[Sidenote: HAROLD. _Matth. West._ _Wil. Malm._]
After that Cnute was departed this life, there arose much variance
amongst the peeres and great lords of the realme about the succession.
The Danes and Londoners (which through continuall familiaritie with
the Danes, were become like vnto them) elected Harold the base
[Sidenote: Controuersie for the crowne.]
sonne of king Cnute, to succÈed in his fathers roome, hauing earle
Leofrike, and diuerse other of the noble men of the north parts on
their side. But other of the Englishmen, and namelie earle Goodwine
earle of Kent, with the chiefest lords of the west parts, coueted
rather to haue one of king Egelreds sonnes, which were in Normandie,
[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._]
or else Hardicnute the sonne of king Cnute by his wife quÈene
Emma, which remained in Denmarke, aduanced to the place. This
[Sidenote: The realme diuided betwixt Harold and Hardicnute.]
controuersie held in such wise, that the realme was diuided (as some
write) by lot betwixt the two brethren Harold and Hardicnute. The
north part, as Mercia and Northumberland fell to Harold, and the south
part vnto Hardicnute: but at length the whole remained vnto Harold,
bicause his brother Hardicnute refused to come out of Denmarke to take
the gouernment vpon him.
[Sidenote: The authoritie of earle Goodwine. _H. Hunt._]
But yet the authoritie of earle Goodwine, who had the queene
and the treasure of the realme in his kÈeping, staied the matter a
certeine time, (professing himselfe as it were gardian to the yoong
men, the sonnes of the quÈene, till at length he was constreined to
giue ouer his hold, and conforme himselfe to the stronger part and
greater number.) And so at Oxford, where the assemblie was holden
about the election, Harold was proclaimed king, and consecrated
[Sidenote: The refusall of the archbishop Elnothus to consecrate king
Harold.]
according to the maner (as some write.) But it should appeere by
other, that Elnothus the archbishop of Canturburie, a man indued with
all vertue and wisedome, refused to crowne him: for when king Harold
being elected of the nobles and pÈeres, required the said archbishop
that he might be of him consecrated, and receiue at his hands the
regall scepter with the crowne, which the archbishop had in his
custodie, and to whome it onelie did apperteine to inuest him
therewith, the archbishop flatlie refused, and with an oth protested,
that he would not consecrate anie other for king, so long as the
quÈenes children liued: "for (saith he) Cnute committed them to my
trust and assurance, and to them will I kÈepe my faith and loiall
obedience. The scepter and crowne I hÈere lay downe vpon the altar,
and neither doo I denie nor deliuer them vnto you: but I forbid by the
apostolike authoritie all the bishops, that none of them presume to
take the same awaie, and deliuer them to you, or consecrate you for
king. As for your selfe, if you dare, you maie vsurpe that which I
haue committed vnto God and his table."
But whether afterwards the king by one meane or other, caused the
archbishop to crowne him king, or that he was consecrated of some
other, he was admitted king of all the English people, beginning
[Sidenote: 1036.]
his reigne in the yÈere of our Lord a thousand thirtie and six, in the
fouretenth yÈere of the emperor Conrad the second, in the sixt yÈere
of Henrie the first, king of France, and about the seuen and twentith
yÈere of Malcolme the second, king of Scots. This Harold for his
[Sidenote: Harold why he is surnamed Harefoot.]
great swiftnesse, was surnamed Harefoot, of whome little is written
touching his dooings, sauing that he is noted to haue bÈene an
oppressor of his people, and spotted with manie notable vices. It
[Sidenote: Harold euill spoken of. _Ran. Higd._ _ex Mariano_.]
was spoken of diuerse in those daies, that this Harold was not the
sonne of Cnute, but of a shoomaker, and that his supposed mother
Elgina, king Cnutes concubine, to bring the king further in loue with
hir, feined that she was with child: and about the time that she
should be brought to bed (as she made hir account) caused the said
shoemakers son to be secretlie brought into hir chamber, and then
vntrulie caused it to be reported that she was deliuered, and the
child so reputed to be the kings sonne.
[Sidenote: _Matth. West._]
Immediatlie vpon aduertisement had of Cnutes death, Alfred the
sonne of king Egelred, with fiftie saile landed at Sandwich, meaning
to challenge the crowne, and to obteine it by lawfull claime with
quietnesse, if he might; if not, then to vse force by aid of his
friends, and to assaie that waie foorth to win it, if he might not
otherwise obteine it. From Sandwich he came to Canturburie: and
shortlie after, earle Goodwine feining to receiue him as a friend,
came to meet him, and at Gilford in the night season appointed a
number of armed men to fall vpon the Normans as they were aslÈepe, and
so tooke them togither with Alfred, & slue the Normans by the poll,
in such wise that nine were shine, & the tenth reserued. But yet when
those that were reserued, seemed to him a greater number than he
wished to escape, he fell to and againe tithed them as before. Alfred
had his eies put out, and was conueied to the Ile of Elie, where
shortlie after he died.
[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._]
∂ How Alfred should claime the crowne to himselfe I sÈe not: for
verelie I can not be persuaded that he was the elder brother, though
diuers authors haue so written, sith Gemeticensis, & the author of the
booke called "Encomium EmmÊ," plainlie affirme, that Edward was the
elder: but it might be, that Alfred being a man of a stouter stomach
[Sidenote: SÈe maister _Fox_ acts and monuments, pag. 112. _Simon Dun._]
than his brother Edward, made this attempt, either for himselfe,
or in the behalfe of his brother Edward, being as then absent, and
gone into Hungarie, as some write: but other say, that as well Edward
as Alfred came ouer at this time with a number of Norman knights, and
men of warre imbarked in a few ships, onelie to speake with their
mother, who as then lay at Winchester, whether to take aduise with hir
how to recouer their right heere in this land, or to aduance their
brother Hardicnute, or for some other purpose, our authors doo not
declare.
But the lords of the realme that bare their good wils vnto Harold,
and (though contrarie to right) ment to mainteine him in the estate,
seemed to be much offended with the comming of these two brethren
in such order: for earle Goodwine persuaded them, that it was great
danger to suffer so manie strangers to enter the realme, as they had
brought with them. Wherevpon earle Goodwine with the assent of the
other lords, or rather by commandement of Harold, went foorth, and at
Gilford met with Alfred that was comming towards king Harold to speake
with him, accordinglie as he was of Harold required to doo. But now
being taken, and his companie miserablie murthered (as before ye haue
heard) to the number of six hundred Normans, Alfred himselfe was sent
into the Ile of Elie, there to remaine in the abbeie in custodie of
the moonks, hauing his eies put out as soone as he entered first into
the same Ile. William Malmesburie saith, that Alfred came ouer, and
was thus handeled betwixt the time of Harolds death, & the comming
in of Hardicnute. Others write, that this chanced in his brother
Hardicnuts daies, which sÈemeth not to be true: for Hardicnute was
knowne to loue his brethren by his mothers side too dearelie to haue
suffered anie such iniurie to be wrought against either of them in his
time.
∂ Thus ye sÈe how writers dissent in this matter, but for the better
clearing of the truth touching the time, I haue thought good to shew
also what the author of the said booke intituled "Encomium EmmÊ"
writeth hereof, which is as followeth. When Harold was once
established king, he sought meanes how to rid quÈene Emma out of the
way, and that secretlie, for that openlie as yet he durst not attempt
anie thing against hir. She in silence kept hir selfe quiet, looking
for the end of these things. But Harold remembring himselfe, of a
malicious purpose, by wicked aduise tooke counsell how he might get
into his hands and make away the sons of quÈene Emma, & so to be out
of danger of all annoiance that by them might be procured against him.
Wherefore he caused a letter to be written in the name of their
[Sidenote: A counterfet letter.]
mother Emma, which he sent by certeine messengers suborned for the
same purpose into Normandie, where Edward and Alfred as then remained.
The tenour of which letter here insueth.
_The tenour of a letter forged and sent in queene Emmas name to hir
two sonnes_.
"Emma tant˘m nomine regina filijs Edwardo & Alfredo materna impertit
salutamina. D[=u] domini nostri regis obitum separatim plangimus
(filij charissimi) d˙mq; dietim magis magisque regno hÊreditatis
vestrÊ priuamini, miror quid captetis consilij, dum sciatis
intermissionis vestrÊ dilatione inuasoris vestri imperij fieri
quotidiË soliditat[=e]. Is enim incessanter vicos & vrbes circuit, &
sibi amicos principes muneribus, minis, & precibus facit: sed vnum
Ë vobis super se mallent regnare qu‡m istius (qui nunc ijs imperat)
teneri ditione. Vnde rogo vnus vestrum ad me velociter & priuatË
veniat, vt salubre ‡ me consilium accipiat, & sciat quo pacto hoc
negotium quod volo fieri debeat, per prÊsentem quÛque internuncium
quid super his facturi estis remandate. Valete cordis mei viscera."
_The same in English_.
"Emma in name onelie queene to hir sons Edward and Alfred sendeth
motherlie greeting. Whilest we separatelie bewaile the death of our
souereigne lord the king (most deare sonnes) and whilest you
are euerie day more and more depriued from the kingdome of your
inheritance, I maruell what you doo determine, sith you know by the
delay of your ceassing to make some enterprise, the grounded force
of the vsurper of your kingdom is dailie made the stronger. For
incessantlie he goeth from towne to towne, from citie to citie, and
maketh the lords his friends by rewards, threats, and praiers, but
they had rather haue one of you to reigne ouer them, than to be kept
vnder the rule of this man that now gouerneth them. Wherefore my
request is, that one of you doo come with speed, and that priuilie
ouer to me, that he may vnderstand my wholesome aduise, and know in
what sort this matter ought to be handled, which I would haue to go
forward, and see that ye send mee word by this present messenger what
you meane to doo herein. Fare ye well euen the bowels of my heart."
These letters were deliuered vnto such as were made priuie to the
purposed treason, who being fullie instructed how to deale, went ouer
into Normandie, and presenting the letters vnto the yoong gentlemen,
vsed the matter so, that they thought verelie that this message had
bÈene sent from their mother, and wrote againe by them that brought
the letters, that one of them would not faile but come ouer vnto hir
according to that she had requested, and withall appointed the day and
time. The messengers returning to king Harold, informed him how they
had sped. The yoonger brother Alfred, with his brothers consent, tooke
with him a certeine number of gentlemen and men of warre, and first
came into Flanders, where after he had remained a while with earle
Baldwine, he increased his retinue with a few Bullogners, and passed
ouer into England, but approching to the shore, he was streightwaies
descried by his enimies, who hasted foorth to set vpon him; but
perceiuing their drift, he bad the ships cast about, and make againe
to the sea; then landing at an other place, he ment to go the next way
to his mother.
[Sidenote: Godwin was suspected to do this vnder a colour to betray
him as by writers it sÈemeth.]
But earle Goodwine hearing of his arriuall, met him, receiued
him into his assurance, and binding his credit with a corporall oth,
became his man, and therwith leading him out of the high way that
leadeth to London, he brought him to Gilford, where he lodged all the
strangers, by a score, a doozen, and halfe a score togither in innes,
so as but a few remained about the yoong gentleman Alfred to attend
vpon him. There was plentie of meat and drinke prepared in euerie
lodging, for the refreshing of all the companie. And Goodwine taking
his leaue for that night, departed to his lodging, promising the next
morning to come againe to giue his dutifull attendance on Alfred.
But behold, after they had filled themselues with meats and drinks,
[Sidenote: Not onelie Goodwine but other such as king Harold appointed,
took Alfred with his Normans.]
and were gone to bed, in the dead of the night came such as king
Harold had appointed, and entring into euerie inne, first seized vpon
the armor and weapons that belonged to the strangers: which done,
they tooke them, and chained them fast with fetters and manacles, so
kÈeping them sure till the next morning. Which being come, they
were brought foorth with their hands bound behind their backs, and
deliuered to most cruell tormentors, who were commanded to spare none
but euerie tenth man, as he came to hand by lot, and so they slue nine
and left the tenth aliue. Of those that were left aliue, some they
kept to serue as bondmen, other for couetousnesse of gaine they sold,
and some they put in prison, of whome yet diuerse afterwards escaped.
This with more hath the foresaid author written of this matter,
declaring further, that Alfred being conueied into the Ile of Elie,
had not onelie his eies put out in most cruell wise, but was also
presentlie there murthered. But he speaketh not further of the maner
how he was made away, sauing that he saith he forbeareth to make long
recitall of this matter, bicause he will not renew the mothers grÈefe
in hearing it, sith there can be no greater sorrow to the mother than
to heare of hir sonnes death.
∂ I remember in Caxton we read, that his cruell tormentors should
cause his bellie to be opened, & taking out one end of his bowels or
guts, tied the same to a stake which they had set fast in the ground;
then with nÈedels of iron pricking his bodie, they caused him to run
about the stake, till he had woond out all his intrailes, & so ended
he his innocent life, to the great shame & obloquie of his cruel
aduersaries. But whether he was thus tormented or not, or rather died
(as I thinke) of the anguish by putting out his eies, no doubt but his
death was reuenged by Gods hand in those that procured it. But whether
erle Goodwine was chÈefe causer thereof, in betraieng him vnder a
cloked colour of pretended frÈendship, I cannot say: but that he tooke
him and slue his companie, as some haue written, I cannot thinke it to
be true, both as well for that which ye haue heard recited out of the
author that wrote "Encomium EmmÊ," as also for that it should sÈeme he
might neuer be so directlie charged with it, but that he had matter to
alledge in his owne excuse. But now to other affaires of Harold.
[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ QuÈene Emma banished.]
After he had made away his halfe brother Alfred, he spoiled
his mother in law quÈene Emma of the most part of hir riches, and
therewith banished hir quite out of the realme: so that she sailed
ouer to Flanders, where she was honourablie receiued of earle
Baldwine, and hauing of him honourable prouision assigned hir, she
continued there for the space of thrÈe yeeres, till that after
[Sidenote: _Polydor_. Harold degenerateth from his father. _Hen. Hunt._]
the death of Harold, she was sent for by hir sonne Hardiknought, that
succÈeded Harold in the kingdome. Moreouer, Harold made small account
of his subiects, degenerating from the noble vertues of his father,
following him in few things (except in exacting of tributes and
paiments.) He caused indeed eight markes of siluer to be leuied of
[Sidenote: A nauie in a readinesse. Euill men, the longer they liue,
the more they grow into miserie. _Wil. Malm._ _Hen. Hunt._]
euerie port or hauen in England, to the reteining of 16 ships
furnished with men of warre, which continued euer in readinesse to
defend the coasts from pirats. To conclude with this Harold, his
spÈedie death prouided well for his fame, bicause (as it was thought)
if his life had bÈene of long continuance, his infamie had bÈene the
greater. But after he had reigned foure yÈeres, or (as other gathered)
three yÈeres and thrÈe moneths, he departed out of this world at
Oxford, & was buried at Winchester (as some say.) Other say he died at
[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
Meneford in the moneth of Aprill, and was buried at Westminster,
which should appeare to be true by that which after is reported of his
brother Hardiknoughts cruell dealing, and great spite shewed toward
his dead bodie, as after shall be specified.
* * * * *
_Hardicnute is sent for into England to be made king; alteration
in the state of Norwaie and Denmarke by the death of king Cnute,
Hardicnute is crowned, he sendeth for his mother queene Emma,
Normandie ruled by the French king, Hardicnute reuengeth his mothers
exile upon the dead bodie of his stepbrother Harold, queene Emma and
erle Goodwine haue the gouernment of things in their hands, Hardicnute
leuieth a sore tribute upon his subiects; contempt of officers &
deniall of a prince his tribute sharpelie punished; prince Edward
commeth into England; the bishop of Worcester accused and put from his
see for being accessarie to the murthering of Alfred, his restitution
procured by contribution; Earle Goodwine being accused for the same
trespasse excuseth himselfe, and iustifieth his cause by swearing, but
speciallie by presenting the king with an inestimable gift; the cause
why Goodwine purposed Alfreds death; the English peoples care about
the succession to the crowne, moonke Brightwalds dreame and vision
touching that matter; Hardicnute poisoned at a bridall, his
conditions, speciallie his hospitalitie, of him the Englishmen learned
to eate and drinke immoderatlie, the necessitie of sobrietie, the end
of the Danish regiment in this land, and when they began first to
inuade the English coasts._