ORIGINS OF KING ALFRED ACCORDING

THE ANNALS

OF ROGER DE HOVEDEN.

IN the year from the incarnation of our Lord 732, as Bede informs us, Bretwald, archbishop of Canterbury, departed this life, and was buried in the church of St. Peter. In this year, Tatwin was consecrated archbishop of Canterbury, it being the fifteenth year of the reign of Ethelbald, king of Mercia. In the same year, also, king Ceolwulph was taken prisoner, shorn, and sent back into his kingdom. He was imbued with a wonderful love for the Scriptures, as the truthful chronicler, Bede, states in the beginning of his Preface. In the same year, bishop Acca was expelled from his see, and Cynebert, bishop of Lindesey, died.

In the year 733, having received his pall from the Apostolic See, Tatwin ordained Alwin and Sigfrid bishops. An eclipse of the sun took place on the nineteenth day before the calends of September, about the third hour of the day, insomuch that the face of the sun seemed to be almost entirely covered with a very black and horrible shield.

In the year 734, on the second day before the calends of February, the moon was covered with a redness like blood for nearly a whole hour, at about the time of cock-crow; a darkness then coming on, she returned to her usual brightness. In the same year, Tatwin, the new archbishop of Canterbury, died. The first bishop of this city was Augustine, that famous instructor of the whole kingdom, and excellent founder of the Christian faith and religion, to whom, in their order, succeeded Laurentius, Mellitus, Justus, Honorius, Deusdedit, the most learned Theodore, and Bretwald, whom Tatwin followed, as I have already mentioned. In the same year, Fridebert was ordained bishop of Hagustald.

In the year 735, Nothelm was ordained archbishop of Canterbury, and Egbert, bishop of York, was ordained to the arch­bishopric of the Northumbrians, being the first who, since Paulinus, had received the pall from the Apostolic See. In this year the learned Bede departed this life at Jarrow.

In the year from the incarnation of our Lord 736, Nothelm, having received the pall from the pope of Rome, ordained three bishops, namely, Cuthbert, Eordwald, and Ethelfrid.

In the year 737, bishop Aldwin, who was also called Wor, departed this life, and in his room Witta and Tota were consecrated bishops of the Mercians and the Mid-Angles. In the same year, in place of Ceolwulph, Eadbert, his uncle's son, received the kingdom of Northumbria.

In the year 738, Swetbrit,1 king of the East Saxons, died. In the following year, Ethelherd, king of the West Saxons, departed this life, on which his brother Cuthred was appointed king in his room. In the same year, archbishop Nothelm died, four years after having received the archbishopric, and Adulph, bishop of Rochester, departed this life.

In the year 740, Ethelwald, bishop of Lindisfarne, departed to the Lord, and Kinewulph was appointed to that see. In the same year of sacred memory, bishop Acca was removed to the realms of the living, after having held the bishopric of Hagustald twenty-four years, at the east side of which church his body was honorably interred: afterwards, when more than three hundred years had elapsed from his burial, in consequence of a divine revelation, he was removed by a certain priest, and placed in a coffin within the church, with due honor, where to the present day he is held in great veneration; as a merited proof of his sanctity before all men, the chasuble, tunic, and sudarium, which had been deposited in the earth with his most hallowed corpse, preserve even unto this day, not only their original appearance, but even their original strength of texture.

In the same year in which the holy bishop Acca departed to the realms of heaven, Arwin, the son of Eadulph, was slain, on the ninth day before the calends of January, being the sixth day of the week. In the same year, Cuthbert received the archbishopric of Canterbury, being the eleventh archbishop; and, in succession to Adulph, Dun became bishop of Rochester.

In the year 741, the monastery in the city of York was burnt, on the ninth day before the calends of May, being the first day of the week.

In the year 744, a battle was fought between the Picts and the Britons; and in the following year, fiery strokes were beheld in the air, such as no men of that generation had ever seen before, and were visible throughout almost all the night of the calends of January. In the same year also, according to some accounts, the second Wilfrid, bishop of York, departed to the Lord on the third day before the calends of May; but it is my opinion, that before Bede had completed his history, this Wilfrid had been already translated to the realms of heaven. In these days died Inguald, bishop of London, and at this time flourished Saint Guthlac.

In the year 749, died Elfwald, king of East Anglia, upon which Hunbenna and Albert divided the kingdom between them. In the following year, that is to say, in 750, king Eadbert brought bishop Kinewulph prisoner to the city of Bebba, and caused the church of St. Peter, in Lindisfarne, to be besieged. Offo, the son of Alfred, was unthinkingly running with all haste towards the relics of Saint Cuthbert, the bishop, when he was dragged out of the church, without his weapons, and almost famished with hunger.

In the same year, bishop Allwieh died, and Ardulf, a deacon, was ordained to the bishopric. Cuthred, the king of the West Saxons, rose against Ethelbald, king of Mercia.

In the year from the incarnation of our Lord 752, on the day before the calends of August, an eclipse of the moon took place.

In the year 753, Boniface the archbishop, who was also called Winfrid, with fifty-three others, was crowned with the martyrdom of the Franks. In the following year, Cuthred, king of the West Saxons, died, the sceptre of whose kingdom was received by Sigebert.

In the year 756, being the fifteenth 18 year of his reign, king Eadbert, with Unnust, king of the Picts, led an army to the cities of Alclutit, and there received the Britons of that neighbourhood under their subjection, on the first day of August; but, on the tenth day of the same month, almost the whole of the army which he led from Deouama, was destroyed at Niwambirg, that is at the new city. In the same year Baltere, the anchorite, attained the life of the righteous, and departed unto the Lord. On the eighth day before the calends of December, the moon, on her fifteenth day, being about her full, appeared to be covered with the colour of blood, and then, the darkness decreasing, she returned to her usual brightness; but, in a wondrous manner, a bright star followed the moon, and, passing across her, preceded her when shining, at the same distance at which it had followed her before she was darkened.

In the rear 757, Ethelbald, king of Mercia, was treacherously slain by his own allies. In the same year a civil war arose among the Mercians, and Beornred being put to flight, king Offa was victorious.

In the year 758, Ling Eadbert voluntarily resigned the kingdom, which he had received from God, to his son Osulph, who held it but one year and then lost it, having been treacherously slain by his own servants near Mechilwongton, on the ninth day before the calends of August.

In the following year, Ethelwald, who was also called Moll, began to reign on the nones of August. At the beginning of the third year of his reign a most severe battle was fought, near Edwin's Cliff, on the seventh day before the ides of August, in which, after a fight of three days, Oswin was slain, and thus king Ethelwald gained the victory. This took place on the first day of the week. In the same year, Unnust, king of the Picts, departed this life.

In the year 762 king Ethelwald took Etheldreda for his queen, on the calends of November, at Cataract. In the third year from this, that is to say in 764, there was a great snow with intense frost, not to be compared with any in former ages. It covered the earth from the beginning of winter almost until the middle of spring, and through its rigour the trees and vegetables mostly withered away, and many marine animals were found dead. In the same year, likewise, Ceolwulph, formerly king, and afterwards a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ and a monk, departed this life.

It was to this king that the truthful Bede wrote the epistle which begins thus: "To the most glorious king, Ceolwulph, Bede, servant of Christ, and priest. I formerly, at your request, most readily transmitted to you the Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation, which I had newly published, for you to read and give it your approbation; and I now send it again to be transcribed, and more fully considered at your leisure." The king himself, after renouncing the world, became a monk in the church of Lindisfarne, and there struggled for a heavenly kingdom. His body being afterwards brought to the  church at Norham, according to the accounts given by the inhabitants of that place, became famous for working many miracles. Through the influence of this king, after he had become a monk, licence was granted to the monks of the church of Lindisfarne to drink wine or ale; for before, they were in the habit of drinking only milk or water, according to the ancient rule prescribed by Saint Aidan, the first bishop of that church, and that of the monks who, coming with him from Scotland, had received there a settlement by the munificence of king Oswald, and rejoiced to live in great austerity, with a view to a future life.

 

A.D. 764. DEATH OF EDITHAVOLD. 

 

In the same year, many cities, monasteries, and towns, in various places, and even kingdoms, were laid waste by sudden conflagrations; such, for instance, as the city of Sterburgwenta, Romunie, the city of London, the city of York, and Doncaster; many other places also, the same calamity overtook.

In the same year died Frehelm the priest and abbat, and Tocca, bishop of the Mercians, on which Eadbert was ordained bishop in his room. At this period, also, Frithwold, bishop of Whitherne, departed from this world, and Pechtwin was appointed in his stead.

In the year 765, fiery strokes were seen in the air, such as formerly appeared on the night of the calends of January, as I have already mentioned. In the same year Ethelwald lost the kingdom of Northumbria at Wincanheale, on the third day before the calends of November, and was succeeded in the kingdom by Alcred, who was a descendant, as some say, of king Ida. Hemeli, bishop of the Mercians, also departed this life. Cuthred was ordained bishop of Lichfield; and at the same period archbishop Bregwin died, and had Lambert for his successor; bishop Aldulph also dying, Ceolwulph succeeded him in the diocese of Lindesey.

In the year 766, Egbert, archbishop of' York, rested in the peace of Christ, on the thirteenth day before the calends of December, it being the thirty-fourth year of his episcopate; and in the same year Saint Frithebert, bishop of Hagustald, departed this life.

In the year 767, Albert was consecrated bishop of York, and Alcmund bishop of Hexham, on the eighth day before the calends of May. In the same year Albert was ordained bishop of the East Saxons, and Ceolwulph was consecrated bishop of Lindesey. In this year also, Etha, the anchorite, died happily at Cric, a place distant about ten miles from the city of York.

In the year 768, being the tenth year after the abdication of his kingdom, Eadbert happily breathed forth his spirit, being a member of the priesthood, and devoted to the service of God. In the same year died Pepin, king of the Franks, and Hadwin was ordained bishop at Macuhi.

In the year 769, Cataract was burnt by the tyrant Carnred, and by the judgment of God, he himself perished by fire in the same year.

In the year 771, Offa, king of Nercia, subdued in war the nation of the East Angles. In the same year, Carloman, the king of the Franks, being attacked by a sudden disease, departed this life, on which his brother Charles, who had before possessed half his father's kingdom, acquired the sovereignty of the whole, and afterwards, by his invincible bravery, obtained the chieftainship of all the peoples of the Franks.

In the year 772, Charles, the king of the Franks, having collected a powerful army and assembled the warlike forces of his kingdom, invaded the nation of the Saxons, and after having lost many of his principal and most noble men, betook himself home.

In the year from the incarnation of our Lord 773, bishop Hadwin departed this life, and Leuthfrid was appointed bishop in his room. Wulfeth also, abbat of Beverley, died, and Albert, the archbishop of York, received the pall that had been sent to him by pope Adrian.

In the year 774, duke Eadwulph died, and Alcred being deprived of the counsel and assistance of his own family and his chief men, exchanged the dignity of a crown for exile, and with a few companions of his flight, first betook himself to the city of Bebba, and afterwards to the king of the Picts whose name was Cynoth. The city of Bebba is an extremely well fortified place, of no great size, but extending over the space of about two or three fields, having a single approach, hollowed out [of the rock], and in a wonderful manner raised on high and ascended by steps; it has, on the summit of a hill, a church most beautifully built, in which is a precious shrine, wherein, wrapped in a pall, lies the right hand of the holy king Oswald, uncorrupted, as Bede, the historian of this nation, relates. There is on the western side, and in the highest part of the city, a fountain hollowed out in a marvellous fashion, the water of which is sweet to drink, and most limpid to the sight.

Ethelred, the son of Ethelwald, reigned in his father's stead, and, as will appear in the sequel, held the government hardly five years. At the same period, Charles, the most invincible king of the Franks, after having harassed it with a siege, took Ticinum, the most noble city of the Lombards, together with king Desiderius himself, and gained possession of the whole of Italy.

In the year 775, Cynoth, king of the Picts, departed this life, and duke Eadulph was fraudulently taken prisoner by stratagem, and after a short time slain, buried, and forgotten. Abbat Ebbi also died, and king Charles, as I have already observed, the most warlike of the Franks, being attended and supported by, and glorying in, the entire might of his army, entered the country of the Saxon in battle array, and accompanied by his legions. This district, raging with fire and sword, he laid waste by most severe conflicts; inflamed with furious anger, with a mighty arm he succeeded in adding to his own supreme empire the cities of Sigeburg and Aresburg, and the province of Bohwer, which had been previously overrun by the Franks.

In the year 777, Pecwin, bishop of Whitherne, departed to the Lord, and was succeeded by Ethelbert.

In the year 779, Ethelred being expelled from the throne, and driven into exile, was forced to undergo great trials. On the expulsion of Ethelred, Elfwald, the son of Osulph, received the kingdom of Northumbria, and held it ten years. He was a pious and just king, as a future circumstance will prove.

In the year 780, dukes Osbald and Ethelherd, having collected an army, burned Beam, the king's patrician, at Seletune, on the ninth day before the calends of January. In the same year, archbishop Albert departed from this world unto Christ, Eanbald, while he was yet alive, having been appointed to the same see. Bishop Kinewulph also, having laid aside the cares of the world, this year gave up the government of his church, together with the management of all his household, to Higbald. In the same year also, bishop Eanbald, having received the pall which had been sent him from the Apostolic See, was solemnly invested as archbishop.

In the year 781, Alcmund, bishop of Hagustald, a man of remarkable piety and of great virtues, departed to Christ, in the third year of the reign of the glorious king Elfwald, on the seventh day before the ides of September; Saint Gilbert suc­ceeded him.

In the year 783, being the third year of the righteous king Elfwald, Werburg, who had formerly been queen of the Mercians, but was then an abbess, departed this life, to live eternally with Christ. At the same period, bishop Kinewulph departed to the realms of heaven in the fortieth year of his episcopate.

In the year 786, being the eighth year of king Elfwald, Bothwin, the venerable abbat of the church of Ripon, in the sight of his brethren who were present, departed to the kingdom of heaven, and Albert was elected in his room and ordained. In the same year Aldulph was consecrated bishop by archbishop Eanbald, and bishops Gilbert and Higbald, at Corbridge. In these days, Rictrith, who was formerly a queen, and afterwards an abbess, departed unto the Lord. At the same period, Kinewulph, king of the West Saxons, was murdered in a dreadful manner by the perfidious tyrant Kinebard, and the cruel assassin, himself, was without mercy slain by duke Osred, the avenger of his master; upon which, Brithric received the kingdom of the West Saxons. At this time, legates from the Apostolic See were sent to Britain (the venerable bishop George being the chief among them) by pope Adrian, to renew among is the ancient ties of friendship and the catholic faith, which Saint Gregory the pope had taught through Saint Augustine: having been honorably received by the kings and archbishops or primates of this country, they returned home in peace, with great presents, as was befitting.

 

A.D. 787. LEGATES ARRIVE FROM ROME.

 

In the year 787, a synod was held at Wineanheale, on the fourth day before the nones of September; at this period, Albert, abbot of Ripon, died, and Sigred succeeded him.

In the year 788, a conspiracy having been formed, king Elfwald was slain by a shocking death, by his patrician Sigga, the ninth day before the calends of October, at a place called Siltecester near the wall. The body of this excellent king was carried by great crowds of monks to the church of Hagustald, attended with the chaunts of the clergy, and was honorably buried there, in the church of Saint Andrew. He was succeeded by his nephew Osred, the son of king Alcred, who reigned one year. In the place where the good king Elfwald was murdered, a light sent down from heaven, is said to have been seen by great numbers of people. A church was built there by the faithful of that place, and consecrated to the honor of God, and of the saints, Cuthbert the bishop, and Oswald the king and martyr.

In the year 790, Ethelred was recalled from exile, and again, by the grace of Christ, seated on the throne of his kingdom. But king Osred, having been betrayed by the treachery of his nobles, was deprived of his kingdom and shorn in the city of York, and afterwards, compelled by necessity, went into exile. In the second year of his reign, duke Eardulph was taken prisoner, and was taken to Ripon, and there slain without the gate of the church by the above-named king. The brethren having carried his body to the church with Gregorian chaunts, and then placed it in a tent outside -thereof, after midnight he was found alive within the church.

In the same year Baldwulph was ordained bishop of Whitherne, at the place which is called Hearrahaldh, which may be translated "the place of the lords." For in the preceding year, bishop Ethelbert left his own see, on the death of Saint Gilbert, and received the bishopric of Hagustald, as his see.

In the year 791, the sons of king Elfwald were dragged away by force from the city of York, and, having been enticed from the principal church by false promises, were shockingly slain by king Ethelred, at Wonwaldremere; their names were Elf and Elfwin. In this year also, Lambert, archbishop of Canterbury, departed to the Lord; Ethelherd, abbat" of the monastery of Lhuda, was elected his successor and consecrated archbishop.

In the year 792, Charles, king of the Franks, sent to Britain a book containing articles agreed upon in a synod, which had been sent to him from Constantinople; in which book, oh shame! there were found many things repugnant and contrary to the true faith, and especially that it had been unanimously agreed to by three hundred, or even more, of the various bishops of the East, that images ought to be worshipped, a thing that the Church of God utterly abhors. Against this Albinus wrote an epistle, wonderfully confirmed by the authority of the Holy Scriptures, and presented it with the same book, in the name of our bishops and princes, to the king of the Franks.

In the same year also, Osred, relying upon the oath and fidelity of certain nobles, came secretly from Eufania, the place of his exile; and then, being deserted by his soldiers, was taken prisoner by the said king Ethelred, and by his order slain at a place called Dingburg, on the eighteenth day before the calends of October. His body was carried to Tynemouth, and buried in the royal tomb, in the noble monastery there. In the same year king Ethelred took as his queen Elfleda, the daughter of Offa, king of Mercia, at Cataract, on the third day before the calends of October.

In the year 793, being the fourth year of the reign of King Ethelred, dreadful prodigies alarmed the wretched nation of the English, for terrific lightnings, and dragons in the air, and strokes of fire were seen hovering on high and shooting to and fro; which were ominous signs of the great famine and the frightful and ineffable slaughter of multitudes of men which afterwards ensued. In the same year also, duke Sigga, who slew king Elfwald, died a merited death, and his body was carried to the island of Lindisfarne, on the ninth day before the calends of May.

Lindisfarne is a large island, eight miles or thereabouts in circumference. In it was a noble monastery, where the illustrious bishop Cuthbert was interred, together with other bishops who most worthily succeeded him. With respect to them, the words of the chaunt may be appropriately repeated­"The bodies of the saints are buried in peace." Lindis is the name of a river which, two feet in width, runs into the sea. When it is "Ledon," or low tide, the river can be seen; but when it is Molina," or the high tide of the sea, then the Lindis cannot be seen. The tide of the ocean follows the moon, and, as though by its inhaling, is raised to high water, and then, by its breathing forth, is driven back again. It seems to flow and to ebb twice a day, later each time by three quarters and half an hour, as Bede testifies. Fame is the name of an island on which the most blessed Cuthbert passed the life of a hermit. It is not so large as Lindisfarne, but is situate out at sea, and is buffeted day and night by huge billows.

In the same year, the pagans, coming from the northern regions to Britain with a naval armament, made descents in all quarters, plundering, ravaging, and slaughtering, like most cruel wolves, not only beasts of burthen, oxen and sheep, but priests and Levites as well, and multitudes of monks and nuns. They came, as I have observed, to the church of Lindisfarne and laid waste all places with dreadful havoc, trod down holy places with their polluted feet, undermined the altars, and carried off all the treasures of the holy church. Some of the brethren they slaughtered; some they carried off with them in chains a very great number, loaded with abuse, they thrust out naked, and some they drowned in the sea. With respect to them, the words may be appropriately quoted: "Fortune bears hard upon the lot of the guiltless. Evil is the due punishment of wickedness. The wrong-doers are seated after their wont on a lofty throne, and the guilty in an unjust manner are treading upon the necks of the righteous. Bright virtue lies concealed in obscure shades, and the just suffer the penalties of the wicked." These having retired, congratulating themselves on their booty and their wicked deeds, I shall recount what misfortunes the succeeding year brought.

In the year 794, the pagans above mentioned having laid waste the harbour of king Egfrid, plundered the monastery of Donum. But Saint Cuthbert did not permit them to depart without punishment; for their chief was there slain by the English, and died a cruel death; and, after the interval of a short time, the violence of a tempest wrecked, destroyed, and foundered their ships, and overwhelmed a vast number in the sea. Upon this, some of them were thrown upon shore, and soon dispatched without mercy; and this justly befell them, for they grievously injured those who had not injured them. At that time Ethelherd died, who was formerly a duke, but then a priest in the city of York. In the same year the venerable pope Adrian departed unto the Lord on the seventh day before the calends of January. He held the See twenty-six years, ten months, and eleven days. He was buried in the church of Saint Peter, the prince of the Apostles, and over his tomb a tablet of marble, fixed against the wall, recounted his good works, in verses written by the command of king Charles in letters of gold.

In the year 795, the same most valiant king Charles, having laid waste their country, with a strong hand, by his arms subdued the nation of the Huns. Their prince having been put to flight, and their army worsted or cut to pieces, he carried away thence fifteen wagons filled with gold, silver, and precious vestments made entirely of silk, each of which was drawn by four oxen. All these the same king, on account of the victory which had been granted him by the Lord, ordered to be divided among the churches of Christ and the poor, returning thanks together with all those who had fought together with him.

In the year 796, being the seventh year of King Ethelred, Alric, who was formerly a duke, but then a priest in the city of York, departed this life; and shortly afterwards, that is to say, on the fifth day before the calends of April, an eclipse of the moon took place between the time of cock-crow and day­break. In the same year, king Ethelred was slain at Cobre, on the fourteenth day before the calends of May. On this, Osbald, a patrician, was chosen king by some of the nobles of that nation; and after twenty-seven days, being deserted by all the royal household and the nobles, and banished and expelled from the kingdom, he retired with a few followers to the island of Lindisfarne, and went thence with some of the brethren by ship to the king of the Picts.

Then Eardulph, whom I have previously mentioned, the son of Earnulph, having been recalled from exile, received the crown, and on the seventh day before the calends of June, was consecrated at York, in the church of Saint Peter, before the altar of Saint Paul, where that nation had first received the blessings of baptism. Not long after this, that is to say, on the seventh day before the calends of August, Offa, the most mighty king of the Mercian, departed this life, after having reigned thirty-nine years, and was succeeded in the kingdom by his son Egfrith, who died the same year.

Upon this, Kenulph, the father of Kenelm, received the crown of the kingdom of Mercia, and gloriously held it in the invincible power of his might; in the same year also Ceolwulph died at Lindesey, and shortly after, that is to say, on the fourth day before the ides of August, Archbishop Eanbald died at the monastery called Edete, and his body was carried, with a vast concourse accompanying it, to the city of York, and honorably buried there, in the church of Saint Peter the Apostle. Immediately thereupon, another Eanbald, a priest of the same church, was elected archbishop, and consecrated at Sochesburg by bishops Ethelbert, Higbald, and Baldwulph.

In the year 797, this last Eanbald, having received the pall from the Apostolic See, was solemnly confirmed in the arch­bishopric of Northumbria, on the sixth day before the ides of September, being the nativity of Saint Mary; with regard to which day, the poet says: "With honor shines the day on which Mary the good virgin, proceeding from the line of king David, was born unto the world."

In the same year died Ethelbert, bishop of Hagustald, whom Eadred succeeded, and was ordained by archbishop Eanbald and bishop Higbald at a place which is called Widford.

In the year 798, a conspiracy having been entered into by the murderers of king Ethelred, Wada, the leader in the plot, together with the others, fought a battle against king Erdulph, at a place which is called by the English Billingahon, near Wallalalege, and after many were slain on either side, earl Wada with his men was put to flight, and king Erdulph bravely gained a victory over his foes. In the same year, London was destroyed by a sudden conflagration, together with a vast multitude of people.

At this period, Kenulph, king of the Mercians, with all the strength of his army, entered the province of Kent, and laid it waste with dreadful slaughter. At the same time, Eadbert, king of Kent, was taken prisoner, and the king of the Mercian ordered his eyes to be put out, and his hands to be cut off without mercy, as a punishment for their pride and treachery; then, having obtained the suffrage of the Lord, he added the rule of his kingdom to his own sway, placing the crown upon his head and the sceptre in his hand. In the same year also, being the third year of the above-named king Kenulph, a synod was held at the place which is called Wincanhele, under the presidency of archbishop Eanbald, many ecclesiastics and men of princely dignity attending thereat. They devised many things for the benefit of the Holy Church of God, and of the nation of Northumbria and all the provinces, as to the observance of Easter, feasts, and judgments, both holy and secular. These enactments rendered those days distinguished for just kings, virtuous nobles, and holy bishops, and other wise men, namely, priests and monks; through the foresight and justice of whom, and their holy deeds, the state of the kingdom of Northumbria sent forth a sweet fragrance in those times. The lord archbishop Eanbald commanded the profession of faith in the articles of the five synods to be repeated, concerning which it is thus written in the history of the English: "We do agree to the holy and universal decrees of the five synods of the fathers, holy and acceptable to God, in such form as the text of the present book contains," &c.

In the year 799, in the British seas a very great number of ships were tossed and wrecked, or dashed against each other, and sunk, together with a vast multitude of men. In the same year, Brorda, a prince of the Mercian, who was also called Hyldegils, departed this life. An abbat also, whose name was Altilthegno, was murdered by his deputy, and died a shocking death. At this period, Osbald, who was formerly an exile and a patrician, and king for a time, but afterwards an abbat, departed this life, and was buried in the church at York. Earl Aldred, the murderer of king Ethelred, was slain by earl Thormund, in revenge for his master the said king.

In the year 800, Heardred, bishop of Hagustald, died in the third year of his episcopate, and was succeeded by Eanbrith. At the same period also, on the ninth day before the calends of January, the day before the Nativity of our Lord, a mighty wind blowing either from the south or the west, by its indescribable force destroyed very many cities, houses, and towns in various places, and levelled them with the ground; innumerable trees were also torn up from the roots, and thrown to the ground. In the same year an inundation took place, the sea flowing beyond its ordinary limits. An extensive murrain also prevailed among the cattle in various places.

In the year 801, Edwin, also called Eda, who had formerly been a duke of Northumbria, but was at that time, by the grace of the Saviour of the world, an abbat, being firmly rooted in the service of God, breathed his last, in the presence of his brethren, on the eighteenth day before the calends of February. At this time, Eardulph, king of Northumbria, led an army against Kenwulph, king of Mercia, because he had entertained his enemies; the latter also collected an army, and obtained very considerable aid from other kingdoms. A long war having been waged between them, at length, by the advice of the bishops and chief men among the English on both sides, and through the intervention of the king of the Angles,  they agreed to a truce; and a most solemn treaty of peace was concluded between them, which, by oath upon the gospel of Christ, both kings ratified, taking God for their witness, and giving sureties, that all their days, so long as they should live and be invested with the insignia of royalty, there should remain between them lasting peace and true friendship, unshaken and inviolate.

In the same year Hathubert, bishop of London, departed this life, and shortly after a great part of the city itself was destroyed by a sudden conflagration. In this year Charles, the most mighty king of the Franks, was declared supreme emperor at Rome, by all the senate, the imperial crown being placed upon his head by our lord the pope.

 

A.D. 802. WICKEDNESS OF EADBURGA. 

 

In the year from the incarnation of our Lord 802, Brithric, the king of the West-Saxons, who had most gloriously reigned over that nation for seventeen years, departed this life, and was succeeded by Egbert. The said king Brithric had taken in marriage Eadburga, daughter of Offa, king of the Mercians, who ordered the great dyke to be made between Britain and Mercia, that is to say, from sea, to sea. Now this Eadburga, being the daughter of a king and surrounded with much pomp, was inspired with wonderful ambition, and, after the manner of her father, began to live in a tyrannical manner and to despise all men, insomuch that she was hated not only by nobles and magistrates, but even by all the people. She did not cease uttering accusations continually against all the religious before the king, and by her evil speaking so wrought upon her husband by means of her blandishments, that those whom she accused, she caused to be put to death or banished the realm; and if she was unable to effect this, she did not hesitate secretly to take them off by poison.

There was at that time a certain illustrious youth, very dear to the above-named king, and greatly beloved by him, whom, when she wished to accuse him to the king, and could not accomplish it, with wicked intent she cut off by poison, the king in ignorance having tasted which, he expired. But she had not purposed to give the poison to the king, but to the youth, whereas the head of all the nobles partaking of it first, they both drank of the deadly draught, and both perished through the extremely bitter taste thereof. He being slain by reason of this wicked deed, this most wicked poisoner was smitten with fear, and crossing the seas in her flight with innumerable treasures, repaired to Charles, the most famous king of the Franks.

As she stood before him in his chamber, and offered the king precious gifts, he thus addressed her; "Choose, Eadburga, which of the two you would prefer, myself or my son, who is standing with me in the room;" on which she, without any deliberation, foolishly made answer and said; "If the option were given me, I would sooner choose your son than yourself, because he seems to be the younger;" on which king Charles is said to have replied:—"If you had chosen me, you should have had my son, but inasmuch as you have chosen him, you shall have neither me nor him for your own." However, on account of her wickedness, the king conferred on her a most excellent monastery, in which, laying aside her secular dress, and hypocritically assuming the garb of the nuns, she spent a very few years. For as this execrable woman lived wickedly in her own country, so much more the miserably and wickedly was she discovered to have been living in a foreign land. For, a short space of time having elapsed, while by some she was supposed to be performing her appropriate duties, she was debauched by a certain low fellow of her own nation. "Let cloudy error give way before justice; let it cease, in fact, to seem a wondrous thing, that a woman should be taken in adultery." There is nothing for one to wonder at; "Nothing is there concealed which shall not be known."

After this, by order of the emperor Charles the Great, she was, with great weariness and anguish of mind, expelled from her holy monastery, and, exposed to the reproaches of all, passed the rest of her life in poverty and misery; attended to the last by one poor servant, and begging daily at houses and castles and in cities, she died miserably at Pavia."

Brithric, the glorious king of the West-Saxons, being dead, king Egbert succeeded him in the rule and sway, and, springing from the royal stock, placed the diadem of the whole kingdom on his head, being encircled with a most ample crown. For he was a most active man, and, distinguished for his power, he subjected many realms to his dominion. He reigned thirty-six years and seven months.

To Egbert succeeded his most mighty son Etbacrulph, who by his noble wife had four sons, whose names were Ethelbald, Ethelbert, Ethelred, and Alfred, all of whom in turn succeeded to the kingdom.

Cuthred, therefore, the above mentioned king of Wessex, after having conquered the most valiant earl Edelhun, as I have already mentioned elsewhere, when, in the thirteenth year of his reign, he was no longer able to endure the exactions and insolence of Ethelbald, king of Mercia, met him, with his troops ranged under their banners, at Bereford, having post­poned all hopes of surviving to liberty. He also brought with him Edelhun, the above-named warlike earl, who was then reconciled to him, and relying on whose valour and counsel he was enabled to incur the hazards of war. On the other hand, Ethelbald, the king of kings, together with the Mercians, had brought the men of Kent, and the West Saxons, and numerous forces of the Angles. The armies, therefore, being drawn up in battle array, marching straight onward, were drawing close to each other, when Edelhun going before, and bearing the standard of the king of Wessex, which was a golden dragon, pierced the enemy's standard-bearer. On this, en outcry arising, the party of Cuthred was greatly encouraged, and immediately thereupon the hostile ranks closed, and rushed on to mutual slaughter, with dreadful blows and a terrific crash.

In this battle, with all their pride, the Mercians were so humbled, that for a long series of succeeding years fortune rendered them subject to Wessex. Any one, who had just before seen the ranks shining with coats of mail, bristling with helmets, rough with lances, variegated with standards, and resplendent with gold, might shortly afterwards have seen them steeped in blood, with lances broken, scattered in ruin, bespattered with human brains, and frightful to look upon. With determined obstinacy, and displaying the greatest bravery, they rallied beneath their standards, and waged the combat with swords and battle-axes, and with direful intent line rushed on against line, each side having an assured hope of victory. There was no thinking of flight; the Mercians were urged on by the swelling pride of their proud dominion, the men of Wessex were inflamed by the dread of slavery. But in every direction Edelhun, the above-named earl, penetrated the ranks, and a road lay open, strewed with ruin, while in the dreadful carnage his battle-axe was hewing through both bodies and armour.

Ethelbald, the most valiant king of the Mercians, rushed on in every direction, and slaughtered the enemy, while to his most unconquerable sword arms were only like garments, bones like flesh. When, therefore, (just like two fires set in different places, which consume everything that intervenes) it came to pass that the king and the earl met face to face, each terribly and franticly gnashed his teeth at the other and shook his right hand and put himself on his guard, and with mighty blows they both provoked the attack. But the God who opposes the haughty, depressed the wonted confidence of mind of the haughty king. When, therefore, he could neither recover his spirit nor his strength, while his own men were still engaged, in a fit of terror he took to flight, and from that day to the time of his death, God granted him no prosperity whatever. For, four years after this, again engaging at Secandune, after a dreadful slaughter of his army, disdaining flight, he was slain, and was buried at Repandun; and thus this most mighty king, after he had reigned forty-one years, paid the penalty for his immoderate pride.

From this period, the kingdom of Wessex, being greatly strengthened, did not cease to increase till it had reached perfection. In the fourteenth year of his reign, Cuthred fought against the Britons, who, vainly opposing him who had conquered king Ethelbald, speedily took to flight, and deservedly suffered a very great slaughter, without any loss to the enemy. In the following year, Cuthred, the high and mighty king, illustrious for so many successes and victories, departed this life.

Sigebert, a relation of the above-named king, succeeded him, but held the sovereignty for a short time only; for growing haughty and insolent, by reason of the exploits of his predecessor, he became intolerable even to his own domestics, as he ill-treated them in all manner of ways, and either perverted the common laws of the kingdom to his own advantage, or disregarded them for his own profit; on which, Cumbra, his earl, a most noble man, at the entreaty of the whole people, acquainted the cruel king with their complaints; but when he exhorted him to act with more moderation, and to treat the people with kindness, and laying aside his wonted inhumanity, to show himself amiable to God and man, the king immediately ordered him to be killed by an unrighteous death, and becoming more cruel and more intolerable to his people, proved himself a still greater tyrant. In the second year of his reign, having persisted in his intolerable pride and wickedness, the nobles and the people of the whole kingdom met together, and upon mature deliberation, by the universal consent of all, king Sigebert was expelled from the kingdom.

On this, Kinewulph, a virtuous young man of royal descent, was elected king. The impious Sigebert on being banished by his people, fearing the death that was the due of his wickedness, took to flight, and concealed himself in a great wood which is called Andredeswald, where a certain swineherd of earl Cumbra, who, as I have mentioned, had been iniquitously slain, found the king in his concealment, and recognized him when thus found, and becoming the avenger of his master, slew him when thus recognized. Behold the manifest judgments of God! behold how, not only in a future world, but even in this, he worthily recompenses our deserts. For choosing bad kings for the merited chastisement of their subjects, one He permits to rage for long, in order that both a wicked people may long be harassed, and he, a still more wicked king, may suffer the greater torments in eternity; as, for instance, Ethelbald, the above-named king of Mercia. But another one He cuts short with a speedy end, lest his people, weighed down with excessive tyranny, may not be able to take breath, and by reason of the immoderate wickedness of the ruler, may deservedly incur the speedy retribution of the eternal vengeance; as, for instance, this Sigebert of whom we are speaking, who in as great a degree as he proved himself wicked, was as disgracefully slain by a swineherd, and passed from one calamity to another. For which reason, to the eternal justice be praise and glory, now and forever!

In the first year of king Kinewulph, Beornred succeeded Ethelbald, king of Mercia, in the kingdom, but only for a short time. For in the same year Offa expelled him, and reigned over Mercia thirty-nine years. Offa, a most noble youth, was the son of Winfred, the son of Kanwulph, the son of Osmod, the son of Epa, the son of Wippa, the son of Creada, the son of Kinewald, the son of Cinbba, the son of Hycis, the son of Comer, the son of Ageltheu, the son of Offa, the son of Wermund, the son of Widaet, the son of Woden.

Offa was a most warlike king; for he conquered the people of Kent in battle, and vanquished in war the people of Wessex and the Northumbrians. He also showed himself a pious man, for he transferred the bones of Saint Alban to a monastery which he had built and greatly enriched, and gave to the pope of Rome, the vicar of St. Peter, a fixed tribute forever, from each town in his kingdom.

In the third year of king Kinewulph, Eadbert, king of the Northumbrian, seeing the unfortunate lives and unhappy ends of the above-named kings, (namely, Ethelbald and Sigebert,) and at the same time the praiseworthy life and glorious end of his predecessor Ceolwulph, chose that better part which could not be taken away from him. For having resigned his kingdom, he assumed the tonsure of his head, destined to produce for him an everlasting crown, and put on the dark-coloured clothes that were to confer on him an ethereal splendour. He was the eighth of those kings who of their own accord gave up their kingdoms for Christ, or rather, to speak more truthfully, exchanged them for an eternal kingdom; which eight are in the everlasting enjoyment of the multiplied delights of unspeakable blessings, and their blessed example is worthy of imitation.

He was succeeded in the kingdom by his son Osulf; who after he had reigned one year, was infamously betrayed by his own household, and slain.

After him, Mollethelwald reigned nine years. About this time archbishop Cuthbert died.

In the sixth year of the reign of king Kinewulph, Ethelbert, king of Kent, departed this life. In the same year, Ceolwulph, who, having resigned his earthly kingdom, had become a monk, departed unto a heavenly one. In the following year, Lambert was made archbishop of Canterbury. After having reigned six years, Mollethelwald resigned the kingdom of Northumbria; after him Aelred reigned eight years, in the second year of whose reign, Egbert, archbishop of York, departed this life, after having enjoyed the archbishopric for a period of thirty six years: Frithebert, bishop of Hagustald, also died, after having been bishop thirty-four years.

Archbishop Egbert was succeeded by Adelbert, and Alcmund succeeded bishop Fridebert.

In the fourth year of king Aelred, died Pepin, king of the Franks, Stephen, pope of Rome, and Eadbert, the son of Hecta, a most famous duke of [East] Anglia.

In the year of grace 769, in the fifteenth year of king Kinewulph, a wondrous mutation first began to take place. For the Roman empire, which had for so many years continued to enjoy pre-eminence, became subject to Charles the Great, king of the Franks. This took place after thirty years of his reign, which first commenced in this year, and from that time forward, down to the present day, it has belonged to his successors.

In the twentieth year of king Kinewulph, king Offa and the Mercian fought against the people of Kent at Ottanforde, and after a dreadful slaughter on both sides, the illustrious Offa was crowned with success. In the same year, the Northumbrians expelled their king Aelred from Eworwic, in Easter week, and chose for their king, Ethelred, the son of Mollethelwald, who reigned four years. It this year were seen dreadful signs in the heavens after sunset, of a red color; and, to the great astonishment of people, serpents were seen in Sussex.

In the second year after this, the Ancient Saxons, from whom the English nation is descended, were converted to the faith, and in the same year, Withwin, bishop of Whitherne, departed this life, in the twenty-fourth year of his episcopate.

In the twenty-fourth year of his reign, Kinewulph fought against Offa, near Benetune; being humbled by the fortune of war, he retreated, and Offa reduced that fortified place to subjection. In the same year, Ethelbert was consecrated at Eworwic, bishop of Whitherne.

In the following year, Ethelbald and Herebert, earls of the king of Northumbria, rebelled against their master, and slew Aldulph, the son of Bose, general of the king's army, in a pitched battle at Kingesdiwe; and afterwards in a great battle, the same generals slew Kinewulph and Egga, the king's earls, at Hilatirn. Upon this, the above-named king Ethelred, having lost his generals and his hopes, fled from before them, and they elected Alfimod king, who reigned for a period of ten years. In the following year, the nobles and high-reeves of Northumbria burned a certain earl and justiciary of theirs, who had shown himself more severe than was befitting. In the same year, archbishop Esbert died at Cestre, and was succeeded by Enbalo. In this year, Kinebald was made bishop of Lindisfarne. In the same year also, a battle took place between the Franks and Ancient Saxons, the Franks being the conquerors.

In the next year, Alfinild, king of Northumbria, sent to Rome for the pall, and gave it to archbishop Embald. At the same period, Gilbert succeeded Alcmund, bishop of Hagustald, who had lately died. About this time, there was a synod held at Ade. After Kinewulph had reigned twenty-six years, and, being victorious, had gained many battles against the Britons, and subdued them on every side, at length, he determined on banishing a certain young man, named Kineard, the brother of Sigebert. Upon this, he attacked the king at Meretune, whither he had privately gone to visit a certain female. On finding this to be the ease, the king stoutly defended himself at the door, until he caught sight of the youth, upon which he rushed out and wounded him, whereon all his confederates turned upon the king, and slew him. On the uproar being heard, the king's soldiers, who were in the town, ran towards the youth, and refusing gifts of lands and money that were offered by him, all died bravely fighting, with the exception of one Briton, who was severely wounded, and taken as a hostage. In the morning, the soldiers of the king, who were near at hand in waiting, when the king was slain, hemmed in the young man and his confederates; on which he thus said to them; " Your kinsmen are on my side; I will give you lands and money to your hearts' content, if you will not fight against us; I made the same offer to your companions, and refusing it they perished!" To this they made answer, that no money was dearer to them than their lord, and that they would avenge the death of their king and their comrades; and then rushing on, after a severe combat at the door, they slew the young man and eighty-four others who were with him. The only one left was a little son of the young man, and he received a wound. Kinewulph was buried at Winchester, in the thirty-first year of his reign, the young man at Acsminster.

Brithric, who also sprang from king Cerdic so often mentioned, succeeded Kinewulph, and reigned over Wessex sixteen years. In his second year, pope Adrian sent legates into Britain, to renew the faith which Augustine had preached. Being honorably received by the kings and the people, they raised a fair edifice upon a firm foundation, the mercy of Christ co-operating with them. They held a council at Cealtide, where Iambert resigned a portion of his episcopate; there also Higbert was elected by king Offa. In the same year, Egfrid was consecrated king of the province of Kent.

In the following year, being the year of grace 786, there appeared a sign upon people's clothes, which may be justly deemed marvellous to be mentioned and to be heard of. Whether this took place as a forewarning of the movement relative to the recovery of Jerusalem, and the assumption of the cross, which happened three hundred and eleven years after this period, in the time of William the younger, or whether it was rather intended for the correction of the people, lest they should not view the plague of the Danes with which they were shortly afterwards afflicted, in the light of a chastisement, I will not rashly undertake to settle, but, the mysteries of God I leave to God.

In the fourth year of his reign, Brithrie took to wife Eadburga, the daughter of Offa, king of Mereia. Strengthened on the throne by this alliance, he gave way to pride. In these days, the Danes came to Britain, with three ships, for the sake of plunder; the king's reeve in that province, seeing this, went to meet them without taking due precautions, in order that, having captured them, he might carry them to the king's town; for he was ignorant who they were, or for what purpose they had come; but, being immediately surrounded by them, he was slain. He was the first person of the English nation slain by the Danes, and after him many thousands of thousands were slaughtered by them at different periods; these too were the first ships of the Danes that arrived here.

In the following year, a synod was held in Northumbria, at Wincanhele.

In the sixth year of king Brithric, a synod was held at Aclea. By infamous treachery, Sigga slew Alwulph, the good king of Northumbria. In the same spot where this king, the beloved of God, was slain, a heavenly light was often beheld; his body was buried in the church of Hagustald. After him, Osred began to reign, but in the following year was betrayed, and expelled from the kingdom.

Ethelred, the son of Mollethelwald, was then restored to the kingdom; and in the fourth year of his reign, having collected forces for the purpose, Osred was on his return, in order that he might expel Ethelred from the kingdom, by whom he himself had been expelled. On his route he was captured and put to death, and buried at Tynemouth. How just then his remark, who said, "Oh, how blind to the future is the mind of man!" For when the above-mentioned youth Osred, dancing and elated with joy, was made king, how little did he think that in the second year from that time, he should be deprived of his throne, and in the fourth, of his life! For which reason, let us ever be thoughtful in prosperity, being ignorant how near at hand adversity may be.

At this time, Offa, king of the Mercians, ordered the head of Saint Ethelbert to be cut off, and in these days, Lambert, archbishop of Canterbury, departed this life, and abbat Ethelred was elected in his room archbishop of Canterbury. Eanbald, archbishop of York, consecrated Badulph, bishop of Whitherne.

In the tenth year of king Brithric, there were seen fiery dragons flying through the air, which tokens were followed by two plagues; first, a dreadful famine, and then the pagan nations coming from Norway and Denmark. These first ravaged the kingdom of Northumbria in a frightful manner, and then, in the district of Lindisfarne, on the ides of January, dreadfully destroyed the churches of Christ, together with the inhabitants; at which period also, died Sigga, the perfidious duke who had acted the traitor towards the righteous king Elfwald.

In the eleventh year of king Brithric, that is to say, in the year of grace 795, the Northumbrians slew their king, Ethelred, who, in the same year in which king Oared was slain, becoming elated with pride, had forsaken his own wife and taken a new one, little thinking that he himself was destined to be slain within two years from that time. After him Herdulph obtained the kingdom of Northumbria, and was consecrated king by archbishop Embald, bishop Ethelbert and bishop Hingbald, and bishop Baldulph, and ascended the throne at York.

In these days pope Adrian and the great king Offa, departed this life; this Offa reigned with mighty sway in Mercia, during a period of thirty-nine years. He subdued Kenulph, king of Wessex, and the people of Kent and Northumbria.

King Offa was succeeded by his son Egfrith, who reigned one hundred and forty-one days, and then died; he was succeeded by Kenulph, the father of Kenelm, a most powerful king. In the same year, Eadbert, who also bore the name of Pren, obtained the kingdom of Kent. The pagan nations laid waste Northumbria, and sacked the monastery of Egfrid at Tynemouth; they were there met by the most noble of the English, men extremely well inured to war, and, their chieftains being slain, the barbarians were overcome, and betook themselves to their ships. When they had reached the sea, they continued their flight with their ships, on which some of them were wrecked by a tempest, and many of them drowned; but some of them coming ashore were taken, and were beheaded near the sea-shore.

Not long after this, Kenwulph, king of Mercia, laid waste the province of Kent, and captured Pren, who was not a match for him in might, and had consequently concealed himself in hiding-places and out-of-the-way spots, and carried him back with him in chains.

In the fourteenth year of king Brithric, the Romans cut out the tongue of pope Leo, and put out his eyes, and expelled him from his see; but he, as written documents inform us, through the grace of Christ, was enabled again to see and to speak, and once more became pope. Three years after this, king Charles was made emperor, and having been consecrated by the same pope Leo, condemned those to death who had ill-treated the pope, but afterwards, by reason of the pope's entreaties, he saved their lives, and sent them into exile.

Three years after this, Brithric, king of Wessex, also departed this life, after he had most gloriously reigned over that nation seventeen years, having in ignorance taken some poison, which his wife Eadburga, the daughter of king Offa, had prepared for a certain young man; in consequence of which, they both died, as I have mentioned more at large above. At this time a great battle was fought in Northumbria, at Wellehare, in which perished Alric, the son of Herbert, and many others with him. The extreme perplexity that would result, necessarily prevents me from entering into a full description of the circumstances, fluctuations, and results of the wars; for the nation of the English was naturally hardy and proud, and in consequence incessantly engaged in intestine warfare.

Egbert therefore, in the year of grace 800, or, according to some, 802, being the eighth in order of ten most valiant kings, whom I have elsewhere remarked, as pre-eminently distinguished for their singular merits, on the death of Brithric succeeded to the throne, and reigned thirty-seven years and seven months over the kingdom of Wessex. At a youthful age, his predecessor Brithric, and Offa, king of Mercia, had banished him from this country. He was in exile three years at the court of the king of France, but behaved himself nobly and discreetly. On the death of the above-named king, he returned and gained the kingdom. On the same day, earl Ethelmund returned from Wicum, and, coming to Kinemeresforde, met earl Wistan with the men of Wiltshire, and there they fought, and both earls being slain, the Wiltshire men gained the victory.

In the fourth year after this, died Ethelred, archbishop of Canterbury, and was succeeded by Wilfred, and two years after, Cuthred, king of Kent, departed this life.

In the following year, Hardulph, king of Northumbria, was expelled from his kingdom.

In the fourteenth year of his reign, Egbert overran the territories of the Britons from east to west, and there was no one who could even attempt to make resistance to his prowess.

In the year after this, Charles, king of the Franks and emperor of the Romans, departed this life; and in the following year, Saint Leo, the pope, having died, Stephen succeeded him, who in his turn was succeeded by Paschal.

Shortly after this, Kenwulph, king of Mercia, departed this life, and was succeeded by Ceolwulph; but in the third year after this, he lost his kingdom, and Beornwulph gained possession of it.

In the fourteenth year of his reign, Egbert fought a battle with Beornwulph, king of Mercia, at Ellendune, by reason of which, an old saying mentions that, “the river Ellendune was red with gore, choked up with carnage, and stinking with putrefaction”. After a very great slaughter th