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ETHELRED THE UNREADY.

"As tedious as a King."

SHAKESPEARE.

"This Boy will turn out a Poltroon and a Coward." St. Dunstan's Declaration at the Baptism of this Prince.

"Il paroit Maitre de tout les autres Hommes: Mais il "n'est pas Maitre de lui meme.

"On Voyoit plusieurs de ces Rois severement punis, non "pour les Maux qu'ils avoient faits, mais pour avoir neglige "le biens quils auroient du faire.”

FENELON.

LITTLE recorded in this reign we find
But cowardice and cruelty combined;
Denmark again her warlike fortune tries,
And the "Norweyan banner flouts the skies;"
The fearful King pays tribute to the Dane,
Who partially retires; those who remain
In treacherous massacre are basely slain.

A full revenge th' unkingly act succeeds,
And ENGLAND in her every province bleeds;
Prelates and Nobles in the ruin share,

Nor sex nor age, the northern ruffians spare:

Our

Our seats of learning and its stores they burn,
Nor quit us but to menace swift return.
With Danish OLAVE came ambitious SwEYN,
Who here obtained a momentary reign;

And fell, as DUNSTAN'S tonsured tribe advance,
By spectred EDMUND's visionary lance;
CANUTE, too, vainly hail'd our Albion's Lord,
Sees ETHELRED by Londoners restored;
While gallant EDMUND flies to aid his sire,
And wake within his breast a noble fire;
In vain the pious son his King wou'd save,
Untaught by ills, to every vice a slave,
The Monarch sinks to an inglorious grave.

* The Monks reported that the spectre of Edmund, King of East Anglia, whose remains Sweyn had disturbed by laying the Abbey of Bury under military execution, fought under Duntan's banner.

SUMMARY

SUMMARY OF THE REIGN OF

EDMUND, SURNAMED IRONSIDE.

Born, A. D. 989. Began to reign 1016. Married Algitha, the English Widow of a Danish Noble, by whom he had issue, Edward, surnamed the Outlaw, (from living out of England during the ascendancy of the Danes); and Edmond. Reigned but nine months. Was murdered 1017. Buried at Glastonbury.

PRINCIPAL EVENTS.

Several battles with Canute, King of Denmark, and a single combat between that Monarch and Edmund, who divided the kingdom with him.

EMINENT PERSONS.

Livingus, Archbishop of Canterbury. Edric, Duke of Mercia, eminent for his treasons.

COTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS.

Pope.

Benedict VIII. 1012.

Emperors.

Of the East.-Basil II. 975.

Of the West.-Henry II. 1002.

Kings.

Of France.-Robert II. 997

Of Scotland.-Malcolm II. 1014.

EDMUND

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"Has come to Albion's white cliff'd shore.".

LEIGH HUNT.

"We fought with swords! a brave man shrinks not at "death! from my early youth I have learn'd to dye the "steel of my lance in blood."

MALLET'S NORTHERN ANTIQUITIES.

"How are the mighty fallen, and the perished!"

weapons

of war

2 SAMUEL, chap. i.

SHORT was thy reign, thou gallant youth!
Tho' famed for valour, worth, and truth;
Thine unsuspicious soul ne'er thought,
Man's honour could be sold or bought.
And, trusting EDRIC's hollow guile,

EDRIC, by stratagem most vile,

In

In Sherstan's fight, with artful lie,

Caus'd thine embattled ranks to fly.*

Yet keen thy sword, and strong thine arm,
Which taught CANUTE to shrink from harm;
And rather England's rule divide

Than thy fierce prowess more abide:
At ATHELNEY, where single fight,

Was arbiter of double right.†

EDMUND, tho' soon thy race was run,

Thy life immortal fame has won ;
Thy cruel death in endless shame
Involves a hated traitor's name:
For not a year thy reign had known,
'Ere murder mark'd thee for his own.
EDRIC, cursed EDRIC closed thine eyes,
And carried to CANUTE as prize

* Edric, observing the Danes gave ground, raised the bleeding head of a soldier on the point of a spear, and cried aloud, "Haro, Haro, flee Englonde! dead is Edmunde!" He afterwards betrayed Edmund at the battle of Asandone, or Ashdon, in Essex.

+ Edmund perceiving Canute at the head of his forces, rode off from his own, and Canute advancing, a furious combat ensued, in which neither having much advantage, they agreed to divide the kingdom. The author of the Medulla Historiæ Anglicanæ, says, Canute was wounded and first proposed forbear

ance.

Thy

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