in the Kingdom; Chelwolf died before his Father, but left a Son of whose race afterwards sate upon the Throne. Cerdic Reigned nineteen years after he had assumed Royal Title, and left his Kingdom to his Son Kenric.

KENRIC.

KENRIC the eldest Son of Cerdic succeeded his Father in the Kingdom. Twice he fought the Britains and foiled them, once at Searesbirig now Salis∣bury * 3.55 in the eighteenth year of his Reign, and four years after at Beranvirig now Banbury, accompanied with his Son Ceaulin. In this field the Britains, saith Huntington, were divided into three Battalions, but the Saxon charged in one main body, the success, saith he, was doubtful on both sides, and the night parted them. Kenric Reigned twenty seven years, and had three Sons, Ceaulin, Cuthwolf, and Cuth, the last of which was notable in his Issue, for his eldest Son came to be King, the second was Father, the third Grandfather of a King, as in the following History will appear.

CEAULIN.

CEAULIN the eldest Son of Kenric, his Father dead, entered upon the King∣dom. In the beginning of his Reign he employed his Arms against young * 3.56 Ethelbert of Kent, who, as hath been related, aspired to an universal Mo∣narchy, and forced him to sit down quiet, with the harassing of his Country, and the death of two of his chief Earls. In his tenth year he managed his Wars by his Bro∣ther Cuthwolf, who encountering the Britains at Bedanford now Bedford, gave them a great defeat, and took four Towns from them, Liganborough, Egelsborough or Alls∣bury, Besington now Benson in Oxfordshire, and Ignesham or Evesham; but he out∣lived not long his good success, but left a Son behind him who succeeded his Uncle in the Kingdom.

Cuthwolf dead, Ceaulin in person with his Son Cuthwin undertakes the War, and about the year 581 at a place called Diorth Deorrham in Glocestershire he obtains a great Victory, slaying in one battel three British Kings, Coinmagil, Condidan, and Farimnagil, which good success was attended with the surrender of as many Cities, Badencester, Glocester, and Cireneester. About five years after at a place called Fe∣danly or Fechanly, possibly about Fekenham Forest in Worcestershire, he again met the Britains, but not with like success, for Matthew of Westminster giveth a clear Victory to the Britains, and Huntington alloweth the beginning of the day to be theirs, for with the death of Cuthwin the Saxons were wholly put to rout, but Ceaulin rallying his scattered Forces, not only put stop to the pursuit, but as that Author writeth, recovered an intire Victory, with the purchase over and above of many Towns and large Territories. But the sequel declareth nothing less, for the same year, or not long after, we find the Britains again giving him battel, and that in Wiltshire at a place called Wodens-Beorth or Wodens-Dic, that is to say Woden's Mount, the conclusion of which was, that the Saxons lost the day with the ruine of their whole Army, and Ceaulin for this or other miscarriages was driven out of his Kingdom, and the year after died in Exile after he had Reigned thirty two years.

CEARLIK.

CEARLIK the Son of Guthwolf Brother of the late King followed his * 3.57 Uncle Ceaulin, advanced, as may be guessed, from his Father's vertues, and the dislike the people had to the Line of Ceaulin, who by his Son Cuthwin left two Grandchildren, Kenbald and Cuth, whose Right it was to inherit; but the latter of these Reigned afterwards in his Posterity, being the Grandfather of the famous Ine, the eleventh King of this Province, whose Brother Ingils was Progeni∣tor in the fourth degree to Egbert that reduced the whole Heptarchy into an entire Monarchy. This Cearlik, as he had obtained the Kingdom by fraud and usurpation, so he held it but a short while, Reigning five years and odd months, and them with∣out any action worthy of remembrance.

CEOWOLF.

CEOWOLF the Son of Cuth, the third and youngest Son of Kenric, after the * 3.58 death of his Cousin-German Cearlic, obtained the Kingdom. During the whole time of his Reign, which lasted twelve years, he had continual wars, sometimes with the Britains, then with Redwald King of the East-Angles, and after∣wards with the South-Saxons, with interchangeable success, but, saith Huntington, with the greatest loss to them of the South. In these Wars he died, leaving his King∣dom to Kingils.

KINGILS.

KINGILS the Son of Ceola younger Brother to the late Ceowolf second Son of Cuth, who was the third Son of Kearic, succeeded his Uncle in the * 3.59 Kingdom; He assumed for his Associate Cuichelm his Brother, or as Florent of Worcester and Matthew of Westminster write, his Son: In their third year with joynt Forces they engaged the Britains at Beandune now Bindon in Dorcetshire, and * 3.60 at the first encounter put them to flight with the slaughter of above two thousand.

Cuichelm proud with this success, and envying the glory of Edwin who now Reigned in great honour King of the Northumberlands, and had lately molested the West-Saxons, drew a greater War upon himself and Associate by sending an Assassin to murther that Prince. The name of this Villain was Eumcrus, who under pre∣tence of a Message from his Master was admitted to the presence of Edwin, then at his Court on Easter-monday on the River Derwent in Yorkshire, being advanced up to the King, as if he would deliver his Embassie, he suddenly drew forth a poysoned weapon which he had privately hid under his Coat, and made a blow at him; but by the interposition of Lilla one of the Kings Attendants, who stepping between received the Ponyard through his own body, the thrust was put off, yet not so fully but that part of the weapon reached the King's Person. By this time the whole company came in and incompassed the Murtherer, who now grown desperate died not tamely, but revenged his fate with the death of Forder a Courtier who next pressed upon him.

Edwin thus delivered, though lying under cure, resolves upon Revenge, and pro∣miseth Paulinus who had been long working him to the Christian Faith, that if God would bestow Victory on him over his Enemies, he would embrace the Faith and re∣ceive Baptism. With these assurances given, he raises an Army and invades the West-Saxons, and with that success, that overcoming them in several battels he gets into his hands many of those who had conspired his death, some of which he executes, others pardons, and at last returns with great Honour into his own Country.

This expedition happened about the year 625. Four years after Kingils and Cui∣chelm had a battel with Penda the Mercian at Cirencester, the result of which was a League of peace and amity betwixt them. About this time the Kingdom of the West-Saxons received the Faith by the example of Kingils, who was converted thereto by the preaching of Berinus and encouragement of Oswald (who was then Suiter to his Daughter) and received him at the Font; the circumstances of which, as likewise the progress of Religion under his success, take altogether out of Bede, who hath exactly related it.

The Conversion of the West-SAXONS.

THE Nation of the West-Saxons, anciently called Gevisses in the Reign of Kin∣gils, * 3.61 received the Faith of Christ by the preaching of Berinus Bishop, who by the advice of Pope Honorius came into Britain, having promised by his assistance to go into the innermost Countries of the English, where never yet Doctour had been, and there sow the seed of holy Faith. Whereupon, by the command of the same Pope, he received Episcopal Orders at the hands of Asterius Bishop of Genua. But being arrived at Britain, and first setting foot on the Country of the Guisses, finding them all Pagans in the highest degree, he thought it more profitable to preach the Word there, than by going further to hunt out those whom he first intend∣ed. Wherefore preaching in the aforesaid Province, when the King himself first catechized and instructed together with his People were washing in the fountain of Baptism, it happened that the most holy and victorious King of the Northumber∣lands, Oswald, was then present, and received him at the Font. By a blessed conjun∣ction taking him for his Son in the second Birth, whose Son himself was to be by the marriage of his Daughter. Both the Kings thereupon gave to the same Bishop the City of Dorchester for an Episcopal Seat, where having built up and dedicated Churches, and by labouring converted many people, He departed this life, and was buried in the same City.

This King dying, Cenwalch his Son and Successour refused to receive the Faith and Sacraments of the Heavenly kingdom, and not long after lost his Earthly one; For putting away his wife the sister of Penda King of Mercia, he took another, wherefore being invaded by him, he was driven out of his Kingdom, and forced to flie to Anna King of the East-Angles, with whom living in exile three years, he acknowledged the Faith and embraced the truth. For the King with whom he lived in exile was a good man, and happy in a good and holy off-spring. When Genwalch was restored to his Kingdom, there came into his Province out of Ireland a certain Bishop, by name A∣gilbert, by Nation a Gaul, but yet who had been in Ireland for the reading of the Scriptures not a little while. He joyned himself with the King on his own accord, taking upon him the Ministry of preaching, whose learning and industry when the King perceived, he made motion that he would accept there an Episcopal Seat, and remain Bishop of his Nation, who at his requests, for many years ruled that Pro∣vince with Sacerdotal Jurisdiction. At last the King, who understood the Saxon tongue only, growing weary of a forraign Dialect, underhand brought another Bishop of his own language into the Province, by name Wini, who had been ordained in France, also dividing the Province into two Diocesses; To him he gave Winchester for his Episcopal Seat, at which Agilbert being highly offended that the King had done this without his advice, he returned into France, and receiving the Bishoprick of Paris, he died there an old man and full of daies. But not many years after his departure from Britain, Wini was driven out of his Bishoprick by the same King, who repairing to Wulfur King of the Mercians * 3.62, bought of him with a good sum the Seat of London, and remained Bishop of it during his life. So the Province of the West-Saxons for no small time was without a Bishop, at which time the forementioned King of that Province, being often afflicted with great losses in his Kingdom received of the enemy, began to call to mind him whom by fraud he had formerly made forsake the Kingdom, and resolved to call him back, considering that the Province destitute of a Governour, was bereft likewise of Divine protection.

He sent therefore Embassadours into France to Agilbert, promising satisfaction, and submissively desiring he would return to the Bishoprick of his Nation. But he excu∣sing himself by solemn protestation, that he could not possibly come, because he was bound to his own City and Diocess; yet nevertheless not altogether to be wanting in his assistance to so ardent desires, he sent thither a Priest, by name Eleutherius, his own Nephew, whom if he please might be ordained Bishop for him, giving him this Testimonial, that he himself thought him worthy of the Bishoprick, who being honou∣rably entertained by the King and People, they sent unto Theodoruc then Archbishop of Canterbury, desiring that he might be consecrated their, Bishop; who being con∣secrated in that City, for many years held alone the Bishoprick of the West-Saxons, as it had been ordered by Synodical Decree.

KENWALCH.

KENWALCH the Son of Kingils followed his Father in the Kingdom, of * 3.63 whom what relates to his Ecclesiastical Affairs hath been before related. Having divorced his second wife whom he had unlawfully wedded, and re∣taken Sexburg the Sister of Penda whom he had unjustly put away, He enjoyed the Crown in peace for some years, even until Anno 652, falling into wars, but with whom is not related, Ethelwald calls them Civil. He fought a battel at Bradanford by the River Alene. Mr. Cambden makes the place to be Bradford in Wiltshire upon the River Avon, and saith, that it was with Cuthred his near Kinsman he was engaged * 3.64 in Civil Wars; but I wish he had told us from whence he gathered it, for we find no such thing in History; Certain it is, that not long before, Kenwalch had given large possessions to Cuthred, but whether it could oblige him to sit down quiet with the loss of a Kingdom is uncertain, for no doubt his Title was precedent to Ken∣walch's, if Cuchelm his Father was eldest Son of Kingils; and Stow writeth, but upon what grounds I know not, that he did really succeed his Father, and possibly there may be some Record extant concerning these Troubles, not commonly appear∣ing. But things being settled at home, and Kenwalch desirous to enlarge his Domi∣nions, invades the Britains, and had a fight with them at a place called Witgornsborough, mentioned by Malmsbury, but without any other circumstances, afterwards at Pennum or Pen in Somersetshire, the success of which is not left so doubtful, for * 3.65 the Victory was great on the Saxon side, who followed the pursuit to a place called Pedridan now Pederton, afterwards the Royal Seat of King Ina, and the Britains for a long time after would scarce look the Saxons in the face. But Kenwalch fal∣ling at variance with his old enemy Vulfur had not the like success, for fighting with him at Possentesburg, though Ethelwerd relates he took Vulfur prisoner, yet the Saxon Annals record clear contrary, and the sequel shews that Vulfur won the day, for not long after he wasted the Country of the West-Saxons as far as Eskesdun, and took the Isle of Wight, till then in their possession, with other Provinces of the Meannuari, and gave them to Edilwalch his Godson, King of the South-Saxons.

These are all the memorable Actions of Kenwalch; for his good deeds, he is re∣ported to have founded the Cathedral of Winchester, and the Abby of Malmsbury, and, as appeareth in a Grant of King Ina afterwards made to the Church, he be∣stowed several priviledges on these places, Ferlingmere, Beokerey, Godein, Martine∣sey, Edredesey. He reigned 31 years and left no Issue to inherit. Sexburg his wife for a while after his death assumed the Government, but she was driven out, saith Matthew of Westminster, by the Nobles, who could not endure the government of a Woman. Some say she died the same year, others, that she built a Nunnery in the Isle of Shepy, wherein her self was a otress, and afterwards became an Abbess of Ely.

ESKWIN.

ESKWIN, derived in the fifth degree from Kerdic the first founder of this Kingdom, of a younger house succeeded Kenwalch. He Reigned but two years, * 3.66 in which time he fought a battel with Wulfur, wherein many of the Saxons on both sides were slain: the place was Bidanheaford, soon after which he died.

KETWIN.

KETWIN younger Son of Kingils, whose Right preceded Eskwins, and who (as Bede and Malmsbury write) was Partner with him in the Crown, after the * 3.67 death of Eskwin proved the scourge of the Britains pursuing them even * 3.68 to the Sea-shore; but no other circumstances are related of him or this action. He is al∣lowed nine years Reign. In a grant of King Ina to Glastenbury it is reported, that this Prince highly favoured that Monastery by freeing it from the secular Services, and of∣ten calling it the Mother of Saints.

CEADWALLA.

CEADWALLA of the blood Royal, derived in the third degree from Guth the third Son of Kenric, succeeded Ketwin. He had been banisht his Country * 3.69 by the prevalency of some faction, but returning obtained the Crown. He made war upon the South-Saxons, whom he overcame and annexed to his own Domi∣nions, took the Isle of Wight, and twice wasted Kent, the circumstances of all which Actions have been formerly related under the Kingdom of Kent, and the South-Saxons. Afterwards he went to Rome (for as yet he was a Pagan) to receive Baptism, which was given him by the hands of Pope Sergius on Easter eaven, in the year of our Redemption, saith Bede, 689, and was called Peter; but on the twentieth day of April following he died, and was buried at St. Peter's Church at Rome under a fair Monument with this Epitaph:

Here CEADWALL, otherwise named PETER, King of the West-Saxons lieth buried, who departed this life the twentieth of April, in the second Indi∣ction. At the age of thirty years, or thereabouts, in the fourth year of the Reign of JUSTINIAN the most Noble and Mighty Emperour, and the second of Sergius, who then sate in Peter's Chair, being a true Pattern of the Apostles.

The British Writers from the similitude of name will needs have this Geadwall to be their Cadwallader; but the Monument it self, as well as the course of this Prin∣ces actions, doth sufficiently convict them of the fraud and folly of that invention. He reigned five years, and left no Issue to succeed him.

INA.

INA, derived in the third degree from Cuth the younger Son of Ceaulin, * 3.70 third King of the West-Saxons, succeeded Ceadwalla in the Government. His first expedition was into Kent, to revenge the death of Mollo, Brother to Ceadwalla, who, as hath been related, was burned to death; but Wigtred, who then had newly come to the Kentish Crown, appeased his anger with * 3.71 the delivery of about thirty of the chief Actors, or, as others say, with a round sum of mony, amounting to no less than thirty thousand Mark of silver. Peace thus concluded, he returns into his Country, where we hear not of him again till about the one and twentieth year of his Reign, when attended with his Cousin Nun, he fought a battel with GERENT King of the Britains, in the beginning of which Higelbald a Noble Man of the Saxons was slain; but in the end, Gerent with all his Britains was put to the rout. The course of his succeeding Actions runs thus:

Five years after he fought with Cheolred King of Mercia, but with doubtful ad∣vantage. Ten years after that, he invaded the South-Saxons, who under petty Princes began to bear up for the Liberty of their Country lately enthralled by Ceadwalla; Here he slaies Albright, driven from Taunton, and taking refuge in this Kingdom, whom Mr. Hollinshead, without Authority, makes King of the South-Saxons; after this he vanquisht the East-Angles more than once, as Malmsburry re∣ports, but sets not down the time when.

By these Victories it is said he possessed the whole Monarchy of England and Wales. For, if we believe what is written in the Laws of Edward Confessour, he was the first Crowned King of English and British since the Arrival of the Saxons; of the English by Conquest, of the British in right of a second wife not named, yet some way related to Gadwallader last King of Wales; but we may easily imagine through what hands such stories crept in.

This Prince is truly famous for his good LAWS yet extant in the Saxon tongue, out of which Language I have translated them as carefully as I can.

THE LAWS OF King INA.

Ic Jne mid Godes gyfe West∣seaxna cyning mid geþeaht & mid laere Cenredes mines faeder. & heddes mines bisce∣opes &c.

IINA, by the grace of God King of the West-Saxons, by the advice and institution of Cen∣red my Father, and Heddes and Erkenwald my Bishops, with all my Aldermen and sage Ancients of my people, in a great Assembly of the Ser∣vants of God have religiously endeavoured, both for the health of our Soul, and the com∣mon preservation of our Kingdom, that right Laws and true judgment be founded and established throughout our whole Do∣minions, and that it shall not be lawful for the time to come, for any Alderman, or other person whatever, to abolish these our Con∣stitutions.

Of God's Ministers.

IN the first place, we command that the Ministers of God keep and observe the appointed Rule of living, and next, we will that amongst all our people these Laws and * 5.1 Judgments be observed.

Of Infants.

A Child shall be baptized within 30 daies after it is born, if not, the neglect shall be * 5.2 punished 30 shillings; if it die before it be Christned, it shall forfeit all that belongs to it.

Of working on Sunday.

If a Servant do any work on Sunday by command of his Master, be shall be free, and the Master shall pay 30 shillings; but if he went about the work without command from his Master, he shall be beaten with stripes, or redeem the penalty of whipping with a price. A Free-man, if he work on this day without command of his Master, shall lose his freedom, or pay 60 shillings: If he be a Priest his penalty shall be double.

Of the Churches Portion.

The Portion or Dues of the Church shall be brought in by the Feast of St. Martyn, he

that payeth them not by that time shall be punished 40 shillings, and besides pay the dues twelve times over.

Of the Priviledg of a Temple.

If any one guilty of a Capital crime shall take refuge in a Church, he shall save his life, and make recompence according to justice and equity; If one deserving stripes take Sanctuary, he shall have the stripes forgiven him.

Of Quarrels.

If any one fight within the King's Court, he shall forfeit all his goods and Chattels, and it shall be at the will and pleasure of the King, whether he be not to lose his life also. He that fights in a Cathedral Church shall pay 120 s. in the house of a * 5.3 Senatour, or another sage Noble man 60 s. Whosoever shall fight in a Villager's house paying scot, or any Yeoman's, shall be punished 30 shil∣lings, and shall give the Villager 6 shillings. And if any one fight in the open field, he shall pay 120 shillings. If there happen a∣mong Guests a quarrel, and some of them shall patiently take ill language, the rest shall be punished 30 shillings a piece.

Of Theft.

If any one shall steal without the privity of his wife and Children, he shall be punish∣ed 60 s. But if he steal, his whole family con∣senting, they shall be all given into servitude. A child of 10 years old shall be accounted accessory in theft.

Of claiming Justice.

If any Plaintiff shall require right to be done him by a Senatour or any other Judge, and the Defendant give no pledg, he (the Judge) shall forfeit 30 shillings, and never∣theless within a sevennight do him true ju∣stice.

Of Self-vindication.

He that on his own private account shall take satisfaction for a wrong done to him, before he hath demanded publick Justice, shall restore what he took away on that score, or give the worth of the thing, and besides forfeit 30 shillings.

Of Rapine.

If any shall rob within the confines of our State, he shall restore what he hath ta∣ken, and be punished 60 shillings.

Of Men-buyers.

If any one shall buy his Countryman, either bond or free, or guilty of a Crime, and send him beyond Sea, he shall pay the value of his head, and give over and above sufficient satisfaction.

Of false Testimony and Pledge.

If any before a Bishop give false witness, or Pledge, he shall be amerced 120 shillings.

Of Robbers taken.

If a Robber be taken, he shall lose his life, or redeem it according to the estimation of his head. We call Robbers to the number

of seven men from 7 to 35 a band, all above an Army.

Of a Band.

One accused to be among a band of Rob∣bers, may purge himself by oath to the va∣lue of 120 hides of Land, or make him due satisfaction.

Of an Army.

One accused to be in an Army of Robbers, may purge himself according to the estima∣tion of his head, or give satisfaction. But this purgation by Oath shall consist one half of † 5.4 Housekeepers. But after the Thief is once in the King's Goal, he shall not have the liberty of purging himself.

Of a Thief-slayer.

He that shall slay a Thief, shall make oath he slew him for his Theft only; but never∣theless he shall not be exempted from all payment to his friends.

Of stolen Flesh.

He that shall find stolen Flesh and hide it, it shall be lawful for him (if he so dare) to depose by oath it is his own, but the In∣former shall have his reward.

Of a Country Boor detected of Theft.

A Country Boor often arraigned for Theft, if he be afterwards convicted, shall have his hand or foot cut off.

Of a King's Villain.

A King's Villain's oath is valued to 60 hides of Land; and if he be a Housekeeper, the estimation of his head is 1200 shillings.

Of a Forraigner.

A Forraigner or Stranger, if he wander in the Woods, and neither make a noise with his mouth or wind a horn, as a Thief he is to be judged to death or ransom; And if any one demand of the slayer the estima∣tion of the slain party, the slayer may by oath make out that he kill'd him as a Thief, and then he shall be free from any payment, either to the friends of the party, or his Lord: But if he hide the thing, and the fault be afterwards discovered, by that concesl∣ment he hath put it in the power of the slain party's friends by oath to acquit the dead from all guilt

Of a Villain that committeth Theft.

If thy Villain steal, admonish thy Sureties (if thou hast any) to make satisfaction; if thou hast none, thou must thy self make bare restitution, and abate him nothing.

Of a Stranger slain.

If any one kill a Stranger, the King shall have two parts of the estimation of his life, and the third his Children or Relations, if he hath no Relations, the King shall have half, and his Companion half. In the same manner an Abbot or Abbess, if it be their concerns, shall divide with the King. A Welch man paying yearly scot shall be valued at 120 shillings, his Son at an 100, a Servant

sometimes 60, sometimes 50 shillings; a Welchman shall buy off a whipping for 12 §. a Welchman possessing five hydes of Land is to be valued at 600 shillings.

Of one that hath lost his Freedom.

If any English man that hath lost his Free∣dom afterwards steal, he shall be hanged on the Gallows, and no recompence made to his Lord; if any one kill such a man, he shall make no recompence on that account to his friend, unless he redeem him within a twelve month.

Of Buyers in the Land.

If a Buyer buy any thing among the peo∣ple he shall have witness of it, for if any † 5.5 thing stolen shall be found with him that he bought not with sufficient testimony, he shall purge himself by oath according to the value of the thing, that he neither stole it, or was privy to the stealing of it, otherwise he shall pay 36 shillings.

Of an Infant exposed.

For the breeding up of an Infant expo∣sed, the first year shall be given 6 shillings, the second year 12, the third year 30, afterwards according to his worth.

Of the apprehendidg of Thieves.

He that apprehends a Thief shall have 10 shillings, and the King the Thief, and his Relations shall give their Oath not to re∣scue him; But if the Thief shall obstinately resist or flie for it, he shall be counted guil∣ty of the fact; but if he will free himself, he may do it according to the proportion of the value of the thing, and the greatness of the penalty.

Of him that hath Children in private.

He that hath Children in private, and concealeth them, if they are killed, shall not have the value of their heads, but it shall go to his Lord or the King.

Of him that lendeth Weapons.

He that lendeth a Sword to another man's Servant, and he kill himself, he shall pay the third part of the value of him; if he lend a Spear, he shall pay half; but if an Horse, he shall pay to a penny what the Servant's head was valued at.

Of him that shall entertain a Runagate.

If a Boor shall be accused to have given food to a Runaway, he shall purge himself of it according to the value of his own head, which if he cannot, then he shall pay the va∣lue of his own and the Fugitive's head.

Of him that shall buy a Woman.

If any one buy a Woman, and perform∣eth not the bargain, he shall give the mony it self, and pay as much more, and neverthe∣less suffer such penalties as if he had viola∣ted his security.

Of a Boor that possesseth Land.

A Welch man that holdeth a whole hyde of Land shall be valued at 120 shillings his head; if he hath but half a hyde, at 80, if none at all 60.

Of a Welch man the King's Querry.

If a Welch man the King's Querry is able to carry a Message, the value of his head shall be 200 shillings.

Of Man-slaughter.

If any one shall be present at Man-slaugh∣ter, he shall purge himself according to the estimation of his own head, or the head of him that is slain, and if the valuation of his head be 200 shillings, he shall pay 50 shil∣lings; the same Law shall be to them of the Nobility.

Of a Robber slain.

He that killeth a Robber shall depose by oath that he slew him as a thief, flying, and shall evidence it to his friends by the oaths of men, not housekeepers; but if he conceal the fact, and it be afterwards found out, he shall pay the valuation of the dead party.

If any one be arraigned for other mens goods, and shall deny the possession of them by an oath beforehand taken, and shall not fear again to swear to it, let him give oath according to the greatness of the pe∣nalty and the value of the things. But if he refuse such an Oath, let him suffer the double penalty of perjury.

Of him that shall suffer a Thief to escape.

If any one apprehend a Thief, or have him in custody, and suffer him to escape or conceal his theft, he shall pay the price of his head: If it be a Noble man, he shall lose his Lieutenantship or Shreivalty, unless the King pardon him.

Of a Boor accused.

If a Boor often accused of theft, shall by selling or any other way be discovered, his hand or foot shall be cut off.

Of Children begot in lawful marriage.

A husband, after he hath begotten Chil∣dren of his wife, dying, the mother shall have the Children to breed up, and six shil∣lings for their maintenance; in the summer a Cow, and in the winter an Ox, but the next of kin shall keep the Firstlings of the Cattel till the Children come to age.

Of him that shall depart from his Master without leave.

He that shall depart from his Master without leave, and put himself into another Service, shall return from whence he fled, and pay his Master 60 shillings.

Of a Boor's field adjoyning to his house.

The field of a Boor adjoyning to his house shall winter and summer be fenced, if it be unfenced and lie open to his Neigh∣bour's Cattel, the Boor shall demand no satisfaction for trespass, but he shall drive the Cattel out, and sustain the loss alone.

Of denying Security.

It is lawful for any one to refuse Secu∣rity, if he wot that he rightly doth.

Of a Boor's Pasture ground.

If a field of Common pasture or any o∣ther Land be possessed by many, and some of them fence about their proper parts, and the rest neglect theirs, so that the inclosed parcel be eat up with Cattel breaking in, they shall pay the dammage whose ground lay open, and the Masters of the Cattel shall make satisfaction according to right and e∣quity. But if it be a great Beast that throws down the hedge, and will forceably break in at any place, and the owner cannot or will not keep it in, then he that finds it in his ground may kill it, and the Master shall have the flesh, but lose every thing beside.

Of fire set to a Wood.

If any one shall set fire to a Tree in a wood, he shall pay the whole penalty of a thief, and 60 shillings besides; for Fire is a secret thief. He that is convicted to have cut many Trees in a Wood, for the three first Trees shall pay 30 shillings apiece, and no greater penalty for any number whatso∣ever; for the Ax with its noise betrays the fact, and it cannot easily be concealed.

He that shall be convicted to have fell'd a Tree, whose branches would have given shelter to 30 Hogs, shall pay 600 shillings dammage.

The yearly * 5.6 Gafol for a house shall be va∣lued at six pence.

Of the breach of Peace in a Town or Burrough.

The penalty of the Breach of Peace in a Burrough belonging to the King or Bishop, shall be 120 shillings; In the Town of a No∣ble man 80 shillings, in the Town of the King's Minister 60; and in the Town of any Boor that is a keeper of the peace, and pos∣sesseth land, 35 shillings: the like measure shall be for the purgation of the fault.

Of the Accusation of Theft.

If it be laid to the charge of any, that he either stole, or received stolen goods, he shall free himself from the fault according to the estimation of 60 hides, if he be wor∣thy to swear. An English man accused of theft shall purge himself with a double number, and a Welch man shall be obliged to no more. Besides, it is lawful for any to purg himself by oath concerning the admission of thieves, or the estimation of a slain party, if he can and dare.

Of the Booty of Thieves intercepted.

If at any time stolen goods be intercep∣ted, none of servile condition shall be admitted to the cause.

Of one that hath lost his Freedom.

If any one for a Crime being lately ad∣judged to servitude, shall be accused of theft done whilst he was free, it is lawful for the

Accuser to beat him once with stripes, and according to the value of the thing stolen a∣way he may be forced to the Whipping-post.

Of Acorns or Mast of Oak eaten without the leave of the Lord.

If any one shall find Hogs in his Wood, eating of his Mast without leave granted to the Owner, he shall agree at first for 6 s. and if this was the first time of their en∣trance, the Owner shall pay one shilling dammage, and besides according to the value of the Hogs shall make oath they came not * 5.7 oftner. But if it appear they broke in at other times, then he shall pay two shillings. He that takes Hogs to fatten in his Wood, of such as shall be three fingers deep in fat, he shall have every third Hog, of those that are two fingers deep every fourth, and those that are an inch deep every fifth.

Of the Petition of a Boor that is a keeper of the Peace.

A Boor that is keeper of the Peace, if he desire any thing from the King or a Senator, in favour of his own family, or the Lord in favour of his Servant or Free-man, he shall not obtain any abatement of penalty, because he did not duly punish the offenders at home.

Of a Boor that is keeper of the Peace, and refuseth his Military service.

A Boor that is a keeper of the Peace, and possesseth land, if at any time he refuse to serve the King in his Wars, he shall forfeit his lands and pay 30 s. if he hath no lands he shall pay 60 shillings, a common Boor 30 shillings.

Of secret Villanies.

Whosoever shall be accused of secret Vil∣lanies, shall purge himself after the rate of † 5.8 120 hides of Land, or shall pay as many shil∣lings.

Of the finding of a stolen Man.

If another man's Servant be privily stolen away, and found with a stranger, and the party be dead from whom the stranger bought him, he shall go to the Tomb of the dead party, and there make oath that he bought him of him, and so he shall be free from all penalty, and the Servant shall re∣turn to his former Master. The same law shall be for all other things stolen; but if he be certain that they were the goods of the dead party, he may go to law with him for them, unless the other will make oath that they never were the goods of the deceased.

Of him who is accused to have bore Mortal enmity.

If one be accused to have bore mortal hatred to any, and upon that account the va∣luation of the dead party be required of him, and he by oath averreth that he gave him not his deaths wound, he shall take the oath called the Royal Oath to the estimation of 30 hides, joyning to himself other Boors, keepers of the Peace, or of the common sort. But if he be found guilty of the fault, yet it

is free for him to give any of his Compani∣ons for a gift a Sword and Breastplate, al∣though he be not able to pay the estimation. A Welchman having forfeited his Liberty, let him purge himself after the rate of 12 hides; an Englishman 34.

Of the price of an Ewe.

An Ewe with its young before the four∣teenth day after Easter shall not be sold for more than one shilling.

If a man buy any thing that is unsound, and find it out before 30 daies, it shall be ta∣ken again, unless the Seller make oath that he knew not of the fault before he sold it.

Of the Husband that shall Rob.

A married man stealing any thing, and hiding it in a secret place, after conviction shall be held guilty of the theft, but his wife not, for she was bound to obey her husband as her Superior. But if the wife dare by oath depose, that she did not participate of the Booty, she shall be rewarded with the third part of the things.

Of Oxen.

He that breaketh an Oxes horn shall pay ten pence, a Cows horn two pence.

He that shall cut off an Oxes tayl shall pay four pence, a Cows five pence.

He that shall put out an Oxes eye shall pay five pence, a Cows one shilling.

Of yearly Barley every Season shall be gi∣ven 6 pound, &c. Here wanteth something.

Of a yoke of Oxen borrowed.

If a Boor shall hire a yoke of Oxen, and hath Corn enough, he shall pay the whole hire with Corn; but if he want sufficient Corn, he shall pay half in Corn, and half in other goods.

Of Church Dues.

Every one shall pay his Church-dues at that place where he resided in the midst of winter.

Of him of whom Pledg is required.

If at any time a Pledg is required of a person accused, and he hath not to lay down in pledg before his cause is heard, and ano∣ther will lay down pledg for him, upon con∣dition that the other may be in his custody till he receiveth his goods laid down for him, and the second time the accused be for∣ced to give Pledg, and the party that first en∣gaged will not again be security, and so his cause fall, it shall not be restored to the Sure∣ty what he laid down in the first cause.

Of the departure of a Boor, keeper of the Peace.

A Boor that is keeper of the Peace, if he leaves his house and goes to another place to dwell in, he shall have power to carry with him his Overseer, his Smith, and a Nurse.

Of them who possess Lands.

He that possesseth 20 hides of land, and is going to another place, shall leave behind him 12 hides ready sown; he that holdeth 10

shall sow six hides; he that hath 3 hides and is a departing, shall leave half an one sown.

If any one hath hired Roods of land of the Lord, and hath plowed them, and the Lord not content with the rent and service, requireth more work and duty than was bargained for, the Tenant shall not be bound to hold on those conditions unless the Lord give him an House, neither shall he be pro∣hibited plowing.

Of a Boor keeper of the Peace banished.

If a Boor keeper of the Peace shall be * 5.9 banished for any misdemeanour, his house shall not be a refuge for him.

Of Wool.

A sheep shall not be sheared until Mid∣summer, or the Fleece shall be redeemed with two pence.

Of the estimation of Men.

Out of the estimation of the head of a Man that whilst he lived is valued at 200 s. there shall be substracted 30 s. to recompence his death to the Lord; out of the estimation of the head of a Man valued at 600 s. 80 shall be substracted; out of the estimation of the head valued at 1200 shillings, an hundred and twenty shillings shall be substracted.

Of Maintenance to be allowed.

Out of 10 hides of land for maintenance shall be given 10 fats of Hony, 300 loaves, 12 gallons of Welch-Ale, 30 gallons of small Ale, 2 grown Oxen, or 10 Weathers, 10 Geese, 20 Hens, 10 Cheeses, 1 gallon of But∣ter, 5 Salmons, 20 pound of Fodder, and an hundred Eeles.

Of estimation by the head.

If any one be required to pay to the va∣luation of his head, and being about to swear, confesseth what in words before he denied, nothing shall be demanded of him for penalty before he pay the whole value of his head.

Of a Robber that hath been Amerced the price of his head, and is taken.

A Robber having been punished the price of his head, and taken, if he escape the same day, the intire penalty shall not be again required if he was taken about night; but if theft was committed before the foregoing night, they shall pay who took him before, as they can agree with the King or his Justices.

Of a Welch Servant killing a free English man.

If a Welch Servant shall kill an English man, his Master shall deliver him into the hands of the Lord, or the dead man's Rela∣tions, or redeem him with 60 s. But if he will not part with mony, let him free his Ser∣vant, and let the friends of the slain sue for the value of his life: If the freed Servant hath friends that will uphold his cause, if not, let him look to himself. It is not requi∣red of a Free-man to pay with Servants (un∣less he will redeem with a price the penalty of Capital enmity) nor for a Servant to pay with Free-men.

Of things stolen and found with another.

Goods stolen and found with another, if if he that vents them being called to an ac∣count, will not take upon him the goods, or the sale of them, and yet confesseth that he sold some other goods to the party, then it is the part of the Buyer to confirm by oath, that he sold those very goods, and no other.

Of the death of a God-father or God-son.

If any one kill a God-son or his God-father, let him pay the same to the Relati∣ons as he doth to the Lord, to satisfie for his death, and his payment for the proportion of the value of the slain is to be more or less according as if payment were to be made to a Lord for his Servant. But if the dead party the King received at the Font, let sa∣tisfaction be made to him as well as to the Relations: But if his life was taken away by a Relation, substraction must be made of the mony to be paid to the God-father, as it useth to be done, when mony is paid to the Master for the death of his Servant. If a Bishop's Son be killed, let the penalty be half.

BUt this King INA is more especially celebrated by the Monkish Writers of those times, for a great favourer of a Monastick life, and a supporter of its In∣terest, as well by his own profession of the same, as by large Revenues and great Priviledges granted to its maintenance and honour. But the chief of all his works was his stately Church at Glastenbury, a place so renowned for its ancient Sanctity, as being the first Seat of Christianity in this Island; that our Ancestors called it, The first Land of God. The first Land of Saints in Britain. The beginning and foundation of all Religion in Britain. The Tomb of Saints. The Mother of Saints. The Church founded and built by the Lord's Disciples. In the first planting of Faith in this Island there had been built, as hath been shewn in the foregoing History, by Joseph of Ari∣mathea, Philip, or some of their Disciples, a little Cell or Chappel for the exercise of Religion by those Primitive Apostles. This being by this time decayed, was afterwards repaired, or rather a new one built in the same ground by Devi Bishop of St. Davids, which also exposed to ruine, was again kept up at the cost and charges of twelve Men coming from the North.

But now NIA having well settled his Kingdom, demolished that ruinous building, and in the room of it erected a most stately and magnificent Church, dedicating it to CHRIST and his two Apostles, Peter and Paul, guilding it throughout with gold and silver after a most sumptuous manner. Upon the highest coping thereof he caused to be written in large Characters and golden Letters these Verses.

Syderei montes speciosa cacumina Sion, A Libano geminae flore comante Cedri; Caelorum portae lati duo lumina mundi, Ore tonat Paulus, fulgurat arce Petrus: Inter Apostolicas radianti luce coronas, Doctior hic monitis, celstor ille gradu, Corda per hunc hominum reserantur, & aftr a per illum: Quos docet iste stylo, suscipit ille polo. Pandit iter coeli hic dogmate, clavibus alter, Est via cui Paulus, janua fida Petrus. Hic Petra firma manens, ille Architectus habetur, Surgit in his Templum quo placet ira Deo.

Anglia plaude lubens, mittit tibi Roma salutem, Fulgor Apostolicus Glasconiam irradiat. A sacie hostili duo propugnacula surgunt, Quod fidei turres Vrbs caput orbis habet. Haec pius egregio Rex INA refertus amore Dona suo populo non moritura a dedit. Totus in affectu divae pietatis inhaerens, Ecclesiaeque juges amplificavit opes. Melchi-sedech noster meritò Rex, atque Sacerdos Complevit verae relligionis opus. Publica Jura regens, & celsa palatia servans, Vnica Pontificum gloria, norma fuit. Hinc abiens, illinc meritorum fulget honore, Hic quoque gestorum laude perennis erit.

Sion, whose losty Turrets reach the skie, Two fair and blooming Cedars bear on high; The World's great Lights, Two mighty Thunderers, Paul from his mouth, and Peter from his Towers. Amidst th'Apostle's glorious Circle, he Excels in Doctrine, This in high Degree. The one unlocks the Heart, The other Heaven, And lets those in who there by Paul are driven. Paul is the Way, and Peter is the Dore, Who ope's what t'other's Doctrine did before: This is the Rock, but he the Builder is, To both of these, Temples and Altars rise. England rejoyce, Thee mighty Rome doth greet, Th'Apostles Light in Glascon now does meet. The same two Towers are rais'd against thy soes, To whose Protection, Rome her safety owes. These Blessings here for ever to endure, INA did by his proper means procure. INA, whose God-like Vertue constant is, Whose daily bounty does the Church increase. 'Tis He, this work did to perfection bring, Our true Melchisedec, both Priest and King. A righteous Prince who Publick works redeems, Of Priests, th'Example, and the Glory seems. Departing hence, his worth in Heaven doth shine, His Name on Earth this Temple shall enshrine.

He gave moreover to it a stately Altar, Chalice, Censer, Candlesticks, Bason, Bucket, Images, and Plate for the Altar. The Gold belonging to it amounted to three hundred thirty three pounds weight, and the silver to two thousand eight hun∣dred thirty five pounds weight, besides precious Jewels set upon the celebrating Vestures.

Besides this, he granted large immunities and priviledges to it, and exemption * 5.10 from Episcopal Jurisdiction, as may be seen in his Charter of Donation yet extant. He founded also a School at Rome for the breeding up of English Youth; for the maintenance whereof, as likewise for other Charitable uses, he laid an Imposition throughout his whole Realm, which was at first called the King's Alms, afterwards claimed by the name of Peter-Pence. After which resigning his Crown, he went to Rome and took upon him the habit of a Monk, in which not long after he ended his daies, after he had reigned thirty seven years. Ethelburga his Queen, who by a stratagem not worth relating had brought her husband to give-up his Crown, took upon her a Nuns Veil, and was afterwards Abbess of Barking near London, wherein she died.

ETHELARD.

ETHELARD, to whom Ina at his departure to Rome bequeathed the King∣dom, * 5.11 was lineally descended in the fourth degree from Kenbald, elder Son of Cuthwin, Son and Heir of Ceaulin third King of the West-Saxons, though then in his minority put by the Crown. In the beginning of his Reign he had a Contest with one Oswald his kinsman, who pretended to the Right of succession; but the controversie was soon decided by the interest and power of Ethelard, and Oswald forced to quit his pretentions and Country to boot, leaving Ethelard in the quiet possession of his Kingdom, which he governed peaceably without any remarkable Action the space of fourteen years.

CUTHRED.

CUTHRED, a Prince of the same Lineage succeeded; His first beginnings * 5.12 were troublesom, having to deal with Edtlbald King of Mercia, a subtle and powerful Enemy, who not only with open war invaded him, but secret∣ly encouraged Rebellion among his Subjects. But in the fourth year of this King's Reign they came both to a conclusion of peace, and with joynt forces set upon the Welch, and overthrew them with great slaughter.

Seven years after he was engaged in Civil wars with one of his Nobles, Adelm or Ethelhun, a good Souldier, but upon what occasion seditious is not mentioned. * 5.13 With him encountring in a set battel, he was almost overpower'd, though far exceed∣ing in numbers, until Adelm receiving a wound, minded therewith of his disloyalty slacked fight, and was at the same time vanquisht and pardoned, and in token of trust, two years after in the wars with Edilbald the Mercian he received Commis∣sion from the King, who reposed much confidence in his Valour, which he so well ex∣ecuted, that at Beorford, now Eurford in Shropshire, Edilbald was put to flight with the discomfiture of his whole Army. Not long after he fought a battel with the Welch, of whom he obtained an easie Victory, and the year following died, after he had Reigned fourteen years. His only Son Kinric, a youth of a violent spirit, had been slain five years before his Father's death in a Mutiny of the Army, as is said, for his too rigorous discipline.

SIGIBERT.

SIGIBERT, no Issue being left of the former Prince, stept into the Throne, having neither Title nor desert; an insolent Tyrant at home, bold, and daring * 5.14 in wickedness, but in the field soft and cowardly. Advised of his miscarriages by Cumbrae one of his chief Captains and best Counsellers, in recompence for his good will he barbarously flew him; But not long after driven out of his Kingdom by consent of People and Nobility, and flying into the wood Andredswald to hide himself in obscurity, he was discovered at a place called Privetsfloud by a Swine∣herd of Cumbrae, and known to be the King, was there slain by him in revenge of his Master's death, after he had reigned scarce two years.

KINWULF.

KINWULF, after the death of Sigibert was with universal joy saluted King, * 5.15 being of the Blood-Royal of the West-Saxons, and his Right unquestioned. The first experiments of his Reign he made against the Welch, whom in seve∣ral fights he often discomfited, but in his twenty fourth year in a battel fought with Offa King of Mercia, at Benfington or Benton, he lost the day, and the Town also for which they contended. Afterwards governing ingloriously by the space of seven years, he at last came to an unfortunate end, which was thus occasioned.

In his latter daies growing loose and amorous, and conscious of the want of that Merit by which he formerly held secure, from Self-confidence he grew jealous of his Power, and fearing that Kineard, Brother of Sigibert the former King (a man of great Spirit, but who hitherto had behaved himself loyal) might at last revenge his Brother's expulsion, or usurp after his death, he commanded him to Banishment. Kineard seeming really to obey, yet intending nothing less, with a small retinue pri∣vately hides himself in the neighbouring Countries, watching an opportunity of Re∣venge, which he wanted not long; For the King resorting, as his custom was with a small Attendance, to a Ladies House of Merton in Surry, whom he much admired, he went by night and beset the place. Kinwulf first by perswasion from the windows sought to appease the Assailants, but that not doing, he sallies out upon them, and making at Kineard wounds him sorely, but overpowred with numbers, he is there fighting amongst them slain.

The noise of this great Accident soon came to Oseric and Wivert, two Earls, who not far off waited the King's return, who with some other Attendants hastning to the place, came up before Keneard could quite disengage himself from them, who still fought in their Princes quarrels. At their first approach Kineard stood upon his justification, excusing the deed by the injustice of his Banishment, and promising great Rewards if they would acquiess in his proceedings. But they upbraiding his Treason, and rejecting his proffers with disdain, beset him round, who fighting in the midst of them, was there cut in pieces with above an hundred of his Follow∣ers.

The Body of King Kinwulf was conveyed to Winchester, and there buried. He is said to have founded the Cathedral Church of St. Andrews at Wells.

BIRTHRIC.

BIRTHRIC lineally descended from Cerdic first sounder of this Kingdom, * 5.16 after the death of Kinwuls was advanced to the Crown, a Prince soft and easie, he was joyned to Ethelburga Daughter of Offa, the Mercian, a Lady of a haughty and wicked spirit. By her perswasion, or the King's own jealousie, Egbert a Prince of the Royal-Blood, whose Title was thought precedent to Birthric's, was constrained to go into Exile, which he was the more willing to do, for that he saw his life continually endangered by secret practices; At first he repaired to the Court of Offa, the only Warriour in those daies; but not safe with him, who had given his Daughter to Birthric, he went over into France, and served three years in the Wars under the victorious Emperour Charles the Great. The banishment of this Prince proved the exercise of his Vertues, as if it had been necessary that he who was to unite the English Nation, and rise higher than his Ancestours, was first to be laid low in affliction, and run through many hazards. And it is to be observed, that in the build∣ing up of any Nation so high, the grandure is generally performed by men who have undergon the greatest difficulties, and been tried in the severest Fortunes, so that as truly may be said, as to the person of Egbert, and the English Nation united by him, what was spoke of the Roman,

Tantae molis erat Anglorum condere gentem.

But after three years, Birthric being poysoned by a draught which Edelburga had prepared for others, Egbert is by publick voice recalled from banishment, and with universal Joy created King. But a further account of his Actions, as the first sole Monarch of England, I shall leave to be treated on in the second part, if God leng∣thens my daies, and this work be kindly received.

Edelburga fearing to be called to an account for what she had done, with as much Treasure as she could get together, flies beyond Sea, and received by Charles the Great is created Abbess; but afterwards detected of Unchastity is driven from her Charge, and wandring about the World unpitied, dies at last in extreme poverty in Pavia in Italy.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Page 352.
• * 1.2

  An. Dom. 455.
• * 1.3

  Bede, Ethelwerd, Florent, Annal. Sax.
• * 1.4

  Anno 465.
• † 1.5

  Now Elfler, Camb.
• * 1.6

  An. Dom. 477.
• * 1.7

  Verstegan.
• * 1.8

  An Dom. 489.
• * 1.9

  An. D. 513.
• * 1.10

  An. D. 535.
• * 1.11

  An. D. 564.
• * 1.12

  Milton's Hist. of England.
• * 1.13

  An. Chr. 596: Regist. lib. 4. Epist. 52. Bede, lib. 1. cap. 23.
• * 1.14

  Bede, lib. 1. cap. 2, 4.
• * 1.15

  Regist. lib. 5. Ep. 10.
• * 1.16

  Regist. lib. 5. Ep 42.
• * 1.17

  Regist. lib. 5. Ep. 53.
• * 1.18

  Regist. lib. 5. cap. 57.
• * 1.19

  Regist. lib. 5. Ep. 57.
• * 1.20

  Lib. 5. Ep. 58.
• * 1.21

  Lib. 5. Ep. 59.
• * 1.22

  Lib. 7. Ep. 30.
• * 1.23

  Regist. lib. 9. Ep. 52.
• * 1.24

  Regist. lib. 9. Epist 55.
• * 1.25

  Regist. lib. 9. Ep. 56.
• * 1.26

  Regist. lib. 9. Ep. 58.
• * 1.27

  Regist. lib. 9. Ep. 59.
• * 1.28

  Regist. lib. 9. Epist. 60.
• * 1.29

  Regist. llb. 9. Epist 63.
• * 1.30

  Regist. lib. 9. Ep. 7.
• * 1.31

  Regist. lib. 12. Ep. 15.
• * 1.32

  Magd. Burg. Cen. 6. cap. 10.
• * 1.33

  This is not in Bede.
• * 2.1

  An. Dom. 617.
• * 2.2

  Bede, lib. 2. cap. 8.
• * 2.3

  An. Dom. 641.
• * 2.4

  An. Dom. 665:
• * 2.5

  Speed Chron. Camb. Brit.
• * 2.6

  An. Dom 674.
• * 2.7

  Malmsbury.
• * 2.8

  An. Dom. 684.
• * 2.9

  An. Dom. 693.
• * 2.10

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Hen. Spel∣man, p. 189.
• * 2.11

  are.
• * 2.12

  An. Dom. 726.
• * 2.13

  An. Dom. 749.
• * 2.14

  An. Dom. 760.
• * 2.15

  An. Dom. 794
• * 2.16

  An. Dom. 797.
• * 2.17

  An. Dom. 805.
• * 2.18

  An. Dom. 596.
• * 2.19

  Bede, lib. 2. cap. 5.
• * 2.20

  An. Dom. 623.
• * 2.21

  An. Dom. 648.
• * 2.22

  An. Dom. 662.
• * 2.23

  An. Dom. 664.
• * 2.24

  An. Dom. 701.
• * 2.25

  An. Dom. 709.
• * 2.26

  An. Dom. 747.
• * 2.27

  An. Dom. 492.
• * 2.28

  An. Dom. 514.
• * 2.29

  An. Dom. 590.
• * 2.30

  Lib. Historialis St. Swithuni, Winton.
• * 2.31

  Cambden.
• † 2.32

  Containing now three Hundreds in Hantshire, Meanshorow, East-Mean, and West-Mean.
• * 2.33

  Eede, lib. 4. cap. 13.
• * 2.34

  Selsey in Sussex.
• * 2.35

  Bede, lib. 4. cap. 16.
• * 2.36

  Stoneham.
• * 2.37

  Cambden.
• † 2.38

  Now Red∣bridg. Cambden.
• † 2.39

  An. D 547. Kingdom of Bernicia.
• * 2.40

  An. Dom. 561. Kingdom of Deira.
• * 2.41

  An. Dom. 591.
• * 2.42

  An. Dom. 595.
• * 2.43

  An. Dom. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• k 2.44

  Otherwise named Tate.
• * 2.45

  Bede, Hist. Angl.
• * 3.1

  An. Dom. 633:
• * 3.2

  Bede, Hist. Angl. lib. 3. cap. 1.
• * 3.3

  An. Dom. 634.
• * 3.4

  An, Dom. 642.
• * 3.5

  Bede, Eccl. Hist. lib. 3. cap. 25.
• * 3.6

  An. Dom. 671.
• * 3.7

  An. Dom. 686.
• * 3.8

  An. Dom. 706.
• * 3.9

  An. Dom. 717.
• * 3.10

  An. Dom. 719.
• * 3.11

  An. Dom. 729.
• * 3.12

  An. Dom. 7; 8.
• * 3.13

  An. Dom. 758.
• * 3.14

  An. Dom. 758.
• * 3.15

  An. Dom. 764.
• * 3.16

  An. Dom. 774.
• * 3.17

  An. Dom. 778.
• * 3.18

  An. Dom. 789.
• * 3.19

  An. Dom. 790.
• * 3.20

  An. Dom. 500.
• * 3.21

  An. Dom. 575.
• * 3.22

  An. Dom 593.
• * 3.23

  An. Dom. 624.
• * 3.24

  An. Dom. 636.
• * 3.25

  An. Dom 639.
• * 3.26

  An. Dom 643.
• * 3.27

  Au. Dom. 654.
• * 3.28

  An Dom 656.
• * 3.29

  An. Dom 665.
• * 3.30

  An. Dom. 684.
• * 3.31

  An. Dom. 691.
• * 3.32

  An. Dom. 714.
• * 3.33

  An. Dom. 766.
• * 3.34

  An. Dom. 627.
• * 3.35

  An. Dom. 659.
• * 3.36

  Ar. Dom. 659
• * 3.37

  An. Dom. 676.
• * 3.38

  An. Dom. 705.
• * 3.39

  An. Dom. 709.
• * 3.40

  Spelm. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. pag. 235.
• * 3.41

  An. Dom. 716.
• * 3.42

  Spelm. Cincil. pag. 244.
• * 3.43

  An. Dom. 754.
• * 3.44

  An. Dom. 756.
• * 3.45

  Alcuinus.
• * 3.46

  An, Dom. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 3.47

  An. Dom 794;
• * 3.48

  An. Dom. 815.
• * 3.49

  An. Dom. 495.
• * 3.50

  An. Dom. 501.
• * 3.51

  An. Dom. 508.
• * 3.52

  An. Dom. 514.
• * 3.53

  Cambden in Icenis.
• * 3.54

  Cambden in Belgis.
• * 3.55

  An. Dom. 533.
• * 3.56

  An. Dom. 560.
• * 3.57

  An. Dom. 592.
• * 3.58

  An. Dom. 597.
• * 3.59

  An. Dom. 609.
• * 3.60

  Sax. Annal. Malmsbury.
• * 3.61

  Bede, lib. 3. cap. 7.
• * 3.62

  The first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Saxons.
• * 3.63

  An. Dom. 640.
• * 3.64

  Cambd. in Eelgis.
• * 3.65

  Cambd.
• * 3.66

  An. Dom. 672.
• * 3.67

  An. Dom. 674.
• * 3.68

  Saxon Annal.
• * 3.69

  An. Dom. 683.
• * 3.70

  An. Dom 689.
• * 3.71

  Mar. Wistm. Will. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 5.1

  Alias aep.
• * 5.2

  A Saxon shil∣ling consisted of five pence sterling.
• * 5.3

  Alderman.
• † 5.4

  The word signifies also Communi∣cants.
• † 5.5

  Alias, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 5.6

  Clothing of a Family.
• * 5.7

  Alias, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• † 5.8

  Alias, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 5.9

  Alias, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 5.10

  Sr. Hen. Spel∣man's Coun. page 227.
• * 5.11

  An. Dom 727.
• * 5.12

  An. Dom. 741.
• * 5.13

  Huntington.
• * 5.14

  An. Dom. 755.
• * 5.15

  An. Dom. 756.
• * 5.16

  An. Dom. 787.