Atlength,theDevonshiremenmadeheadagainstanewhostofDaneswholandedontheircoast;killedtheirchief,andcapturedtheirflag;onwhichwasrepresentedthelikenessofaRaven-averyfitbirdforathievisharmylikethat,Ithink.ThelossoftheirstandardtroubledtheDanesgreatly,fortheybelievedittobeenchanted-wovenbythethreedaughtersofonefatherinasingleafternoon-andtheyhadastoryamongthemselvesthatwhentheywerevictoriousinbattle,theRavenstretchedhiswingsandseemedtofly;andthatwhentheyweredefeated,hewoulddroop.Hehadgoodreasontodroop,now,ifhecouldhavedoneanythinghalfsosensible;for,KINGALFREDjoinedtheDevonshiremen;madeacampwiththemonapieceoffirmgroundinthemidstofaboginSomersetshire;andpreparedforagreatattemptforvengeanceontheDanes,andthedeliveranceofhisoppressedpeople.
But,first,asitwasimportanttoknowhownumerousthosepestilentDaneswere,andhowtheywerefortified,KINGALFRED,beingagoodmusician,disguisedhimselfasaglee-manorminstrel,andwent,withhisharp,totheDanishcamp.HeplayedandsangintheverytentofGUTHRUMtheDanishleader,andentertainedtheDanesastheycaroused.Whileheseemedtothinkofnothingbuthismusic,hewaswatchfuloftheirtents,theirarms,theirdiscipline,everythingthathedesiredtoknow.Andrightsoondidthisgreatkingentertainthemtoadifferenttune;for,summoningallhistruefollowerstomeethimatanappointedplace,wheretheyreceivedhimwithjoyfulshoutsandtears,asthemonarchwhommanyofthemhadgivenupforlostordead,heputhimselfattheirhead,marchedontheDanishcamp,defeatedtheDaneswithgreatslaughter,andbesiegedthemforfourteendaystopreventtheirescape.But,beingasmercifulashewasgoodandbrave,hethen,insteadofkillingthem,proposedpeace:onconditionthattheyshouldaltogetherdepartfromthatWesternpartofEngland,andsettleintheEast;andthatGUTHRUMshouldbecomeaChristian,inremembranceoftheDivinereligionwhichnowtaughthisconqueror,thenobleALFRED,toforgivetheenemywhohadsoofteninjuredhim.This,GUTHRUMdid.Athisbaptism,KINGALFREDwashisgodfather.AndGUTHRUMwasanhonourablechiefwhowelldeservedthatclemency;for,everafterwardshewasloyalandfaithfultotheking.TheDanesunderhimwerefaithfultoo.Theyplunderedandburnednomore,butworkedlikehonestmen.Theyploughed,andsowed,andreaped,andledgoodhonestEnglishlives.AndIhopethechildrenofthoseDanesplayed,manyatime,withSaxonchildreninthesunnyfields;andthatDanishyoungmenfellinlovewithSaxongirls,andmarriedthem;andthatEnglishtravellers,benightedatthedoorsofDanishcottages,oftenwentinforshelteruntilmorning;andthatDanesandSaxonssatbytheredfire,friends,talkingofKINGALFREDTHEGREAT.
AlltheDaneswerenotliketheseunderGUTHRUM;for,aftersomeyears,moreofthemcameover,intheoldplunderingandburningway-amongthemafiercepirateofthenameofHASTINGS,whohadtheboldnesstosailuptheThamestoGravesend,witheightyships.
Forthreeyears,therewasawarwiththeseDanes;andtherewasafamineinthecountry,too,andaplague,bothuponhumancreaturesandbeasts.ButKINGALFRED,whosemightyheartneverfailedhim,builtlargeshipsnevertheless,withwhichtopursuethepiratesonthesea;andheencouragedhissoldiers,byhisbraveexample,tofightvaliantlyagainstthemontheshore.Atlast,hedrovethemallaway;andthentherewasreposeinEngland.
Asgreatandgoodinpeace,ashewasgreatandgoodinwar,KING
ALFREDneverrestedfromhislabourstoimprovehispeople.Helovedtotalkwithclevermen,andwithtravellersfromforeigncountries,andtowritedownwhattheytoldhim,forhispeopletoread.HehadstudiedLatinafterlearningtoreadEnglish,andnowanotherofhislabourswas,totranslateLatinbooksintotheEnglish-Saxontongue,thathispeoplemightbeinterested,andimprovedbytheircontents.Hemadejustlaws,thattheymightlivemorehappilyandfreely;heturnedawayallpartialjudges,thatnowrongmightbedonethem;hewassocarefuloftheirproperty,andpunishedrobberssoseverely,thatitwasacommonthingtosaythatunderthegreatKINGALFRED,garlandsofgoldenchainsandjewelsmighthavehungacrossthestreets,andnomanwouldhavetouchedone.Hefoundedschools;hepatientlyheardcauseshimselfinhisCourtofJustice;thegreatdesiresofhisheartwere,todorighttoallhissubjects,andtoleaveEnglandbetter,wiser,happierinallways,thanhefoundit.Hisindustryintheseeffortswasquiteastonishing.Everydayhedividedintocertainportions,andineachportiondevotedhimselftoacertainpursuit.Thathemightdividehistimeexactly,hehadwaxtorchesorcandlesmade,whichwereallofthesamesize,werenotchedacrossatregulardistances,andwerealwayskeptburning.Thus,asthecandlesburntdown,hedividedthedayintonotches,almostasaccuratelyaswenowdivideitintohoursupontheclock.Butwhenthecandleswerefirstinvented,itwasfoundthatthewindanddraughtsofair,blowingintothepalacethroughthedoorsandwindows,andthroughthechinksinthewalls,causedthemtogutterandburnunequally.Topreventthis,theKinghadthemputintocasesformedofwoodandwhitehorn.AndthesewerethefirstlanthornsevermadeinEngland.
Allthistime,hewasafflictedwithaterribleunknowndisease,whichcausedhimviolentandfrequentpainthatnothingcouldrelieve.Heboreit,ashehadborneallthetroublesofhislife,likeabravegoodman,untilhewasfifty-threeyearsold;andthen,havingreignedthirtyyears,hedied.Hediedintheyearninehundredandone;but,longagoasthatis,hisfame,andtheloveandgratitudewithwhichhissubjectsregardedhim,arefreshlyrememberedtothepresenthour.
Inthenextreign,whichwasthereignofEDWARD,surnamedTHE
ELDER,whowaschosenincounciltosucceed,anephewofKING
ALFREDtroubledthecountrybytryingtoobtainthethrone.TheDanesintheEastofEnglandtookpartwiththisusurper(perhapsbecausetheyhadhonouredhisunclesomuch,andhonouredhimforhisuncle\'ssake),andtherewashardfighting;but,theKing,withtheassistanceofhissister,gainedtheday,andreignedinpeaceforfourandtwentyyears.HegraduallyextendedhispoweroverthewholeofEngland,andsotheSevenKingdomswereunitedintoone.
WhenEnglandthusbecameonekingdom,ruledoverbyoneSaxonking,theSaxonshadbeensettledinthecountrymorethanfourhundredandfiftyyears.Greatchangeshadtakenplaceinitscustomsduringthattime.TheSaxonswerestillgreedyeatersandgreatdrinkers,andtheirfeastswereoftenofanoisyanddrunkenkind;
butmanynewcomfortsandeveneleganceshadbecomeknown,andwerefastincreasing.Hangingsforthewallsofrooms,where,inthesemoderndays,wepasteuppaper,areknowntohavebeensometimesmadeofsilk,ornamentedwithbirdsandflowersinneedlework.
Tablesandchairswerecuriouslycarvedindifferentwoods;weresometimesdecoratedwithgoldorsilver;sometimesevenmadeofthosepreciousmetals.Knivesandspoonswereusedattable;
goldenornamentswereworn-withsilkandcloth,andgoldentissuesandembroideries;dishesweremadeofgoldandsilver,brassandbone.Therewerevarietiesofdrinking-horns,bedsteads,musicalinstruments.Aharpwaspassedround,atafeast,likethedrinking-bowl,fromguesttoguest;andeachoneusuallysangorplayedwhenhisturncame.TheweaponsoftheSaxonswerestoutlymade,andamongthemwasaterribleironhammerthatgavedeadlyblows,andwaslongremembered.TheSaxonsthemselveswereahandsomepeople.Themenwereproudoftheirlongfairhair,partedontheforehead;theiramplebeards,theirfreshcomplexions,andcleareyes.ThebeautyoftheSaxonwomenfilledallEnglandwithanewdelightandgrace.
IhavemoretotelloftheSaxonsyet,butIstoptosaythisnow,becauseundertheGREATALFRED,allthebestpointsoftheEnglish-
Saxoncharacterwerefirstencouraged,andinhimfirstshown.Ithasbeenthegreatestcharacteramongthenationsoftheearth.
WhereverthedescendantsoftheSaxonracehavegone,havesailed,orotherwisemadetheirway,eventotheremotestregionsoftheworld,theyhavebeenpatient,persevering,nevertobebrokeninspirit,nevertobeturnedasidefromenterprisesonwhichtheyhaveresolved.InEurope,Asia,Africa,America,thewholeworldover;inthedesert,intheforest,onthesea;scorchedbyaburningsun,orfrozenbyicethatnevermelts;theSaxonbloodremainsunchanged.Wheresoeverthatracegoes,there,law,andindustry,andsafetyforlifeandproperty,andallthegreatresultsofsteadyperseverance,arecertaintoarise.
Ipausetothinkwithadmiration,ofthenoblekingwho,inhissingleperson,possessedalltheSaxonvirtues.Whommisfortunecouldnotsubdue,whomprosperitycouldnotspoil,whoseperseverancenothingcouldshake.Whowashopefulindefeat,andgenerousinsuccess.Wholovedjustice,freedom,truth,andknowledge.Who,inhiscaretoinstructhispeople,probablydidmoretopreservethebeautifuloldSaxonlanguage,thanIcanimagine.Withoutwhom,theEnglishtongueinwhichItellthisstorymighthavewantedhalfitsmeaning.AsitissaidthathisspiritstillinspiressomeofourbestEnglishlaws,so,letyouandIpraythatitmayanimateourEnglishhearts,atleasttothis-toresolve,whenweseeanyofourfellow-creaturesleftinignorance,thatwewilldoourbest,whilelifeisinus,tohavethemtaught;andtotellthoserulerswhosedutyitistoteachthem,andwhoneglecttheirduty,thattheyhaveprofitedverylittlebyalltheyearsthathaverolledawaysincetheyearninehundredandone,andthattheyarefarbehindthebrightexampleofKINGALFREDTHEGREAT.
CHAPTERIV-ENGLANDUNDERATHELSTANANDTHESIXBOY-KINGS
ATHELSTAN,thesonofEdwardtheElder,succeededthatking.Hereignedonlyfifteenyears;butherememberedthegloryofhisgrandfather,thegreatAlfred,andgovernedEnglandwell.HereducedtheturbulentpeopleofWales,andobligedthemtopayhimatributeinmoney,andincattle,andtosendhimtheirbesthawksandhounds.HewasvictoriousovertheCornishmen,whowerenotyetquiteundertheSaxongovernment.Herestoredsuchoftheoldlawsasweregood,andhadfallenintodisuse;madesomewisenewlaws,andtookcareofthepoorandweak.Astrongalliance,madeagainsthimbyANLAFaDanishprince,CONSTANTINEKingoftheScots,andthepeopleofNorthWales,hebrokeanddefeatedinonegreatbattle,longfamousforthevastnumbersslaininit.Afterthat,hehadaquietreign;thelordsandladiesabouthimhadleisuretobecomepoliteandagreeable;andforeignprinceswereglad(astheyhavesometimesbeensince)tocometoEnglandonvisitstotheEnglishcourt.
WhenAthelstandied,atforty-sevenyearsold,hisbrotherEDMUND,whowasonlyeighteen,becameking.Hewasthefirstofsixboy-
kings,asyouwillpresentlyknow.
TheycalledhimtheMagnificent,becauseheshowedatasteforimprovementandrefinement.ButhewasbesetbytheDanes,andhadashortandtroubledreign,whichcametoatroubledend.Onenight,whenhewasfeastinginhishall,andhadeatenmuchanddrunkdeep,hesaw,amongthecompany,anotedrobbernamedLEOF,whohadbeenbanishedfromEngland.Madeveryangrybytheboldnessofthisman,theKingturnedtohiscup-bearer,andsaid,\'Thereisarobbersittingatthetableyonder,who,forhiscrimes,isanoutlawintheland-ahuntedwolf,whoselifeanymanmaytake,atanytime.Commandthatrobbertodepart!\'\'I
willnotdepart!\'saidLeof.\'No?\'criedtheKing.\'No,bytheLord!\'saidLeof.UponthattheKingrosefromhisseat,and,makingpassionatelyattherobber,andseizinghimbyhislonghair,triedtothrowhimdown.Buttherobberhadadaggerunderneathhiscloak,and,inthescuffle,stabbedtheKingtodeath.Thatdone,hesethisbackagainstthewall,andfoughtsodesperately,thatalthoughhewassooncuttopiecesbytheKing\'sarmedmen,andthewallandpavementweresplashedwithhisblood,yetitwasnotbeforehehadkilledandwoundedmanyofthem.Youmayimaginewhatroughlivesthekingsofthosetimesled,whenoneofthemcouldstruggle,halfdrunk,withapublicrobberinhisowndining-hall,andbestabbedinpresenceofthecompanywhoateanddrankwithhim.
Thensucceededtheboy-kingEDRED,whowasweakandsicklyinbody,butofastrongmind.AndhisarmiesfoughttheNorthmen,theDanes,andNorwegians,ortheSea-Kings,astheywerecalled,andbeatthemforthetime.And,innineyears,Edreddied,andpassedaway.
Thencametheboy-kingEDWY,fifteenyearsofage;buttherealking,whohadtherealpower,wasamonknamedDUNSTAN-acleverpriest,alittlemad,andnotalittleproudandcruel.
DunstanwasthenAbbotofGlastonburyAbbey,whitherthebodyofKingEdmundtheMagnificentwascarried,tobeburied.Whileyetaboy,hehadgotoutofhisbedonenight(beingtheninafever),andwalkedaboutGlastonburyChurchwhenitwasunderrepair;and,becausehedidnottumbleoffsomescaffoldsthatwerethere,andbreakhisneck,itwasreportedthathehadbeenshownoverthebuildingbyanangel.Hehadalsomadeaharpthatwassaidtoplayofitself-whichitverylikelydid,asAEolianHarps,whichareplayedbythewind,andareunderstoodnow,alwaysdo.Forthesewondershehadbeenoncedenouncedbyhisenemies,whowerejealousofhisfavourwiththelateKingAthelstan,asamagician;
andhehadbeenwaylaid,boundhandandfoot,andthrownintoamarsh.Buthegotoutagain,somehow,tocauseagreatdealoftroubleyet.
Thepriestsofthosedayswere,generally,theonlyscholars.Theywerelearnedinmanythings.HavingtomaketheirownconventsandmonasteriesonuncultivatedgroundsthatweregrantedtothembytheCrown,itwasnecessarythattheyshouldbegoodfarmersandgoodgardeners,ortheirlandswouldhavebeentoopoortosupportthem.Forthedecorationofthechapelswheretheyprayed,andforthecomfortoftherefectorieswheretheyateanddrank,itwasnecessarythatthereshouldbegoodcarpenters,goodsmiths,goodpainters,amongthem.Fortheirgreatersafetyinsicknessandaccident,livingalonebythemselvesinsolitaryplaces,itwasnecessarythattheyshouldstudythevirtuesofplantsandherbs,andshouldknowhowtodresscuts,burns,scalds,andbruises,andhowtosetbrokenlimbs.Accordingly,theytaughtthemselves,andoneanother,agreatvarietyofusefularts;andbecameskilfulinagriculture,medicine,surgery,andhandicraft.Andwhentheywantedtheaidofanylittlepieceofmachinery,whichwouldbesimpleenoughnow,butwasmarvellousthen,toimposeatrickuponthepoorpeasants,theyknewverywellhowtomakeit;andDIDmakeitmanyatimeandoften,Ihavenodoubt.
Dunstan,AbbotofGlastonburyAbbey,wasoneofthemostsagaciousofthesemonks.Hewasaningenioussmith,andworkedataforgeinalittlecell.Thiscellwasmadetooshorttoadmitofhislyingatfulllengthwhenhewenttosleep-asifTHATdidanygoodtoanybody!-andheusedtotellthemostextraordinaryliesaboutdemonsandspirits,who,hesaid,cametheretopersecutehim.Forinstance,herelatedthatonedaywhenhewasatwork,thedevillookedinatthelittlewindow,andtriedtotempthimtoleadalifeofidlepleasure;whereupon,havinghispincersinthefire,redhot,heseizedthedevilbythenose,andputhimtosuchpain,thathisbellowingswereheardformilesandmiles.SomepeopleareinclinedtothinkthisnonsenseapartofDunstan\'smadness(forhisheadneverquiterecoveredthefever),butIthinknot.Iobservethatitinducedtheignorantpeopletoconsiderhimaholyman,andthatitmadehimverypowerful.Whichwasexactlywhathealwayswanted.
Onthedayofthecoronationofthehandsomeboy-kingEdwy,itwasremarkedbyODO,ArchbishopofCanterbury(whowasaDanebybirth),thattheKingquietlyleftthecoronationfeast,whileallthecompanywerethere.Odo,muchdispleased,senthisfriendDunstantoseekhim.DunstanfindinghiminthecompanyofhisbeautifulyoungwifeELGIVA,andhermotherETHELGIVA,agoodandvirtuouslady,notonlygrosslyabusedthem,butdraggedtheyoungKingbackintothefeasting-hallbyforce.Some,again,thinkDunstandidthisbecausetheyoungKing\'sfairwifewashisowncousin,andthemonksobjectedtopeoplemarryingtheirowncousins;butIbelievehedidit,becausehewasanimperious,audacious,ill-conditionedpriest,who,havinglovedayoungladyhimselfbeforehebecameasourmonk,hatedalllovenow,andeverythingbelongingtoit.
TheyoungKingwasquiteoldenoughtofeelthisinsult.DunstanhadbeenTreasurerinthelastreign,andhesoonchargedDunstanwithhavingtakensomeofthelastking\'smoney.TheGlastonburyAbbotfledtoBelgium(verynarrowlyescapingsomepursuerswhoweresenttoputouthiseyes,asyouwillwishtheyhad,whenyoureadwhatfollows),andhisabbeywasgiventopriestswhoweremarried;whomhealways,bothbeforeandafterwards,opposed.Buthequicklyconspiredwithhisfriend,OdotheDane,tosetuptheKing\'syoungbrother,EDGAR,ashisrivalforthethrone;and,notcontentwiththisrevenge,hecausedthebeautifulqueenElgiva,thoughalovelygirlofonlyseventeenoreighteen,tobestolenfromoneoftheRoyalPalaces,brandedinthecheekwithared-hotiron,andsoldintoslaveryinIreland.ButtheIrishpeoplepitiedandbefriendedher;andtheysaid,\'Letusrestorethegirl-
queentotheboy-king,andmaketheyounglovershappy!\'andtheycuredherofhercruelwound,andsentherhomeasbeautifulasbefore.ButthevillainDunstan,andthatothervillain,Odo,causedhertobewaylaidatGloucesterasshewasjoyfullyhurryingtojoinherhusband,andtobehackedandhewnwithswords,andtobebarbarouslymaimedandlamed,andlefttodie.WhenEdwytheFair(hispeoplecalledhimso,becausehewassoyoungandhandsome)heardofherdreadfulfate,hediedofabrokenheart;
andsothepitifulstoryofthepooryoungwifeandhusbandends!
Ah!Bettertobetwocottagersinthesebettertimes,thankingandqueenofEnglandinthosebaddays,thoughneversofair!
Thencametheboy-king,EDGAR,calledthePeaceful,fifteenyearsold.Dunstan,beingstilltherealking,droveallmarriedpriestsoutofthemonasteriesandabbeys,andreplacedthembysolitarymonkslikehimself,oftherigidordercalledtheBenedictines.HemadehimselfArchbishopofCanterbury,forhisgreaterglory;andexercisedsuchpowerovertheneighbouringBritishprinces,andsocollectedthemabouttheKing,thatonce,whentheKingheldhiscourtatChester,andwentontheriverDeetovisitthemonasteryofSt.John,theeightoarsofhisboatwerepulled(asthepeopleusedtodelightinrelatinginstoriesandsongs)byeightcrownedkings,andsteeredbytheKingofEngland.AsEdgarwasveryobedienttoDunstanandthemonks,theytookgreatpainstorepresenthimasthebestofkings.Buthewasreallyprofligate,debauched,andvicious.HeonceforciblycarriedoffayoungladyfromtheconventatWilton;andDunstan,pretendingtobeverymuchshocked,condemnedhimnottowearhiscrownuponhisheadforsevenyears-nogreatpunishment,Idaresay,asitcanhardlyhavebeenamorecomfortableornamenttowear,thanastewpanwithoutahandle.Hismarriagewithhissecondwife,ELFRIDA,isoneoftheworsteventsofhisreign.Hearingofthebeautyofthislady,hedespatchedhisfavouritecourtier,ATHELWOLD,toherfather\'scastleinDevonshire,toseeifshewerereallyascharmingasfamereported.Now,shewassoexceedinglybeautifulthatAthelwoldfellinlovewithherhimself,andmarriedher;buthetoldtheKingthatshewasonlyrich-nothandsome.TheKing,suspectingthetruthwhentheycamehome,resolvedtopaythenewly-marriedcoupleavisit;and,suddenly,toldAthelwoldtoprepareforhisimmediatecoming.Athelwold,terrified,confessedtohisyoungwifewhathehadsaidanddone,andimploredhertodisguiseherbeautybysomeuglydressorsillymanner,thathemightbesafefromtheKing\'sanger.Shepromisedthatshewould;
butshewasaproudwoman,whowouldfarratherhavebeenaqueenthanthewifeofacourtier.Shedressedherselfinherbestdress,andadornedherselfwithherrichestjewels;andwhentheKingcame,presently,hediscoveredthecheat.So,hecausedhisfalsefriend,Athelwold,tobemurderedinawood,andmarriedhiswidow,thisbadElfrida.Sixorsevenyearsafterwards,hedied;
andwasburied,asifhehadbeenallthatthemonkssaidhewas,intheabbeyofGlastonbury,whichhe-orDunstanforhim-hadmuchenriched.
England,inonepartofthisreign,wassotroubledbywolves,which,drivenoutoftheopencountry,hidthemselvesinthemountainsofWaleswhentheywerenotattackingtravellersandanimals,thatthetributepayablebytheWelshpeoplewasforgiventhem,onconditionoftheirproducing,everyyear,threehundredwolves\'heads.AndtheWelshmenweresosharpuponthewolves,tosavetheirmoney,thatinfouryearstherewasnotawolfleft.
Thencametheboy-king,EDWARD,calledtheMartyr,fromthemannerofhisdeath.Elfridahadason,namedETHELRED,forwhomsheclaimedthethrone;butDunstandidnotchoosetofavourhim,andhemadeEdwardking.Theboywashunting,oneday,downinDorsetshire,whenherodeneartoCorfeCastle,whereElfridaandEthelredlived.Wishingtoseethemkindly,herodeawayfromhisattendantsandgallopedtothecastlegate,wherehearrivedattwilight,andblewhishunting-horn.\'Youarewelcome,dearKing,\'
saidElfrida,comingout,withherbrightestsmiles.\'Prayyoudismountandenter.\'\'Notso,dearmadam,\'saidtheKing.\'Mycompanywillmissme,andfearthatIhavemetwithsomeharm.
Pleaseyoutogivemeacupofwine,thatImaydrinkhere,inthesaddle,toyouandtomylittlebrother,andsorideawaywiththegoodspeedIhavemadeinridinghere.\'Elfrida,goingintobringthewine,whisperedanarmedservant,oneofherattendants,whostoleoutofthedarkeninggateway,andcreptroundbehindtheKing\'shorse.AstheKingraisedthecuptohislips,saying,\'Health!\'tothewickedwomanwhowassmilingonhim,andtohisinnocentbrotherwhosehandsheheldinhers,andwhowasonlytenyearsold,thisarmedmanmadeaspringandstabbedhimintheback.Hedroppedthecupandspurredhishorseaway;but,soonfaintingwithlossofblood,droppedfromthesaddle,and,inhisfall,entangledoneofhisfeetinthestirrup.Thefrightenedhorsedashedon;trailinghisrider\'scurlsupontheground;
dragginghissmoothyoungfacethroughruts,andstones,andbriers,andfallenleaves,andmud;untilthehunters,trackingtheanimal\'scoursebytheKing\'sblood,caughthisbridle,andreleasedthedisfiguredbody.
Thencamethesixthandlastoftheboy-kings,ETHELRED,whomElfrida,whenhecriedoutatthesightofhismurderedbrotherridingawayfromthecastlegate,unmercifullybeatwithatorchwhichshesnatchedfromoneoftheattendants.Thepeoplesodislikedthisboy,onaccountofhiscruelmotherandthemurdershehaddonetopromotehim,thatDunstanwouldnothavehadhimforking,butwouldhavemadeEDGITHA,thedaughterofthedeadKingEdgar,andoftheladywhomhestoleoutoftheconventatWilton,QueenofEngland,ifshewouldhaveconsented.Butsheknewthestoriesoftheyouthfulkingstoowell,andwouldnotbepersuadedfromtheconventwhereshelivedinpeace;so,DunstanputEthelredonthethrone,havingnooneelsetoputthere,andgavehimthenicknameofTHEUNREADY-knowingthathewantedresolutionandfirmness.
Atfirst,ElfridapossessedgreatinfluenceovertheyoungKing,but,ashegrewolderandcameofage,herinfluencedeclined.Theinfamouswoman,nothavingitinherpowertodoanymoreevil,thenretiredfromcourt,and,according,tothefashionofthetime,builtchurchesandmonasteries,toexpiateherguilt.Asifachurch,withasteeplereachingtotheverystars,wouldhavebeenanysignoftruerepentanceforthebloodofthepoorboy,whosemurderedformwastrailedathishorse\'sheels!Asifshecouldhaveburiedherwickednessbeneaththesenselessstonesofthewholeworld,pileduponeuponanother,forthemonkstolivein!
Abouttheninthortenthyearofthisreign,Dunstandied.Hewasgrowingoldthen,butwasassternandartfulasever.Twocircumstancesthathappenedinconnexionwithhim,inthisreignofEthelred,madeagreatnoise.Once,hewaspresentatameetingoftheChurch,whenthequestionwasdiscussedwhetherpriestsshouldhavepermissiontomarry;and,ashesatwithhisheadhungdown,apparentlythinkingaboutit,avoiceseemedtocomeoutofacrucifixintheroom,andwarnthemeetingtobeofhisopinion.
ThiswassomejugglingofDunstan\'s,andwasprobablyhisownvoicedisguised.Butheplayedoffaworsejugglethanthat,soonafterwards;for,anothermeetingbeingheldonthesamesubject,andheandhissupportersbeingseatedononesideofagreatroom,andtheiropponentsontheother,heroseandsaid,\'ToChristhimself,asjudge,doIcommitthiscause!\'Immediatelyonthesewordsbeingspoken,thefloorwheretheoppositepartysatgaveway,andsomewerekilledandmanywounded.YoumaybeprettysurethatithadbeenweakenedunderDunstan\'sdirection,andthatitfellatDunstan\'ssignal.HISpartofthefloordidnotgodown.
No,no.Hewastoogoodaworkmanforthat.
Whenhedied,themonkssettledthathewasaSaint,andcalledhimSaintDunstaneverafterwards.Theymightjustaswellhavesettledthathewasacoach-horse,andcouldjustaseasilyhavecalledhimone.
EthelredtheUnreadywasgladenough,Idaresay,toberidofthisholysaint;but,lefttohimself,hewasapoorweakking,andhisreignwasareignofdefeatandshame.TherestlessDanes,ledbySWEYN,asonoftheKingofDenmarkwhohadquarrelledwithhisfatherandhadbeenbanishedfromhome,againcameintoEngland,and,yearafteryear,attackedanddespoiledlargetowns.Tocoaxthesesea-kingsaway,theweakEthelredpaidthemmoney;but,themoremoneyhepaid,themoremoneytheDaneswanted.Atfirst,hegavethemtenthousandpounds;ontheirnextinvasion,sixteenthousandpounds;ontheirnextinvasion,fourandtwentythousandpounds:topaywhichlargesums,theunfortunateEnglishpeoplewereheavilytaxed.But,astheDanesstillcamebackandwantedmore,hethoughtitwouldbeagoodplantomarryintosomepowerfulforeignfamilythatwouldhelphimwithsoldiers.So,intheyearonethousandandtwo,hecourtedandmarriedEmma,thesisterofRichardDukeofNormandy;aladywhowascalledtheFlowerofNormandy.
Andnow,aterribledeedwasdoneinEngland,thelikeofwhichwasneverdoneonEnglishgroundbeforeorsince.OnthethirteenthofNovember,inpursuanceofsecretinstructionssentbytheKingoverthewholecountry,theinhabitantsofeverytownandcityarmed,andmurderedalltheDaneswhoweretheirneighbours.
Youngandold,babiesandsoldiers,menandwomen,everyDanewaskilled.NodoubttherewereamongthemmanyferociousmenwhohaddonetheEnglishgreatwrong,andwhoseprideandinsolence,inswaggeringinthehousesoftheEnglishandinsultingtheirwivesanddaughters,hadbecomeunbearable;butnodoubttherewerealsoamongthemmanypeacefulChristianDaneswhohadmarriedEnglishwomenandbecomelikeEnglishmen.Theywereallslain,eventoGUNHILDA,thesisteroftheKingofDenmark,marriedtoanEnglishlord;whowasfirstobligedtoseethemurderofherhusbandandherchild,andthenwaskilledherself.
WhentheKingofthesea-kingsheardofthisdeedofblood,hesworethathewouldhaveagreatrevenge.Heraisedanarmy,andamightierfleetofshipsthaneveryethadsailedtoEngland;andinallhisarmytherewasnotaslaveoranoldman,buteverysoldierwasafreeman,andthesonofafreeman,andintheprimeoflife,andsworntoberevengedupontheEnglishnation,forthemassacreofthatdreadthirteenthofNovember,whenhiscountrymenandcountrywomen,andthelittlechildrenwhomtheyloved,werekilledwithfireandsword.Andso,thesea-kingscametoEnglandinmanygreatships,eachbearingtheflagofitsowncommander.
Goldeneagles,ravens,dragons,dolphins,beastsofprey,threatenedEnglandfromtheprowsofthoseships,astheycameonwardthroughthewater;andwerereflectedintheshiningshieldsthathungupontheirsides.TheshipthatborethestandardoftheKingofthesea-kingswascarvedandpaintedlikeamightyserpent;
andtheKinginhisangerprayedthattheGodsinwhomhetrustedmightalldeserthim,ifhisserpentdidnotstrikeitsfangsintoEngland\'sheart.
Andindeeditdid.For,thegreatarmylandingfromthegreatfleet,nearExeter,wentforward,layingEnglandwaste,andstrikingtheirlancesintheearthastheyadvanced,orthrowingthemintorivers,intokenoftheirmakingalltheislandtheirs.
InremembranceoftheblackNovembernightwhentheDanesweremurdered,wheresoevertheinvaderscame,theymadetheSaxonsprepareandspreadforthemgreatfeasts;andwhentheyhadeatenthosefeasts,andhaddrunkacursetoEnglandwithwildrejoicings,theydrewtheirswords,andkilledtheirSaxonentertainers,andmarchedon.Forsixlongyearstheycarriedonthiswar:burningthecrops,farmhouses,barns,mills,granaries;
killingthelabourersinthefields;preventingtheseedfrombeingsownintheground;causingfamineandstarvation;leavingonlyheapsofruinandsmokingashes,wheretheyhadfoundrichtowns.
Tocrownthismisery,Englishofficersandmendeserted,andeventhefavouritesofEthelredtheUnready,becomingtraitors,seizedmanyoftheEnglishships,turnedpiratesagainsttheirowncountry,andaidedbyastormoccasionedthelossofnearlythewholeEnglishnavy.
Therewasbutonemanofnote,atthismiserablepass,whowastruetohiscountryandthefeebleKing.Hewasapriest,andabraveone.Fortwentydays,theArchbishopofCanterburydefendedthatcityagainstitsDanishbesiegers;andwhenatraitorinthetownthrewthegatesopenandadmittedthem,hesaid,inchains,\'Iwillnotbuymylifewithmoneythatmustbeextortedfromthesufferingpeople.Dowithmewhatyouplease!\'Againandagain,hesteadilyrefusedtopurchasehisreleasewithgoldwrungfromthepoor.
Atlast,theDanesbeingtiredofthis,andbeingassembledatadrunkenmerry-making,hadhimbroughtintothefeasting-hall.
\'Now,bishop,\'theysaid,\'wewantgold!\'
Helookedroundonthecrowdofangryfaces;fromtheshaggybeardsclosetohim,totheshaggybeardsagainstthewalls,wheremenweremountedontablesandformstoseehimovertheheadsofothers:andheknewthathistimewascome.
\'Ihavenogold,\'hesaid.
\'Getit,bishop!\'theyallthundered.
\'That,IhaveoftentoldyouIwillnot,\'saidhe.
Theygatheredcloserroundhim,threatening,buthestoodunmoved.
Then,onemanstruckhim;then,another;thenacursingsoldierpickedupfromaheapinacornerofthehall,wherefragmentshadbeenrudelythrownatdinner,agreatox-bone,andcastitathisface,fromwhichthebloodcamespurtingforth;then,othersrantothesameheap,andknockedhimdownwithotherbones,andbruisedandbatteredhim;untilonesoldierwhomhehadbaptised(willing,asIhopeforthesakeofthatsoldier\'ssoul,toshortenthesufferingsofthegoodman)struckhimdeadwithhisbattle-axe.
IfEthelredhadhadthehearttoemulatethecourageofthisnoblearchbishop,hemighthavedonesomethingyet.ButhepaidtheDanesforty-eightthousandpounds,instead,andgainedsolittlebythecowardlyact,thatSweynsoonafterwardscameovertosubdueallEngland.SobrokenwastheattachmentoftheEnglishpeople,bythistime,totheirincapableKingandtheirforlorncountrywhichcouldnotprotectthem,thattheywelcomedSweynonallsides,asadeliverer.Londonfaithfullystoodout,aslongastheKingwaswithinitswalls;but,whenhesneakedaway,italsowelcomedtheDane.Then,allwasover;andtheKingtookrefugeabroadwiththeDukeofNormandy,whohadalreadygivensheltertotheKing\'swife,oncetheFlowerofthatcountry,andtoherchildren.
Still,theEnglishpeople,inspiteoftheirsadsufferings,couldnotquiteforgetthegreatKingAlfredandtheSaxonrace.WhenSweyndiedsuddenly,inlittlemorethanamonthafterhehadbeenproclaimedKingofEngland,theygenerouslysenttoEthelred,tosaythattheywouldhavehimfortheirKingagain,\'ifhewouldonlygovernthembetterthanhehadgovernedthembefore.\'TheUnready,insteadofcominghimself,sentEdward,oneofhissons,tomakepromisesforhim.Atlast,hefollowed,andtheEnglishdeclaredhimKing.TheDanesdeclaredCANUTE,thesonofSweyn,King.Thus,direfulwarbeganagain,andlastedforthreeyears,whentheUnreadydied.AndIknowofnothingbetterthathedid,inallhisreignofeightandthirtyyears.
WasCanutetobeKingnow?NotovertheSaxons,theysaid;theymusthaveEDMUND,oneofthesonsoftheUnready,whowassurnamedIRONSIDE,becauseofhisstrengthandstature.EdmundandCanutethereuponfellto,andfoughtfivebattles-OunhappyEngland,whatafighting-grounditwas!-andthenIronside,whowasabigman,proposedtoCanute,whowasalittleman,thattheytwoshouldfightitoutinsinglecombat.IfCanutehadbeenthebigman,hewouldprobablyhavesaidyes,but,beingthelittleman,hedecidedlysaidno.However,hedeclaredthathewaswillingtodividethekingdom-totakeallthatlaynorthofWatlingStreet,astheoldRomanmilitaryroadfromDovertoChesterwascalled,andtogiveIronsideallthatlaysouthofit.Mostmenbeingwearyofsomuchbloodshed,thiswasdone.ButCanutesoonbecamesoleKingofEngland;forIronsidediedsuddenlywithintwomonths.
