Transcriber’s Notes
Italic text enclosed with _underscores_.
Bold text enclosed with =equal signs=.
Small-caps replaced by ALL CAPS.
More notes appear at the end of the file.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BELL’S ENGLISH HISTORY SOURCE BOOKS
_General Editors_: S. E. WINBOLT, M.A., and KENNETH BELL, M.A.
THE WELDING OF THE RACE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BELL’S ENGLISH HISTORY SOURCE BOOKS.
_Volumes now Ready._ _1s. net each._
=449-1066. The Welding of the Race.= Edited by the Rev. JOHN WALLIS,
M.A.
=1066-1154. The Normans in England.= Edited by _A. E. Bland_, M.A.
[_In preparation_
=1154-1216. The Angevins and the Charter.= Edited by S. M. TOYNE, M.A.
=1216-1307. The Struggle for the Charter.= Edited by W. D. ROBIESON,
M.A.
[_In preparation_
=1307-1399. War and Misrule.= Edited by A. A. LOCKE.
=1399-1485. The Last of Feudalism.= Edited by W. GARMON JONES, M.A.
=1485-1547. The Reformation and the Renaissance.= Edited by F. W.
BEWSHER, B.A.
=1547-1603. The Age of Elizabeth.= Edited by ARUNDELL ESDAILE, M.A.
=1603-1660. Puritanism and Liberty.= Edited by KENNETH BELL, M.A.
=1660-1714. A Constitution in Making.= Edited by G. B. PERRETT, M.A.
=1714-1760. Walpole and Chatham.= Edited by K. A. ESDAILE.
=1760-1801. American Independence and the French Revolution.= Edited by
S. E WINBOLT, M.A.
=1801-1815. England and Napoleon.= Edited by S. E. WINBOLT, M.A.
=1815-1837. Peace and Reform.= Edited by A. C. W. EDWARDS, M.A.,
Christ’s Hospital.
=1856-1876. Palmerston to Disraeli.= Edited by EWING HARDING, B.A.
=1876-1887. Imperialism and Mr. Gladstone.= Edited by R. H. GRETTON,
M.A.
=1563-1913. Canada.= Edited by JAMES MUNRO, Lecturer at Edinburgh
University.
_Other volumes, covering the whole range of English History from Roman
Britain, are in active preparation, and will be issued at short
intervals._
LONDON: G. BELL AND SONS, LTD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE WELDING OF THE RACE
(“449”—1066)
COMPILED BY THE
REV. JOHN E. W. WALLIS, B.A. (OXON.)
ASSISTANT MASTER AT CHRIST’S HOSPITAL
[Illustration: “bell”]
LONDON
G. BELL & SONS, LTD.
1913
------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION
This series of English History Source Books is intended for use with any
ordinary textbook of English History. Experience has conclusively shown
that such apparatus is a valuable—nay, an indispensable—adjunct to the
history lesson. It is capable of two main uses: either by way of lively
illustration at the close of a lesson, or by way of inference-drawing,
before the textbook is read, at the beginning of the lesson. The kind of
problems and exercises that may be based on the documents are legion,
and are admirably illustrated in a _History of England for Schools_,
Part I., by Keatinge and Frazer, pp. 377-381. However, we have no wish
to prescribe for the teacher the manner in which he shall exercise his
craft, but simply to provide him and his pupils with materials hitherto
not readily accessible for school purposes. The very moderate price of
the books in this series should bring them within the reach of every
secondary school. Source books enable the pupil to take a more active
part than hitherto in the history lesson. Here is the apparatus, the raw
material: its use we leave to teacher and taught.
Our belief is that the books may profitably be used by all grades of
historical students between the standards of fourth-form boys in
secondary schools and undergraduates at Universities. What
differentiates students at one extreme from those at the other is not so
much the kind of subject-matter dealt with, as the amount they can read
into or extract from it.
In regard to choice of subject-matter, while trying to satisfy the
natural demand for certain “stock” documents of vital importance, we
hope to introduce much fresh and novel matter. It is our intention that
the majority of the extracts should be lively in style—that is,
personal, or descriptive, or rhetorical, or even strongly partisan—and
should not so much profess to give the truth as supply data for
inference. We aim at the greatest possible variety, and lay under
contribution letters, biographies, ballads and poems, diaries, debates,
and newspaper accounts. Economics, London, municipal, and social life
generally, and local history, are represented in these pages.
The order of the extracts is strictly chronological, each being
numbered, titled, and dated, and its authority given. The text is
modernised, where necessary, to the extent of leaving no difficulties in
reading.
We shall be most grateful to teachers and students who may send us
suggestions for improvement.
S. E. WINBOLT.
KENNETH BELL.
NOTE TO THIS VOLUME
(“449”-1066)
The following extracts have been taken, where possible, from
contemporary authorities. I have attempted to make this selection in
some degree a companion book to the late Dr. Thomas Hodgkin’s Volume I.
in Messrs. Hunt and Poole’s _Political History of England_—a book to
which my obligations are great, as the reader may easily perceive. I am
responsible for the translations marked “W.” I am greatly indebted to
Mr. E. Barker, of New College, and Mr. W. H. Stevenson, of St. John’s
College, Oxford, who have very kindly looked through the proofs, and
corrected many blunders. A brief note on the chief authorities for the
period has been added.
JOHN E. W. WALLIS.
SAYERS FARM,
TWO MILE ASH, HORSHAM.
_September, 1913._
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
INTRODUCTION v
“449.” THE COMING OF THE ENGLISH:—
1. CONTEMPORARY EVIDENCE:
(_a_) CHRONICA GALLICA
(_b_) CONSTANTIUS 1
2. LATER EVIDENCE:
(i.) A BRITON’S ACCOUNT _Gildas_ 3
(ii.) THE ENGLISH
TRADITION:
(_a_) BEDE 6
(_b_) THE WESSEX _A.-S. Chronicle_ 8
ACCOUNT
597. THE MISSION OF AUGUSTINE _Bede_ 10
_c._ 600. ETHELBERT’S DOOMS _Thorpe_ 13
601. POPE GREGORY’S LETTER TO 15
AUGUSTINE ON THE ORGANISATION
OF THE CHURCH
603. AUGUSTINE’S ATTEMPT TO UNITE _Bede_ 17
THE ROMAN AND THE CELTIC
CHURCHES
625. PAULINUS AND EDWIN _Bede_ 19
627. EDWIN OF NORTHUMBRIA HOLDS A _Bede_ 22
CONFERENCE
635. THE CHARACTER OF BISHOP AIDAN _Bede_ 24
642. OSWIN OF NORTHUMBRIA AND _Bede_ 25
AIDAN
664. THE SYNOD OF WHITBY _Bede_ 27
664. ABBOT BENEDICT BISCOP’S ZEAL _Bede_ 28
FOR RELIGIOUS ART
673. THE SYNOD OF HERTFORD _Bede_ 31
678. THEODORE AND WILFRID _Eddius Stephanus_ 34
680. THE STORY OF CÆEDMON _Bede_ 35
681. WILFRID CONVERTS THE SOUTH _Bede_ 37
SAXONS
687. SAINT CUTHBERT (1) AS ABBOT, _Bede_ 39
(2) AS ANCHORITE
_c._ 700. THE DOOMS OF INE _Thorpe_ 41
716. CEOLFRID, ABBOT OF JARROW _Bede_ 44
720-730. A RIDDLE OF CYNEWULF 48
722. POPE GREGORY II. COMMENDS 49
BONIFACE
731. THE STATE OF ENGLAND _Bede_ 50
731. BEDE’S ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF, _Bede_ 52
HIS HISTORICAL AUTHORITIES
AND METHODS
786. THE FAITHFUL THEGNS _A.-S. Chronicle_ 54
787-870. THE COMING OF THE DANES _A.-S. Chronicle_ 56
796. A LETTER FROM CHARLES THE 59
GREAT TO OFFA
827. THE BRETWALDAS _A.-S. Chronicle_ 61
871-878. ALFRED AND THE DANES _A.-S. Chronicle_ 62
_c._ 885. ALFRED AND GUTHRUM’S PEACE _Thorpe_ 66
_c._ 890. ALFRED’S DOOMS _Thorpe_ 67
_c._ 890. OHTHERE’S VOYAGE OF _Alfred’s “Orosius”_ 70
EXPLORATION, TOLD TO KING
ALFRED
907-925. EDWARD’S POLICY _A.-S. Chronicle_ 73
_c._ 930. ATHELSTAN’S DOOM CONCERNING _Thorpe_ 76
HOT IRON AND WATER
937. THE BATTLE OF BRUNANBURH _A.-S. Chronicle_ 77
940. A LAND BOC _Earle_ 79
946. DUNSTAN IS MADE ABBOT OF “_B._” 82
GLASTONBURY BY KING EDMUND
973. EDGAR’S CORONATION, WHITSUN _Anon._ 84
DAY
978. THE MURDER OF EDWARD AT CORFE _Anon._ 86
980-1002. THE REDELESS KING AND THE _A.-S. Chronicle_ 88
DANES
991. THE BATTLE OF MALDON _A.-S. Poem_ 92
_c._ 1000. COUNTRY LIFE AT THE END OF _Ælfric_ 95
THE TENTH CENTURY
1016. EDMUND AND CANUTE _A.-S. Chronicle_ 100
_c._ 1025. PEOPLES’ DUTIES AND RIGHTS IN _Thorpe_ 103
THE TIME OF CANUTE
1027. CANUTE’S LETTER FROM ROME _William of Malmesbury_ 107
1029-1060. RANKS AMONG THE ENGLISH _Thorpe_ 110
1051. SAXON AND NORMAN _A.-S. Chronicle_ 110
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE _William of Malmesbury_ 113
ENGLISH BEFORE THE CONQUEST
1066. A NORMAN ACCOUNT OF THE _William of Malmesbury_ 115
BATTLE OF HASTINGS
1066. THE LAST OF THE NORTHMEN AND _A.-S. Chronicle_ 117
OF THE ENGLISH
NOTE ON THE CHIEF AUTHORITIES 119
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE WELDING OF THE RACE
(“449”-1066)
THE COMING OF THE ENGLISH (“449”).
1. CONTEMPORARY EVIDENCE.
=Source.=—_Chronica Gallica_, written up to 511, probably early in the
sixth century. _Mon. Germ. Hist., Auct. Antiq._, ix., 2, pp. 653,
660.
The sixteenth year of Arcadius and Honorius [_i.e._, A.D. 410]: at this
time the strength of the Romans was utterly wasted by sickness, and the
provinces of Britain were laid waste by the incursion of the Saxons.
The eighteenth year of Theodosius II. [_i.e._, A.D. 441]: the provinces
of Britain, which up to this time had been torn by various slaughters
and disasters, are brought under the dominion of the Saxons.
=Source.=—Constantius, _Life of St. Germanus_, written about A.D. 480,
quoted by Bede, bk. i., c. 20. Translated by J. A. Giles. Bohn’s
Antiquarian Library.
A.D. 429.—In the meanwhile the Saxons and the Picts, driven into one
camp by the same necessity, with conjoined force undertook war against
the Britons, who, thinking themselves unequal to their enemies, implored
the assistance of the holy bishops; who, hastening to them as they had
promised, inspired so much confidence into these fearful people, that
one would have thought they had been joined by a mighty army. Thus, by
these apostolic leaders, Christ Himself commanded in their camp. The
holy days of Lent were also at hand, and were rendered more sacred by
the presence of the bishops, insomuch that the people being instructed
by daily sermons, resorted in crowds to be baptised; for most of the
army desired admission to the saving waters; a church was prepared with
boughs for the feast of the Resurrection of our Lord, and so fitted up
in that martial camp, as if it were in a city. The army advanced, still
wet with the baptismal water; the faith of the people was strengthened;
and whereas human power had before been despaired of, the Divine
assistance was now relied upon. The enemy received advice of the state
of the army, and not questioning their success against an unarmed
multitude, hastened forwards, but their approach was, by the scouts,
made known to the Britons; the greater part of whose forces being just
come from the font, after the celebration of Easter, and preparing to
arm and carry on the war, Germanus declared he would be their leader. He
picked out the most active, viewed the country round about, and
observed, in the way by which the enemy was expected, a valley
encompassed with hills. In that place he drew up his inexperienced
troops, himself acting as their general. A multitude of fierce enemies
appeared, whom as soon as those that lay in ambush saw approaching,
Germanus, bearing in his hands the standard, instructed his men all in a
loud voice to repeat his words, and the enemy advancing securely, as
thinking to take them by surprise, the priests three times cried
Hallelujah. A universal shout of the same word followed, and the hills
resounding the echo on all sides, the enemy was struck with dread,
fearing, that not only the neighbouring rocks, but even the very skies
were falling upon them; and such was their terror, that their feet were
not swift enough to deliver them from it. They fled in disorder, casting
away their arms, and well satisfied if, with their naked bodies, they
could escape the danger; many of them, in their precipitate and hasty
flight, were swallowed up by the river which they were passing. The
Britons, without the loss of a man, beheld their vengeance complete, and
became inactive spectators of their victory. The scattered spoils were
gathered up, and the pious soldiers rejoiced in the success which heaven
had granted them. The prelates thus triumphed over the enemy without
bloodshed, and gained a victory by faith, without the aid of human
force; and, having settled the affairs of the island, and restored
tranquillity by the defeat, as well as of the invisible, as of the
carnal enemies, prepared to return home. Their own merits, and the
intercession of the holy martyr Alban, obtained them a safe passage, and
the happy vessel restored them in peace to their rejoicing people.
2. LATER EVIDENCE.
(i.) _A Briton’s Account._
=Source.=—Gildas, _Liber Querulus_, §§ 22-26, written about A.D.
540-560. Translated by J. A. Giles. _Six Old English Chronicles_,
Bohn’s Antiquarian Library.
A vague rumour, suddenly as if on wings, reaches the ears of all, that
their inveterate foes [the Picts and Scots] were rapidly approaching to
destroy the whole country, and to take possession of it, as of old, from
one end to the other.... A council was called to settle what was best
and most expedient to be done, in order to repel such frequent and fatal
irruptions and plunderings of the above-named nations. Then all the
councillors, together with that proud tyrant [Vortigern], were so
blinded, that, as a protection to their country, they sealed its doom by
inviting in among them (like wolves into the sheep fold), the fierce and
impious Saxons, a race hateful both to God and men, to repel the
invasions of the northern nations. Nothing was ever so pernicious to our
country, nothing was ever so unlucky. What palpable darkness must have
enveloped their minds—darkness desperate and cruel! Those very people
whom, when absent, they dreaded more than death itself, were invited to
reside, as one may say, under the selfsame roof. A multitude of whelps
came forth from the lair of this barbaric lioness, in three cyuls, as
they call them, that is, in three ships of war, with their sails wafted
by the wind and with omens and prophecies favourable, for it was
foretold by a certain soothsayer among them, that they should occupy the
country to which they were sailing three hundred years; and half of that
time, a hundred and fifty years, should plunder and despoil the same.
They first landed on the eastern side of the island, by the invitation
of the unlucky king, and there fixed their sharp talons, apparently to
fight in favour of the island, but, alas! more truly against it. Their
motherland, finding her first brood thus successful, sends forth a
larger company of her wolfish offspring, which, sailing over, join
themselves to their bastard-born comrades.... The barbarians being thus
introduced as soldiers into the island, to encounter, as they falsely
said, any dangers in defence of their hospitable entertainers, obtain an
allowance of provisions, which, for some time being plentifully
bestowed, stopped their doggish mouths. Yet they complain that their
monthly supplies are not furnished in sufficient abundance, and they
industriously aggravate each occasion of quarrel, saying that unless
more liberality is shown them, they will break the treaty and plunder
the whole island. In a short time they follow up their threats with
deeds. For the fire of vengeance, justly kindled by former crimes,
spread from sea to sea, fed by the hands of our foes in the east, and
did not cease, until, destroying the neighbouring towns and lands, it
reached the other side of the island, and dipped its red and savage
tongue in the western ocean.... So that all the columns were levelled
with the ground by the frequent strokes of the battering ram, all the
husbandmen routed, together with their bishops, priests, and people,
whilst the sword gleamed, and the flames crackled around them on every
side. Lamentable to behold, in the midst of the streets lay the tops of
lofty towers, tumbled to the ground, stones of high walls, holy altars,
fragments of human bodies, covered with livid clots of coagulated blood,
looking as if they had been squeezed together in a wine-press; and with
no chance of being buried save in the ruins of the houses, or in the
ravening bellies of wild beasts and birds.... Some, therefore, of the
miserable remnant, being taken in the mountains, were murdered in great
numbers; others, constrained by famine, came and yielded themselves to
be slaves for ever to their foes, running the risk of being instantly
slain, which truly was the greatest favour that could be offered them:
some others passed beyond the seas with loud lamentations instead of the
voice of exhortation.... Others, committing the safeguard of their
lives, which were in continual jeopardy, to the mountains, precipices,
thickly wooded forests, and to the rocks of the seas (albeit with
trembling hearts), remained still in their country. But in the
meanwhile, an opportunity happening, when these most cruel robbers were
returned home, the poor remnants of our nation (to whom flocked, from
divers places round about, our miserable countrymen as fast as bees to
their hives, for fear of an ensuing storm), being strengthened by God,
calling upon him with all their hearts that they might not be brought to
utter destruction, took arms under the conduct of Ambrosius Aurelianus,
a modest man, who of all the Roman nation was then alone, in the
confusion of this troubled period, by chance left alive. His parents,
who for their merit were adorned with the purple, had been slain in
these same broils, and now his progeny in these our days, although
shamefully degenerated from the worthiness of their ancestors, provoke
to battle their cruel conquerors, and by the goodness of our Lord obtain
the victory. After this, sometimes our countrymen, sometimes the enemy,
won the field, to the end that our Lord might in this land try after His
accustomed manner these His Israelites, whether they loved Him or not,
until the year of the siege of Bath-hill [Mons Badonicus], when took
place also the last almost, though not the least slaughter of our cruel
foes, which was (as I am sure) forty-four years and one month after the
landing of the Saxons, and also the time of my own nativity. And yet
neither to this day are the cities of our country inhabited as before,
but, being forsaken and overthrown, still lie desolate.
(ii.) _The English Tradition_—(_a_) _Bede_.
=Source.=—_Eccl. Hist._, i. 15. A.D. 731. Translated by J. A. Giles.
Bohn’s Library.
The Britons consulted what was to be done, and where they should seek
assistance to prevent or repel the cruel and frequent incursions of the
northern nations; and they all agreed with their King Vortigern to call
over to their aid, from the parts beyond the sea, the Saxon nation;
which, as the event still more evidently showed, appears to have been
done by the appointment of our Lord Himself, that evil might fall upon
them for their wicked deeds.
In the year of our Lord 449, Martian being made emperor with
Valentinian, and the forty-sixth from Augustus, ruled the empire seven
years. Then the nation of the Angles, or Saxons, being invited by the
aforesaid king, arrived in Britain with three long ships, and had a
place assigned them to reside in by the same king, in the eastern part
of the island, that they might thus appear to be fighting for their
country, whilst their real intentions were to enslave it. Accordingly
they engaged with the enemy, who were come from the north to give
battle, and obtained the victory; which, being known at home in their
own country, as also the fertility of the country, and the cowardice of
the Britons, a more considerable fleet was quickly sent over, bringing a
still greater number of men, which, being added to the former, made up
an invincible army. The newcomers received of the Britons a place to
inhabit, upon condition that they should wage war against their enemies
for the peace and security of the country, whilst the Britons agreed to
furnish them with pay. Those who came over were of the three most
powerful nations of Germany—Saxons, Angles, and Jutes. From the Jutes
are descended the people of Kent, and of the Isle of Wight, and those
also in the province of the West Saxons who are to this day called
Jutes, seated opposite to the Isle of Wight. From the Saxons, that is,
the country which is now called Old Saxony, came the East Saxons, the
South Saxons, and the West Saxons. From the Angles, that is, the country
which is called Anglia, and which is said, from that time, to remain
desert to this day, between the provinces of the Jutes and the Saxons,
are descended the East Angles, the Midland Angles, Mercians, all the
race of the Northumbrians, that is, of those nations that dwell on the
north side of the river Humber, and the other nations of the English.
The two first commanders are said to have been Hengist and Horsa. Of
whom Horsa, being afterwards slain in battle by the Britons, was buried
in the eastern parts of Kent, where a monument, bearing his name, is
still in existence. They were the sons of Victgilsus, whose father was
Vitta, son of Vecta, son of Woden; from whose stock the royal race of
many provinces deduce their original. In a short time, swarms of the
aforesaid nations came over into the island, and they began to increase
so much, that they became terrible to the natives themselves who had
invited them. Then, having on a sudden entered into league with the
Picts, whom they had by this time repelled by the force of their arms,
they began to turn their weapons against their confederates. At first,
they obliged them to furnish a greater quantity of provisions; and,
seeking an occasion to quarrel, protested, that unless more plentiful
supplies were brought them, they would break the confederacy, and ravage
all the island; nor were they backward in putting their threats in
execution. For the barbarous conquerors plundered all the neighbouring
cities and country, spread the conflagration from the eastern to the
western sea, without any opposition, and covered almost every part of
the devoted island. Public as well as private structures were
overturned; the priests were everywhere slain before the altars; the
prelates and the people, without any respect of persons, were destroyed
with fire and sword; nor was there any to bury those who had been thus
cruelly slaughtered. Some of the miserable remainder, being taken in the
mountains, were butchered in heaps. Others, spent with hunger, came
forth and submitted themselves to the enemy for food, being destined to
undergo perpetual servitude, if they were not killed even upon the spot.
Some, with sorrowful hearts, fled beyond the seas. Others, continuing in
their own country, led a miserable life among the woods, rocks, and
mountains, with scarcely enough food to support life, and expecting
every moment to be their last.
When the victorious army, having destroyed and dispersed the natives,
had returned home to their own settlements, the Britons began by degrees
to take heart, and gather strength, sallying out of the lurking places
where they had concealed themselves, and unanimously imploring the
Divine assistance, that they might not utterly be destroyed. They had at
that time for their leader, Ambrosius Aurelianus, a modest man, who
alone, by chance, of the Roman nation had survived the storm, in which
his parents, who were of the royal race, had perished. Under him the
Britons revived, and offering battle to the victors, by the help of God,
came off victorious. From that day, sometimes the natives, and sometimes
their enemies, prevailed, till the year of the siege of Bath-hill, when
they made no small slaughter of those invaders, about forty-four years
after their arrival in England.
(_b_) _The Wessex Account_.
=Source.=—_Anglo-Saxon Chronicle._ Compiled probably in Alfred’s reign.
Translated by J. A. Giles. Bohn’s Library.
ANNO 449.—This year Martianus and Valentinus succeeded to the empire and
reigned seven years. And in their days Hengist and Horsa, invited by
Vortigern, King of the Britons, landed in Britain in three keels on the
shore which is called Heopwines-fleet [Ebbsfleet]; at first in aid of
the Britons, but afterwards they fought against them. King Vortigern
gave them land in the south-east of this country, on condition that they
should fight against the Picts. Then they fought against the Picts, and
had the victory wheresoever they came. They then sent to the Angles;
desired larger forces to be sent, and caused them to be told the
worthlessness of the Britons, and the excellencies of the land. Then
they soon sent thither a larger force in aid of the others. At that time
there came men from three tribes in Germany; from the Old Saxons, from
the Angles, from the Jutes. From the Jutes came the Kentishmen and the
Wightwarians, that is, the tribe which now dwells in Wight, and that
race among the West Saxons which is still called the race of Jutes. From
the Old Saxons came the men of Essex and Sussex and Wessex. From Anglia,
which has ever since remained waste betwixt the Jutes and Saxons, came
the men of East Anglia, Middle Anglia, Mercia, and all Northumbria.
Their leaders were two brothers, Hengist and Horsa: they were the sons
of Wihtgils, the son of Witta, the son of Wecta, the son of Woden: from
this Woden sprang all our royal families, and those of the Southumbrians
also.
ANNO 455.—This year Hengist and Horsa fought against King Vortigern at
the place which is called Ægelesthrep [Aylesford], and his brother Horsa
was there slain, and after that Hengist obtained the kingdom, and Æsc
his son.
ANNO 456.—This year Hengist and Æsc slew four troops of Britons with the
edge of the sword, in the place which is called Crecganford [Crayford].
ANNO 477.—This year Ælle and his three sons, Cymen, and Wlencing, and
Cissa, came to the land of Britain with three ships, at a place which is
named Cymenesora, and there slew many Welsh, and some they drove in
flight into the wood that is named Andredesleag.
ANNO 491.—This year Ælle and Cissa besieged Andredesceaster, and slew
all that dwelt therein, so that not a single Briton was there left.
ANNO 495.—This year two ealdormen came to Britain, Cerdic and Cynric,
his son, with five ships, at the place which is called Cerdicesora.
ANNO 514.—This year the West Saxons came to Britain with three ships, at
the place which is called Cerdicesora, and Stuf and Whitgar fought
against the Britons, and routed them.
ANNO 519.—This year Cerdic and Cynric obtained the kingdom of the West
Saxons; and the same year they fought against the Britons where it is
now named Cerdicesford [Charford].
ANNO 530.—This year Cerdic and Cynric conquered the Island of Wight, and
slew many men at Wihtgaræsbyrg [Carisbrooke].
ANNO 552.—This year Cynric fought against the Britons at the place which
is called Searobyrig [Old Sarum], and he put the Britons to flight.
ANNO 556.—This year Cynric and Ceawlin fought against the Britons at
Beranbyrig [Barbury].
ANNO 571.—This year Cuthulf fought against the Britons at Bedcanford
[Bedford], and took four towns, Lygeanbirg [Lenbury], and Ægelesbirg
[Aylesbury], and Bænesington [Benson], and Egonsham [Eynsham]; and the
same year he died.
ANNO 577.—This year Cuthwine and Ceawlin fought against the Britons, and
they slew three kings, Coinmail, and Condidan, and Farinmail, at the
place which is called Deorham, and took three cities from them,
Gloucester, and Cirencester, and Bath.
ANNO 584.—This year Ceawlin and Cutha fought against the Britons at the
place which is called Fethanlea, and there was Cutha slain; and Ceawlin
took many towns, and spoils innumerable; and wrathful he thence returned
to his own.
THE MISSION OF AUGUSTINE (597).
=Source.=—Bede, _Eccl. Hist._, i. 25, 26. A.D. 731. Translated by J. A.
Giles. Bohn’s Library.
Augustine, thus strengthened by the confirmation of the blessed Father
Gregory, returned to the work of the word of God, with the servants of
Christ, and arrived in Britain. The powerful Ethelbert was at that time
king of Kent; he had extended his dominions as far as the great river
Humber, by which the Southern Saxons are divided from the Northern. On
the east of Kent is the large Isle of Thanet, containing, according to
the English way of reckoning, 600 families, divided from the other land
by the river Wantsum, which is about three furlongs over, and fordable
only in two places, for both ends of it run into the sea. In this island
landed the servant of our Lord, Augustine, and his companions, being, as
is reported, nearly forty men. They had, by order of the blessed Pope
Gregory, taken interpreters of the nation of the Franks, and sending to
Ethelbert, signified that they were come from Rome, and brought a joyful
message, which most undoubtedly assured to all that took advantage of it
everlasting joys in heaven, and a kingdom that would never end, with the
living and true God. The king having heard this, ordered them to stay in
that island where they had landed, and that they should be furnished
with all necessaries, till he should consider what to do with them. For
he had before heard of the Christian religion, having a Christian wife
of the royal family of the Franks, called Bertha; whom he had received
from her parents, upon condition that she should be permitted to
practise her religion with the Bishop Luidhard, who was sent with her to
preserve her faith. Some days after, the king came into the island, and
sitting in the open air, ordered Augustine and his companions to be
brought into his presence. For he had taken precaution that they should
not come to him in any house, lest, according to an ancient
superstition, if they practised any magical arts, they might impose upon
him, and so get the better of him. But they came furnished with Divine,
not with magic virtue, bearing a silver cross for their banner, and the
image of our Lord and Saviour painted on a board; and singing the
litany, they offered up their prayers to the Lord for the eternal
salvation both of themselves and of those to whom they were come. When
he had sat down, pursuant to the king’s commands, and preached to him
and his attendants there present, the word of life, the king answered
thus:—“Your words and promises are very fair, but as they are new to us,
and of uncertain import, I cannot approve of them so far as to forsake
that which I have so long followed with the whole English nation. But
because you are come from far into my kingdom, and, as I conceive, are
desirous to impart to us those things which you believe to be true, and
most beneficial, we will not molest you, but give you favourable
entertainment, and take care to supply you with your necessary
sustenance; nor do we forbid you to preach and gain as many as you can
to your religion.” Accordingly he permitted them to reside in the city
of Canterbury, which was the metropolis of all his dominions, and,
pursuant to his promise, besides allowing them sustenance, did not
refuse them liberty to preach. It is reported that, as they drew near to
the city, after their manner, with the holy cross, and the image of our
sovereign Lord and King, Jesus Christ, they, in concert, sung this
litany: “We beseech Thee, O Lord, in all Thy mercy, that Thy anger and
wrath be turned away from this city, and from the holy house, because we
have sinned. Hallelujah.”
As soon as they entered the dwelling-place assigned them, they began to
imitate the course of life practised in the primitive church; applying
themselves to frequent prayer, watching and fasting; preaching the word
of life to as many as they could; despising all worldly things, as not
belonging to them; receiving only their necessary food from those they
taught; living themselves in all respects conformably to what they
prescribed to others, and being always disposed to suffer any adversity,
and even to die for that truth which they preached. In short, several
believed and were baptised, admiring the simplicity of their innocent
life, and the sweetness of their heavenly doctrine. There was on the
east side of the city a church dedicated to the honour of St. Martin,
built whilst the Romans were still in the island, wherein the queen,
who, as has been said before, was a Christian, used to pray. In this
they first began to meet, to sing, to pray, to say mass, to preach, and
to baptise, till the king, being converted to the faith, allowed them to
preach openly, and build or repair churches in all places.
When he, among the rest, induced by the unspotted life of these holy
men, and their delightful promises, which, by many miracles, they proved
to be most certain, believed and was baptised, greater numbers began
daily to flock together to hear the word, and, forsaking their heathen
rites, to associate themselves, by believing, to the unity of the church
of Christ. Their conversion the king so far encouraged, as that he
compelled none to embrace Christianity, but only showed more affection
to the believers, as to his fellow-citizens in the heavenly kingdom. For
he had learned from his instructors and leaders to salvation, that the
service of Christ ought to be voluntary, not by compulsion. Nor was it
long before he gave his teachers a settled residence in his metropolis
of Canterbury, with such possessions of different kinds as were
necessary for their subsistence.
ETHELBERT’S DOOMS (_circa 600_).
=Source.=—Thorpe, _Ancient Laws and Institutes of England_.
These are the dooms which Ethelbert the King gave forth in Augustine’s
days:
1. The property of God and of the church, twelve-fold; a bishop’s
property, eleven-fold; a priest’s property, nine-fold; a deacon’s
property, six-fold; a clerk’s property, three-fold; right of sanctuary,
two-fold.
2. If the king call his people to him, and any one there do them evil, a
two-fold amends, and 50 shillings to the king.
5. If a man slay another in the king’s “tun,” let him make amends with
50 shillings.
6. If any one slay a freeman, 50 shillings to the king as a fine.
8. The king’s fine for a breach of the peace, 50 shillings.
9. If a freeman steal from a freeman, let him make three-fold amends,
and let the king have the fine and all the chattels.
13. If a man slay another in an eorl’s tun, let him make amends with 12
shillings.
15. A ceorl’s fine for a breach of the peace, 6 shillings.
17. If any one be the first to break into a man’s tun, let him make
amends with 6 shillings; let him who follows, with 3 shillings;
afterward, each man a shilling.
19. If highway robbery be done, let the amends be 6 shillings.
20. If a man then slay a man, let him make amends with 20 shillings.
28. If any man take indoor-property, let him make a three-fold amends.
33. If there be seizing of the hair, let there be 50 sceatts for amends.
34. If there be an exposure of the bone, let amends be made with 3
shillings.
35. If there be a bite into the bone, let amends be made with 4
shillings.
38. If a shoulder be lamed, let amends be made with 30 shillings.
39. If an ear be struck off, let amends be made with 12 shillings.
43. If an eye be out, let amends be made with 50 shillings.
45. If the nose be pierced, let amends be made with 9 shillings.
50. Let him who breaks the jaw-bone pay for it with 20 shillings.
51. For each of the four front teeth, 6 shillings, for the tooth which
stands next to them, 4 shillings; for that which stands next to that, 3
shillings; and then afterwards, for each, a shilling.
52. If the speech be injured, 12 shillings.
53. Let him who stabs through an arm make amends with 6 shillings. If an
arm be broken, let him make amends with 6 shillings.
54. If a thumb be struck off, 20 shillings. If a thumb-nail be off, let
amends be made with 3 shillings. If the shooting-finger [fore-finger] be
struck off, let amends be made with 8 shillings. If the middle finger be
struck off, let amends be made with 4 shillings. If the gold-finger
[ring-finger] be struck off, let amends be made with 6 shillings. If the
little finger be struck off, let amends be made with 11 shillings.
55. For every nail, a shilling.
57. If any one strike another with his fist on the nose, 3 shillings.
69. If a foot be cut off, let 50 shillings be paid.
75. For the “mund” [money paid by a bridegroom to the bride’s father] of
a widow of the best class, of an eorl’s degree, let the fine be 50
shillings; of the second, 20 shillings; of the third, 12 shillings; of
the fourth, 6 shillings.
86. If one esne slay another unoffending, let him pay for him at his
full worth.
87. If an esne’s eye and foot be struck out or off, let him be paid for
at his full worth.
89. Let the highway robbery of a slave be 3 shillings.
90. If a slave steal, let him make twofold amends.
POPE GREGORY’S LETTER TO AUGUSTINE
ON THE ORGANISATION OF THE CHURCH (601).
=Source.=—Bede, _Eccl. Hist._, i. 29. A.D. 731. Translated by J. A.
Giles. Bohn’s Library.
“_To his most reverend and holy brother and fellow bishop, Augustine;
Gregory, the servant of the servants of God._ Though it be certain that
the unspeakable rewards of the eternal kingdom are reserved for those
who labour for Almighty God, yet it is requisite that we bestow on them
the advantage of honours, to the end that they may by this recompense be
enabled the more vigorously to apply themselves to the care of their
spiritual work. And in regard that the new church of the English is,
through the goodness of the Lord, and your labours, brought to the grace
of God, we grant you the use of the pall in the same, only for the
performing of the solemn service of the mass; so that you in several
places ordain twelve bishops, who shall be subject to your jurisdiction,
so that the bishop of London shall, for the future, be always
consecrated by his own synod, and that he receive the honour of the pall
from this holy and apostolical see, which I, by the grace of God, now
serve. But we will have you send to the city of York such a bishop as
you shall think fit to ordain; yet so, that if that city, with the
places adjoining, shall receive the word of God, that bishop shall also
ordain twelve bishops, and enjoy the honour of a metropolitan; for we
design, if we live, by the help of God, to bestow on him also the pall;
and yet we will have him to be subservient to your authority; but after
your decease, he shall so preside over the bishops he shall ordain, as
to be in no way subject to the jurisdiction of the bishop of London. But
for the future let this distinction be between the bishops of the cities
of London and York, that he may have the precedence who shall be first
ordained. But let them unanimously dispose, by common advice and uniform
conduct, whatsoever is to be done for the zeal of Christ; let them judge
rightly, and perform what they judge convenient in a uniform manner.
“But to you, my brother, shall, by the authority of our God, and Lord
Jesus Christ, be subject not only those bishops you shall ordain, and
those that shall be ordained by the bishop of York, but also all the
priests in Britain; to the end that from the mouth and life of your
holiness they may learn the rule of believing rightly, and living well,
and fulfilling their office in faith and good manners, they may, when it
shall please the Lord, attain the heavenly kingdom. God preserve you in
safety, most reverend brother.
“Dated the 22nd of June, in the nineteenth year of the reign of our most
pious lord and emperor, Mauritius Tiberius, the eighteenth year after
the consulship of our said lord. The fourth indiction.”
AUGUSTINE’S ATTEMPT TO UNITE THE ROMAN AND THE CELTIC CHURCHES (603).
=Source.=—Bede, _Eccl. Hist._, ii. 2. A.D. 731. Translated by J. A.
Giles. Bohn’s Library.
Augustine, with the assistance of King Ethelbert, drew together to a
conference the bishops, or doctors, of the next province of the Britons,
at a place which is to this day called Augustine’s Ac, that is,
Augustine’s Oak, on the borders of the Wiccii and West Saxons; and began
by brotherly admonitions to persuade them, that preserving Catholic
unity with him, they should undertake the common labour of preaching the
Gospel to the Gentiles. For they did not keep Easter Sunday at the
proper time, but from the fourteenth to the twentieth moon; which
computation is contained in a revolution of eighty-four years. Besides,
they did several other things which were against the unity of the
church. When, after a long disputation, they did not comply with the
entreaties, exhortations, or rebukes of Augustine and his companions,
but preferred their own traditions before all the churches in the world,
which in Christ agree among themselves, the holy father, Augustine, put
an end to this troublesome and tedious contention, saying: “Let us beg
of God, who causes those who are of one mind to live in his Father’s
house, that He will vouchsafe, by his heavenly tokens, to declare to us,
which tradition is to be followed; and by what means we are to find our
way to his heavenly kingdom. Let some infirm person be brought, and let
the faith and practice of those, by whose prayers he shall be healed, be
looked upon as acceptable to God, and be adopted by all.” The adverse
party unwillingly consenting, a blind man of the English race was
brought, who having been presented to the priests of the Britons, found
no benefit or cure from their ministry; at length, Augustine, compelled
by real necessity, bowed his knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, praying that the lost sight might be restored to the blind man,
and by the corporeal enlightening of one man, the light of spiritual
grace might be kindled in the hearts of many of the faithful.
Immediately the blind man received sight, and Augustine was by all
declared the preacher of the Divine truth. The Britons then confessed,
that it was the true way of righteousness which Augustine taught; but
that they could not depart from their ancient customs without the
consent and leave of their people. They therefore desired that a second
synod might be appointed, at which more of their number would be
present.
This being decreed, there came (as is asserted) seven bishops of the
Britons, and many most learned men, particularly from their most noble
monastery, which, in the English tongue, is called Bancornaburg
[Bangor-is-Coed], over which the Abbot Dinoot is said to have presided
at that time. They that were to go to the aforesaid council, repaired
first to a certain holy and discreet man, who was wont to lead an
eremitical life among them, advising with him, whether they ought, at
the preaching of Augustine, to forsake their traditions. He answered,
“If he is a man of God, follow him.”—“How shall we know that?” said
they. He replied, “Our Lord saith, Take my yoke upon you, and learn of
me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; if therefore, Augustine is meek
and lowly of heart, it is to be believed that he has taken upon him the
yoke of Christ, and offers the same to you to take upon you. But, if he
is stern and haughty, it appears that he is not of God, nor are we to
regard his words.” They insisted again, “And how shall we discern even
this?”—“Do you contrive,” said the anchorite, “that he may first arrive
with his company at the place where the synod is to be held; and if at
your approach he shall rise up to you, hear him submissively, being
assured that he is the servant of Christ; but if he shall despise you,
and not rise up to you, whereas you are more in number, let him also be
despised by you.”
They did as he directed; and it happened that when they came, Augustine
was sitting on a chair, which they observing, were in a passion, and
charging him with pride, endeavoured to contradict all he said. He said
to them, “You act in many particulars contrary to our custom, or rather
the custom of the universal church, and yet, if you will comply with me
in these three points, viz. to keep Easter at the due time; to
administer baptism, by which we are again born to God, according to the
custom of the holy Roman Apostolic Church; and jointly with us to preach
the word of God to the English nation, we will readily tolerate all the
other things you do, though contrary to our customs.” They answered they
would do none of those things, nor receive him as their archbishop; for
they alleged among themselves, that “if he would not now rise up to us,
how much more will he contemn us, as of no worth, if we shall begin to
be under his subjection?” To whom the man of God, Augustine, is said, in
a threatening manner, to have foretold, that in case they would not join
in unity with their brethren, they should be warred upon by their
enemies; and, if they would not preach the way of life to the English
nation, they should at their hands undergo the vengeance of death. All
which, through the dispensation of the Divine judgment, fell out exactly
as he had predicted.
PAULINUS AND EDWIN (625).
=Source.=—Bede, _Eccl. Hist._, ii. 9. Translated by J. A. Giles. Bohn’s
Library.
The occasion of this [the Northumbrian] nation’s embracing the faith was
their aforesaid king, being allied to the kings of Kent, having taken to
wife Ethelberga, otherwise called Tate, daughter to King Ethelbert. He
having by his ambassadors asked her in marriage of her brother Eadbald,
who then reigned in Kent, was answered, “That it was not lawful to marry
a Christian virgin to a pagan husband, lest the faith and the mysteries
of the heavenly King should be profaned by her living with a king that
was altogether a stranger to the worship of the true God.” This answer
being brought to Edwin by his messengers, he promised in no manner to
act in opposition to the Christian faith, which the virgin professed;
but would give leave to her, and all that went with her, men or women,
priests or ministers, to follow their faith and worship after the custom
of the Christians. Nor did he deny, but that he would embrace the same
religion, if, being examined by wise persons, it should be found more
holy and more worthy of God.
Hereupon the virgin was promised, and sent to Edwin, and pursuant to
what had been agreed on, Paulinus, a man beloved of God, was ordained
bishop, to go with her, and by daily exhortations, and celebrating the
heavenly mysteries, to confirm her and her company, lest they should be
corrupted by the company of the pagans. Paulinus was ordained bishop by
the Archbishop Justus, on the 21st day of July, in the year of our Lord,
625, and so he came to King Edwin with the aforesaid virgin. But his
mind was wholly bent upon reducing the nation to which he was sent to
the knowledge of truth.... Being come into that province, he laboured
much, not only to retain those that went with him, by the help of God,
that they should not revolt from the faith, but, if he could, to convert
some of the pagans to a state of grace by his preaching. But, as the
apostle says, though he laboured long in the word, “The god of this
world blinded the minds of them that believed not, lest the light of the
glorious Gospel of Christ should shine unto them.”
The next year there came into the province a certain assassin, called
Eumer, sent by the king of the West Saxons, whose name was Cuichelm, in
hopes at once to deprive King Edwin of his kingdom and his life. He had
a two-edged dagger, dipped in poison, to the end, that if the wound were
not sufficient to kill the king, it might be performed by the venom. He
came to the king on the first day of Easter, at the river Derwent, where
then stood the regal city, and being admitted as if to deliver a message
from his master, whilst he was in an artful manner delivering his
pretended embassy, he started on a sudden, and drawing the dagger from
under his garment, assaulted the king; which Lilla, the king’s beloved
thegn, observing, having no buckler at hand to secure the king from
death, interposed his own body to receive the stroke; but the wretch
struck so home, that he wounded the king through the thegn’s body. Being
then attacked on all sides with swords, he in that confusion also slew
another soldier, whose name was Forthhere.