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The boys and women were speedily on the roof pouring water in all directions, in case the wind should deposit the burning brands upon the structure. Meanwhile flights of arrows came from the distance, and settled around them; but they were spent before arrival in most cases, for the defenders kept the ground clear for ...
"It will soon be darker again." "But is it fire? Are they burning the house?" "No, dearest. They have set the farm on fire. It cannot hurt us." "But the horses, and my poor little pony?"
"Are safe, dearest one. The Etheling went and let them all loose." "Oh! how good of him. I am so glad." "Mother, let Hermann come and sit with us!" "Nay, he will out to the fight. He is a boy, and must learn to be a soldier."
"Oh, but he will get hurt, perhaps killed." "Courage, dear child; remember how often I have told you how God helps those who trust in Him. Say your prayers, your Pater and Credo, and ask God to take care of dear father and Hermann." "Mother!" said a voice. She locked up and saw Hermann, his forehead covered with blood....
She spoke a few words to the women, and all but two or three, who were too weak or ill, went forth to the work. One kiss she imprinted eagerly on his brow, and dismissed him back to his perilous task without allowing herself one sigh. "Now, dear ones," she said to the little girls, "keep quiet till mother comes back. I...
A long line, reaching to the brink of the river, was soon formed, and buckets were being passed from hand to hand. A loud cry, and a boy in the line fell from an arrow, which retained just sufficient strength to pierce his heart. Herstan and Father Cuthbert carried the corpse reverently within, the father remembering t...
Shouts mingled with shrieks. Sword, battle-axe, and spear did their deadly work through and above the palisade; arrows rained down from the roof and windows on the assailants, women and boys doing their part in that manner, while the men did theirs with battle-axe and sword on the bulwarks. In one or two places the pal...
"Yes, dogs, ye know me, and the prize ye have to win. Back, drunkards and cannibals, back to your royal parricide with the gleeman's greetings, and tell him Hela is waiting for him and his friend the accursed Edric." A shower of arrows was the only answer, but they missed the joints, and rattled harmlessly from the wel...
"They have retired," said Herstan, wiping the sweat from his brow and the blood from his axe. "Ay," said Edmund, "they will not now take the place by assault--they are not more than two to one, considering the losses they have sustained. They have lost twice as many as we. If we were a little stronger I would head a sa...
"Pass up the water to the roof, to the roof. We shall need all our hands now!" He rushed up himself, but charged Herstan to remain below, and see that, whatever happened, the defences were not forsaken for one moment. The defenders on the roof were prompt with their remedy; and no sooner did a flaming brand arrive than...
And now the Danish archers, drawing nearer, sent fresh flights of arrows on those who were labouring on the house top, and, killing several, drove the others away. The condition of the English was rapidly getting desperate. Edmund threw himself into the strife, and drove the foe back from the breach they had previously...
"Nay, nay," shouted Edmund, "we are not conquered yet; we can defend ourselves till daylight, or we can depart in order. Alfgar, bid the women and children prepare to leave the hall as the fire spreads; and you, Herstan, see that if the worst comes to the worst, the retreat to the river is made in order. We will defend...
"To the gate, to the gate! the villains have got the drawbridge down." He rushed to the spot himself, and found that some adventurous Dane had severed the chains and lowered the bridge in the momentary confusion of its defenders, and the gate was yielding before their strokes. He arrived; and that moment the gate fell....
"Herstan, conduct the retreat; Alfgar and I can keep them out for five minutes more." "All is lost! all is lost!" the cry arose within. "No; saved! saved!" cried Father Cuthbert from the roof. "What! Englishmen, to the rescue! to the rescue!" The Danes suddenly wavered, then turned in surprise and despair; for from the...
"One charge!" said Edmund; and, rushing forward, led the way into the heart of the foe. . . . . . . The Danes who had attacked the house of Herstan were so far in advance of their countrymen that they were forced to retreat instantly before the superior force which came to the rescue of the besieged; and they fell back...
But there was no longer need for his protection. He had saved the mansion and all its inmates, as they most readily owned. And now he received all the loving care and attention he deserved. Meanwhile the English continued the pursuit until a small remnant of Danes repassed the river; only a small remnant of the party w...
In the Aescendune Woods, Easter Tide, 1007.-- Here I am at home, if I may call these woods home, once more, having spent my Lent with my brethren in the monastery of Abingdon. We are a very large party: Herstan and all his family are here, the Etheling Edmund, and Alfgar. We all travelled together from Abingdon. Passin...
But the woods were so fresh and delightful to men like ourselves, who have but just escaped from the confinement of the town. Blessed, thrice blessed, are they who dwell in the woods, God's first temples, apart from strife and the turmoil of arms! So spake I to my companions. The while the birds from each tree and bush...
"We shall bring our dinner with us," quoth the boy. At this point I found great difficulty. A brook coming down from the hills had overflowed the land until a swamp or quagmire had been formed, whereon huge trees rotted in slime, while creeping plants hid the deformity of decay. Our horses refused the path, and it took...
He pointed out to Alfgar and Hermann, who look upon him as a sort of demigod, all the capabilities of the place. "A few more steps, and we shall see our friends," said I; and we advanced until, from the summit of the pass, we saw the valley wherein they have found rest. They had worked well during autumn and winter, an...
By this time our approach was discovered, and I saw my brother, with a few serfs, advancing to meet us. It was a happy moment when we embraced each other again. And then he saw Alfgar, and embraced him as a son. They did not speak--their feelings were too deep for words. All that had passed since they last met must hav...
"It is true, then," said Elfwyn--"we hear scant news here--that peace has been bought?" "Yes, bought for thirty-six thousand pounds, by Edric's advice. I should like to know how much of the money he retains himself. He is hand and glove with Sweyn. But I purpose deriving one benefit from the peace, upon which the Danes...
"Most willingly. I could desire nothing better," said my brother, smiling inwardly at the enthusiasm of the young warrior. The labourers had just returned from wood and field, and when Edmund was recognised he was greeted with vociferous cheers, which made the woods ring. But I cannot describe the meeting of Alfgar wit...
. . . . . . The voluminous pages of Father Cuthbert's diary for the years of bitter woe and misery which followed cannot be fully transcribed; they would fill a volume themselves, and we must content ourselves with a few extracts, which will probably interest our readers, and carry on the thread of the history to the p...
September 1007.-- We hear of an appointment which causes us much apprehension. The king Ethelred has appointed Edric Streorn ealdorman of Mercia; we are in his district, and fear it may bode evil to us all. Edmund is beside himself with rage; he vows that if Edric appears in these woods he will slay him as he would a w...
March 1009.-- Alas, we are grievously disappointed of our hope. The fleet is miserably destroyed; Brihtric, Edric's brother, a man like-minded to himself; accused Wulfnoth, the ealdorman of Sussex, of high treason; the ealdorman, knowing that he had no chance of justice, seduced the crews of twenty ships, and became a ...
July 1009.-- Bad news. Thurkill's fleet has landed at Sandwich. August 1009.-- Worse news. Another fleet of Danes, under Heming and Eglaf, has joined the former fleet, and both together are ravaging Wessex as far northward as Berkshire; we have sent all the men we can spare to join the army, but the king, persuaded by ...
St. Martin's Mass,-- One of our men has returned from the army. He states that forces being gathered from all parts of England, the Danes were waylaid, and must have been beaten, but that Edric persuaded the king not to fight when the victory was in his hands, and so they escaped. St. Brice's Day, 1009.-- This ill-omen...
London has hitherto gallantly resisted their attacks. Edric Streorn has married the king's daughter, Edmund's half-sister, Elgitha. Is this a time to be "marrying and giving in marriage"? Edmund is frantic about it. February 1010.-- Woeful news. Herstan and all his family, who had returned in peace to their dwelling, h...
But, worst of all, Abingdon is destroyed; the holy house which has been a house of prayer so many generations! Keeping in their course, they burned Clifton; but the alarm was given in time, and the people escaped. There was no chance of defence this time. Then they attacked Dorchester, and burned part of the city, but ...
A sorrowful Ascension Tide indeed! They have landed in East Anglia. A battle has been fought and lost. Nearly all the English leaders slain. Whitsuntide.-- We can hardly keep the festival, the people are so excited by the news; all Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire (once more) are laid waste. They are on the road to Bedf...
July.-- The Danes elude all our troops. Edric persuades the king to go eastward, and the Danes are westward. They go westward, and the Danes are eastward. There is no chieftain. A witan is summoned; it will do no good. November.-- Northampton has fallen, cruelly fallen. The town is burned, and all therein slain.
Edmund and Alfgar, with not more than half our men, have returned with the news. Hermann is seriously wounded, but bears it bravely. He is only sixteen now. There is mourning over all our fallen heroes; but they have died so bravely. Edmund says they have slain far more than twice their number of the marauders. Still h...
Woe is me! the Danes have broken the peace; and Canterbury, the chief seat of English Christendom, whence came to us the blessed Gospel, is taken and burnt. Elfmar, the abbot of St. Augustine's--O false shepherd! O wolf in sheep's clothing! betrayed it. The archbishop is prisoner. God and the blessed saints preserve hi...
Tribute has again been paid, and there is peace awhile. Thurkill, with forty ships, sweareth to serve King Ethelred and defend the country if he will feed and pay them. Oh that the martyr's intercessions may be heard for his afflicted country {xiii}. August 1013.-- This fatal month our own neighbourhood, indeed nearly ...
We found now how wisely we had decided not to rebuild Aescendune. Not a hall, farm, or cottage, escaped fire and sword, save those hidden in the forest like us. Edmund has lost many men in the course of the last few months; and with the remainder he hid in our woods, ready to protect us "to the last breath," as he said...
God has at length bared His arm: Sweyn is no more. The blasphemer and parricide is gone to his dread account. On the eve of the festival he filled up the measure of his damnation by daring to exact an enormous tribute from the town where rests the uncorrupt body of the precious martyr St. Edmund, which even the pagan D...
Lent, 1014.-- Ethelred has returned, and is again king; he has promised to amend his evil ways, and to be ruled by faithful and wise counsellors. All England has rallied round the descendant of Edgar. Canute has fled. Eastertide.-- Edmund has returned to court. His father has received him graciously. Alfgar is with him...
June 1015.-- Herstan is here, and has brought us sad news. A great council has just been held at Oxford, whereat Edric Streorn, to the indignation of all men, sat at the king's right hand. Would this had been all! He invited Sigeferth and Morcar, two of the chief Thanes in the seven burghs, to supper with him; and ther...
October 1015.-- Alas! the Divine vengeance has not slumbered long after the late cruel deed. Canute is in England again. Edmund brought his wife here, asking us to take care of her. She is a gentle lady, worn down with care. He has gone, in conjunction with Edric, to fight Canute. I dread this conjunction. Edmund would...
Epiphany, 1016.-- There is war all over the land--civil war. It is not to be wondered at. But many Englishmen have given their allegiance to Canute, who now professes himself a Christian, saying they will not serve Ethelred any more. So Edmund and Canute are both, I fear, ravaging the land, for Edmund has threatened mo...
CHAPTER XIX. THE ROYAL DEATHBED. It was the evening of a stormy day in April when a band of five hundred men, well armed and equipped, were seen approaching the Moor Gate of London. Their leader rode in front, a stalwart warrior, whose eagle eye and dauntless brow told of one born to command. By his side rode a younger...
"Then the city yet holds out, and Canute has not arrived. We are yet in time." "The messenger said that their ships could not ascend the river while the west wind blew, and it is blowing hard enough tonight." "Well, when they come they may find London a hard nut even for Canute to crack. The citizens of London are true...
"Doubtless they think Canute is approaching. Ride rapidly, we shall soon undeceive them." They rode within bow shot of the gates, which were closed, and there they paused, for a score of bowmen held their shafts to their ears. Edmund, for our readers have long recognised him, bade his forces halt, and advanced alone, w...
Well they might, for their need was sore. Canute was near, his ships had been seen entering the Thames, and his determination to take the city, which had so often resisted the Danish arms, had been freely and frankly expressed. "Ah, well you know me, my countrymen, for a true Englishman!--one in whose veins your blood ...
"They say he is at death's door," was the reply. "Then I may not tarry, good people. All thanks for your welcome, which I hope I may live to repay, but just now my place is by my father's side. I may not now delay till I come to him." So the people made way without discontinuing their acclamations, and Edmund and his t...
Edmund replied not, but hurried his pace as he gazed at the darkening outlines of the rude structure, which stood within the outer walls, yet remaining, of the temple of Diana, which in Roman times had occupied the same spot. They descended the hill towards the Fleet, but paused while yet within the walls. The ancient ...
And the troops broke up to receive such hospitality as the straitened times permitted men to indulge in. The officers found a welcome in the palace, amongst the royal guard. The citizens contended who should entertain the rest. Edmund passed through the great hall, where the general silence struck him forcibly, telling...
"Your royal brothers, the Ethelings Edward and Alfred, the Princess Edgitha, and the Queen {xv}." "Has not the bishop arrived?" "He is in the chapel at this moment; the king declined to see him, he will not believe he is dying; but the bishop waits in prayer." "Lead me to his chamber," said Edmund.
Re-entering the great hall, the chamberlain and prince ascended the broad staircase which conducted to the upper chambers, and passing along a passage thickly strewn with rushes to deaden the sound, for carpets were unknown, they came to a door at the end, where the chamberlain paused and knocked. Loud ravings, as of o...
"He is in delirium, his ravings are very painful." "I hear," said Edmund; "how long has he been in this state?" "Only a few hours, and he has constantly imagined that men, who are long since dead, were about him; especially he calls upon Dunstan, then upon St. Brice, then he calls for his son-in-law, Edric." "Ah, Edric...
"Yes; but Edric is with Canute, I hear." "I wish he were with Satan, in his own place," said Edmund, fiercely, forgetting all Christian charity at the hated name. "It is devoutly to be wished; but he is quiet, we may enter now." The king, exhausted by his own violent emotions, lay back upon the bed, which occupied the ...
His face, which time and evil passions had deeply wrinkled, was of a deadly paleness; his eyes were encircled by a livid tint, and stared as if they would start from their orbits; his breathing was rapid and interrupted, but at the moment when Edmund entered he was silent. Standing on his left hand, wiping the perspira...
He was interrupted by the entrance of Edmund, his half-brother, whom he feared, because he could not understand so different a nature. "Our father has long pined for you," he said, in a timid voice; "I fear you are too late, and that he will hardly know you." "I have ridden from Aescendune day and night since the news ...
The dying man raised himself up and looked him full in the face, and a look of recognition came slowly. "Edmund!" he said, "I am so glad, you will protect me; take your battle-axe, you are strong. Sigeferth and Morcar, whom Edric slew at Oxford, have been here, and they said they would come back and drag me with them t...
The king rose up in his bed, glared fixedly at the prelate, and then shrieked aloud: "St. Brice! St. Brice! art thou come again? What dost thou glare at me for? 'Twas not I who defiled thy festival with blood. It was Edric, Edric! Why does he not come to answer for his own sin?" "If he did, I would brain him," muttered...
"O Edmund! Edmund! protect me." "My son," said the bishop, in a deep calm voice, which seemed to still the ravings of the king, "think of thy sins, repent, confess; the Church hath power to loose in her Lord's name, Who came to save sinners." "Yes, father, heed him," said Edward. "Father, you are dying, the leech says;...
The bishop held the crucifix before his eyes. "Gaze, my son," said he, "at the emblem of Him who died that thou mightest live, and say, 'O my God, I put Thy most pitiful passion between Thee and my sins!'" "Yes, father, hearken," said Edward. "I bethink me now that Gunhilda clung to the crucifix, and said she was a Chr...
"My son, my son, you throw away your salvation!" cried the bishop. "Father, show him the viaticum," said Emma. "It is useless; without repentance and faith 'twould but increase--" and the prelate paused. "Let us pray. It is all we can do." And all present knelt round the bed, while the plaintive cry arose from the lips...
"Kyrie eleeson: Christe eleeson: kyrie eleeson." And so the litany for the dying rolled solemnly along, with its intense burning words of supplication, its deep agony of prayer, its loving earnestness of intercession. But upon the dying sinner's ears it fell as an echo of the long, long past; of that day when the litan...
"See, they come to drag me thither; they all come--Edward; the victims whom I slew sixteen years agone in Cumbria; the slain on St. Brice's day; Elfhelm of Shrewsbury and his sons, with their empty sockets, and their eyes hanging down; Sigeferth, Morcar, and a thousand others. See, Dunstan bids them all await me at the...
"We must leave him to God's mercy," said the bishop, as he closed the eyes, while the wife and children of the unhappy king sobbed around. "He knoweth whereof we are made; He remembereth that we are but dust." Yet he trembled as he spoke, and, kneeling down, completed with faltering voice the office for the commendatio...
But the citizens of London were of nobler mould, and, disdaining submission, chose Edmund to be their king. A council was at once held, and it became apparent that the allegiance of the greater part of Wessex depended upon Edmund's prompt appearance amongst them, while, on the other hand, the rapid approach of Canute m...
A deputation from the council at once waited upon Edmund, and in the name of the city, and, as they took the liberty of adding, of every true man in England, they proferred him his father's crown. Like the citizens of a certain modern capital, they constituted themselves the representatives of the nation. Edmund, who c...
A few days later the archbishop was called upon to perform a very different ceremony, the coronation of King Edmund, which also took place in St. Paul's Cathedral, amidst tears of joy, and cries which even the sanctity of the place could not wholly restrain, "God bless King Edmund!" The solemn oath of fidelity was admi...
Reluctant as Edmund was to leave the city, it was evident that if he delayed another day he might indeed share the perils of the inhabitants, but would probably lose Wessex, where his immediate presence was all-important. Therefore he called Alfgar, and bade him prepare at once for a journey to the west. Their intended...
And, striking spurs into his steed, he and Alfgar rode across the Fleet river, and, ascending the rising ground, pursued their course along the Strand. "We shall have a moonlight ride," said the king. "Look, Alfgar, 'tis nearly full." "My Lord, do you see those dark spots on the river near Thorney Isle?" "Ah! I see the...
"But now, my Lord, had we not better strike into the northern road at once, before they see us? We are but two." "No; I should like to see them a little closer, and then across the heath for Windsor. They must have fleet steeds that catch us." So they persevered until they had attained a rising ground from which they p...
Here Edmund paused and looked round. The speed at which they rode had separated their pursuers, as he had expected, and one was far the foremost. "Stand by, Alfgar," he said; "two to one is not fair. I thirst for the blood of this accursed Dane." Alfgar knew that he must not dispute the royal will, although he thought ...
Another moment and they were both engaged. Alfgar foiled his opponent's first stroke, and wounded him slightly in return. Now the battle became desperate, attack succeeding attack, and parry, parry. Meanwhile Edmund had again laid his foe prostrate in the dust, but did not interfere; such was his chivalrous spirit in w...
Their enemies saw them and quickened their pace. They came to the spot where their countrymen lay prostrate, and the cry of revenge they raised, and the manner in which they urged their steeds forward, showed how strongly the sight appealed to their feelings. Onward flew pursuers and pursued--onward till Windsor's heig...
Dorchester now rose before them. They had accomplished fifty miles of hard riding that night. They were seen, challenged, and recognised, by a patrol without the gates, and the cry, "Long live King Edmund!" echoed from all sides. A thousand gallant Mercians, the nucleus of an army, each man fit to be a captain, awaited...
Every town they reached received them with enthusiasm. They were now near the birthplace of the great Alfred, where the hearts of the people were all thoroughly with their native princes; and men left all their ordinary occupations to strike one blow for King Edmund and England. Onward, and like a rolling snowball, the...
At this moment a horseman was seen riding wildly after them from the country in the rear. "See that man; he brings news," said Edmund, and the whole party paused. "Alfgar," whispered Edmund to his confidential attendant, "there is hot work coming; I have long since scented the foe behind." The messenger arrived, bowed ...
"Well, your message?" said Edmund; "you have ridden fast to bring it." "My lord, Canute, with an army of fifty thousand men, is following behind with all his speed." Edmund looked proudly around upon his host; it was almost equal in number. Then he looked with a soldier's eye on the ground before him, and saw that it w...
A loud cheer from those around him showed how he had succeeded in imparting his own brave spirit to others. The trumpets commanded a halt; and Alfgar and other riders bore the commands of the king to the extremities of the host. Each division took up rapidly the position assigned; for in this domestic war men fought si...
Edmund raised himself in the stirrups. "Englishmen! brethren!" he cried, "you see your foe, the ruthless destroyers of your land and kinsfolk; the pagan murderers of your archbishop, the sainted Alphege. God will help them that help themselves. It shall be ours to strike one glorious blow for liberty and for just venge...
"With such warriors," he said, "I need not fear Canute." The trench and mound were completed, but the enemy did not advance. He planted his black raven banner two miles off in the plain, arranged his forces, and halted for the night. "We must fight tomorrow at dawn of day," said Edmund. "Now, bid the campfires be light...
CHAPTER XXI. EDMUND AND CANUTE. The watch was duly set; campfires were lighted, and joints of meat suspended over them; barrels of wine and mead were broached, for all the country around contributed with loving willingness to the support of its defenders; and when hunger was appeased the patriotic song arose from the v...
Before it was over the trumpet announced some event of importance, and soon a messenger brought the tidings to Edmund that a large force was advancing from the west. All rose to look at them, not without anxiety; as yet they were far distant, across a wild moor, but as they drew nearer, and their standards could be mor...
He himself, with Alfgar, went through the host and then inspected the watch. When he came to the outpost nearest the foe he found Hermann on duty as officer of the watch, and spoke earnestly to him and his men. "Be on your guard," he said, "as men who know that the welfare of England depends upon them; if you see the l...
"I fancied I saw some figures seek the hollow where the ditch passes from us to them." "We will wait and see whether aught comes of it," said the king; "how do you like our prospects?" "Well, my lord, I would sooner be with you at this moment than in any other place in England." "Even than in Aescendune?"
"Yes; just now." "Alfgar, do you think your father yet lives?" said Edmund, as he again gazed upon the Danish camp. "I think not; I fear he is numbered amongst the dead; I have over and over again inquired of Danish prisoners whether they knew aught of him; they all said he had not been known in their ranks for years."...
"I shall never forget that, my lord." Here Hermann interrupted them. "My lord, would you look closely at that little clump of furze upon the banks of the brook?" "By St. Edmund, there they are! now to catch Danish wolves in a steel trap; creep back within the mound."
The whole guard was speedily aroused. "Shall we alarm the camp?" said Hermann. "Not for the world, they want all the sleep they can get; this will only be a reconnoitring party; did they find us asleep they would of course cut our throats, and then bring their brethren to attack the camp. As it is, I think we shall cut...
"Only to appear with more effect; they will be creeping like snakes coming to be scotched; they won't find a man like Edric at the head of the English army now--one who always chose the sleepiest and deafest men for sentinels. Ah, well! he is openly with the enemy now; I only hope he will come within swing of my battle...
A few moments, during which men could hear their own hearts beat, when up rose the Danes from the grass like spectres, and rushed for the mound. A storm of arrows met them, to which nearly half succumbed. Swinging his axe, Edmund, followed, by the rest, jumped from the mound to meet the survivors; numbers were nearly e...
"Good night, Hermann; good night, my men; wipe your swords on the grass; keep them bright." The morning dawned bright and radiant; and with the first appearance of the sun the horns of the English blew their shrill summons, and the whole army awoke as a man. A hurried meal was partaken of, hurried of necessity, for the...
Canute was doubtless somewhat surprised, yet he was learning to know Edmund. The English hero divided his army into three divisions: The right wing, where he posted around his own person the chosen band whom he had trained during the last few years of retirement; the left wing, chiefly composed of the men of Wessex; th...
Canute's voice was heard crying, "Now, warriors, behold the hounds ye have so often chastised await your chastisement once more." Edmund, on the other hand, "Victory, my men, or a warrior's grave! We will not live to see England prostrate beneath the tyrant any longer." Then came the rush: the crash of steel upon steel...
"Come, my men!" shouted Edmund; and with Alfgar by his side, followed by the whole of the English cavalry, burst upon the rear of the Danes. He and his cleft their way in--hewed it through living masses of flesh; trampled writhing bodies under foot; their very horses seemed to laugh at the spear and sword, until before...
Still, terrible in defeat, more than half fought their way out of the trap into which they had fallen, and retired upon their camp, closely pursued, until the trump of Edmund recalled the pursuers, anxious lest they should in turn fall into an ambuscade, for reinforcements were awaiting the Danes behind. . . . . . . Fr...
They began to yield; and it was as much as Edmund himself could do, by lifting his helmet, exposing his features, and shouting, "I live to lead you to victory!" to restore the battle. Canute retired upon London, followed closely by Edmund. Upon the road messengers came from Edric imploring the forgiveness of his injure...
The Danes soon emerged again, and, crossing the Thames, commenced plundering Essex, when Edmund and Edric, with all the flower of the Anglo-Saxon race, advanced to meet them once more. Nearly all the men of note in England followed Edmund's banner, for, now that his abilities were proved, there was a general enthusiasm...
With a faithful few, including both Alfgar and Hermann, nearly all of the party wounded, the English king rode sadly from the scene, groaning bitterly in spirit. "Why did I trust him again? Why did I trust him?" he kept muttering to himself. "You did not trust him. The council overruled you. I was present," said Alfgar...
And he persisted in his unavailing regret. It was a sad sight to see the field of battle strewn for miles with the dead and dying, while gangs of plunderers swarmed in all directions. One sharp encounter with such a party served to warm Edmund's blood, after which he was a little more cheerful. But the saddest scene in...
Yet, even at this awful crisis, Edmund's lion heart did not wholly fail him, as he left the field where lay all the flower of the Anglo-Saxon race: the brave and faithful Ulfketyl, Earl Ethelweard, Earl Godwin, Elfric the ealdorman, and well nigh all the great men of England, all sleeping in death. He rode to the south...
Canute's brave and impetuous temper caught the suggestion at once. Such appeals to the God of battles were common in the north, and he accepted the challenge. There is an island in the Severn, then called Oleneige, now called Olney Island. The following day both armies gathered together on opposite banks, and the two k...
But being crafty, and fearing lest his disadvantage should be apparent to Edmund, he collected all his energies and rushed furiously upon him, then withdrew himself aside, and desired Edmund to suspend the conflict for a while. "Generous prince," said he, "hitherto I have had a covetous desire of your kingdom, but now ...
Canute professed himself a Christian, and swore to govern his people according to the old English laws, and to preserve their temporal and spiritual privileges, a promise which, upon the whole, he well observed. And so England entered upon a peace of fifty years, only broken by an event yet in the womb of time, the Nor...