Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of England (6 of 8): The Sixt Booke of the Historie of EnglandHolinshed, Raphael
History
Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of England (6 of 8): The Sixt Booke of the Historie of England
Holinshed, Raphael
Great Britain -- History -- Anglo-Saxon period, 449-1066
Thus haue the Scotish chronicles recorded of these matters, as an
induction to the warres which followed betwixt the Scots and Danes as
confederates against king Adelstane: but the truth thereof we leaue to
the readers owne iudgement. For in our English writers we find no such
matter, but that a daughter of king Edward named Edgitha or Editha,
after hir fathers deceasse was by hir brother king Adelstane, about
the first yéere of his reigne, giuen in mariage (as before ye haue
heard) vnto the foresaid Sithrike king of Northumberland, that was
descended of the Danish bloud, who for the loue of the yoong ladie,
renounced his heathenish religion and became a christian; but shortlie
after, forsaking both his wife and the christian faith, he set vp
againe the worshipping of idols, and within a while after, as an
apostata miserablie ended his life. Whervpon the yoong ladie, hir
[Sidenote: Editha a virgine.]
virginitie being preserued, and hir bodie vndefiled (as they write)
passed the residue of hir daies at Polleswoorth in Warwikeshire,
spending hir time (as the same writers affirme) in fasting, watching,
praieng, and dooing of almesdéedes, and so at length departed out of
this world. Thus our writers differ from the Scotish historie, both in
name and maner of end as concerning the daughter of king Edward that
was coupled in mariage with Sithrike.
* * * * *
_Adelstane subdueth Constantine king of Scots, Howell king of Wales,
and Wulferth king of Northwales, the Scots possesse a great part of
the north countries, Adelstane conquereth the Scots for aiding Godfrie
his enimie; a miracle declaring that the Scots ought to obey the king
of England; king Adelstane banisheth his brother Edwin, he is for a
conspiracie drowned in the sea, Adelstane repenteth him of his rigour
(in respect of that misfortune) against his brother; Aulafe sometimes
king of Northumberland inuadeth England, he disguiseth himselfe like
a minstrell and surueieth the English campe unsuspected, he is
discouered after his departure, be assaileth the English campe,
Adelstane being comforted with a miracle discomfiteth his enimies, he
maketh them of Northwales his tributaries, be subdueth the Cornishmen,
his death; the description of his person, his vertues, of what abbeis
& monasteries he was founder, his estimation in forren realmes,
what pretious presents were sent him from other princes, and how he
bestowed them; a remembrance of Guy the erle of Warwike._
THE XX. CHAPTER.
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