1583 Edition | Book 2 | Page 152 
Close(fl. 794) [ODNB sub Æthelberht]
Daughter of Offa of Mercia; betrothed to Æthelberht of East Anglia
Æthelberht was murdered by Offa when he came to marry Ælfthryth. 1570, pp. 151, 154, 173; 1576, pp. 113, 115, 131; 1583, pp. 112, 114, 129.
Close(779/80 - 794) [ODNB]
King of the East Angles (794)
Son of Æthelred, king of the East Angles. Murdered by Offa of Mercia
Æthelberht came to Offa's court to marry his daughter. Offa had him murdered due to the counsel of his wife. 1570, pp. 151, 154; 1576, pp. 113, 115; 1583, pp. 112, 114.
Cynethryth, Offa's queen, suspected that Æthelberht was coming to Offa's court, under pretence of marrying their daughter, to murder him and the Mercians. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 131; 1583, p. 129.
Offa had Æthelberht brought in on his own and then had him beheaded. 1570, p. 173, 1576, p. 131, 1583, p. 129.
CloseFather of Æthelberht of the East Angles [ODNB sub Æthelberht
King of the East Angles C8
Offa of Mercia won victories over Eadberht of Northumbria and Æthelred of the East Angles. 1570, p. 173, 1576, p. 130, 1583, p. 129.
Close(d. 795) [Kelly]
Pope (772 - 95) Offered resistance to the Lombards with the aid of Charlemagne.
Adrian was a supporter of images, writing a book in support of their use and calling a synod to oppose Felix and others who spoke against them. He clothed the body of St Peter in silver and covered the altar of St Paul with gold cloth. 1570, p. 174, 1576, p. 131, 1583, p. 130.
Empress Irene had Pope Adrian exhume the body of Constantine Copronymus and burn it. She had the ashes thrown into the sea because Constantine had opposed the adoration of images. 1570, p. 176; 1576, p. 133; 1583, p. 132.
Adrian favoured the mass of St Gregory over that of St Ambrose. He called a council that ordained that Gregory's mass should be used universally, and Charlemagne executed the decree. 1570, p. 174, 1576, p. 131, 1583, p. 130.
After the death of Carloman, the brother of Charlemagne, Carloman's wife and children went to Pope Adrian I for protection. He turned them over, with Desiderius, king of the Lombards, to Charlemagne, who kept them in captivity in France. 1570, p. 175; 1576, p. 132; 1583, p. 131.
Charlemagne confirmed the donations to the papacy of his father and added more. He received from Pope Adrian I the title of patrician of the Romans. 1570, p. 174, 1576, p. 132, 1583, p. 131.
Charlemagne sent a letter to King Offa, praising Pope Adrian I. 1570, p. 175; 1576, p. 132; 1583, p. 131
Adrian was said to have granted to Charlemagne the right to choose and ordain the bishop of Rome. 1563, p. 10; 1570, p. 5; 1576, p. 4; 1583, p. 5
King Offa of Mercia established an archbishopric in Lichfield, with the agreement of Pope Adrian. 1570, p. 173, 1576, p. 130, 1583, p. 129.
Close(c. 740 - 804) [ODNB]
Trained at York and taught there; abbot of St Martin's, Tours; royal adviser; major figure in the renaissance in learning and letters under Charlemagne
Alcuin was sent to Charlemagne by Offa of Mercia in hopes of cementing peace between them. Charlemagne held Alcuin in high esteem and made him abbot of Tours. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 131; 1583, p. 129
Upon his return from France to England, Alcuin complained about the state of the country into which he had arrived in letters to Offa of Mercia, Æthelred of Northumbria and Æthelheard, archbishop of Canterbury. 1570, p. 176; 1576, p. 133; 1583, p. 132.
Ecgfrith, Offa's son and successor, reigned only four months. Alcuin said that he died, not for his own offences, but because his father had spilled much blood to guarantee his inheritance. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 131; 1583, p. 130.
Close(d. 802) [ODNB]
King of the West Saxons (786 - 802)
Married Eadburh, daughter of Offa of Mercia; probably died in battle against Ecgberht
Ecgberht of Wessex was initially expelled by Beorhtric. 1570, p. 149, 1576, p. 111, 1583, p. 110.
Offa of Mercia gave one of his daughters to Beorhtric in marriage. 1570, p. 173, 1576, p. 131, 1583, p. 129.
It was said to have rained blood in York in the second year of Beorhtric's reign. The Danes entered England seven years later, and Beorhtric and the other Saxon kings repulsed them. 1570, p. 176, 1576, p. 133, 1583, p. 132.
Eadburh, daughter of Offa and wife of Beorhtric, poisoned her husband. 1570, p. 176, 1576, p. 133, 1583, p. 132.
Close(742x747 - 814)
King of the Franks (768 - 814); king of the Lombards (774 - 814); emperor of the Romans (800 - 814)
Pope Stephen III called on Charlemagne for help against the Lombards; Charlemagne defeated King Desiderius and took over the rule of the Lombard kingdom. 1570, p. 174; 1576, p. 131; 1583, p. 130.
After the death of Charlemagne's brother Carloman, Carloman's wife and children went to Pope Adrian I for protection. He turned them over, with Desiderius, to Charlemagne, who kept them in captivity in France. 1570, p. 175; 1576, p. 132; 1583, p. 131.
Charlemagne confirmed the donations to the papacy of his father and added more. He received from Pope Adrian I the title of patrician of the Romans. 1570, p. 174, 1576, p. 132, 1583, p. 131.
Charlemagne granted to the clergy and people the right to elect bishops and to monks the right to elect their abbots. He was said to have received from Adrian I the right to choose and ordain the bishop of Rome. 1570, p. 5, 1576, p. 4, 1583, pp. 4-5
Charlemagne provided laws, rites and ordinances for the clergy and laity and called church synods. 1570, p. 9, 1576, pp. 7-8, 1583, pp. 7-8
Alcuin was sent to Charlemagne by Offa of Mercia in hopes of cementing peace between them. Charlemagne held Alcuin in high esteem and made him abbot of Tours. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 131; 1583, p. 129
Charlemagne sent a letter to King Offa, praising Pope Adrian I. 1570, p. 175; 1576, p. 132; 1583, p. 131
Pope Adrian favoured the mass of St Gregory over that of St Ambrose. He called a council that ordained that Gregory's mass should be used universally, and Charlemagne executed the decree. 1570, p. 174, 1576, p. 131, 1583, p. 130.
Charlemagne presided over the Council of Frankfurt, which rejected decrees of the Council of Nicea advocating the adoration of images. 1563, p. 4; 1570, p. 175; 1576, p. 132; 1583, p. 131
Charlemagne was crowned emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III. 1570, p. 175, 1576, p. 132, 1583, p. 131.
Eadburh, daughter of Offa and wife of Beorhtric, poisoned her husband, along with some nobles. She fled into France, where both Charlemagne and his son offered to marry her. When she chose the son, she was sent to a nunnery. She had an affair with a monk and was expelled. 1570, p. 176, 1576, p. 133, 1583, p. 132.
[Back to Top]Charlemagne built many monasteries, was generous to churchmen and to the poor, a triumphant warrior and skilled in languages. 1570, p. 175; 1576, p. 132; 1583, p. 131
Close(d. c. 754)
King of the Franks (743 - 51); last Merovingian king
Pippin the Short obtained Pope Zacharias's agreement to the title; Childeric was dethroned and tonsured on the orders of Pope Stephen II; placed in a monastery in 752
Boniface, archbishop of Mainz, on instruction from Pope Zacharias, authorised the deposition of King Childeric III of the Franks and confirmation of Pippin the Short as king. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Close(d. 715) [Kelly]
Pope (708 - 15); received as pilgrims King Coenred of Mercia and King Offa of the East Saxons; both became monks
Was in conflict with the monothelite eastern emperors
Popes Gregory II, Gregory III, Zacharias and Constantine were in conflict with the eastern emperors Philippicus Bardanes and Leo III. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Close(d. c. 757) [ODNB sub Sigeberht]
West Saxon ealdorman who supported King Sigeberht but was eventually killed by him; his death was avenged by a swineherd who killed the king
When Cumbra urged Sigeberht to treat his subjects with more consideration, the king had him killed. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Close(d. 786) [ODNB sub Cynewulf]
Brother of deceased king Sigeberht of the West Saxons; contender for the kingship in 786; fought Cynewulf, both died
While Cynewulf was visiting his mistress at Merton, Cyneheard attacked and killed him to avenge his brother's death. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Close(fl. c. 770 - 798) [ODNB]
Wife of King Offa and queen of Mercia; coins were issued in her name
Abbess of Cookham after her son Ecgfrith's death
Cynethryth suspected that Æthelberht, king of the East Angles, was coming to Offa's court, under pretence of marrying their daughter, to murder him and the Mercians. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 131; 1583, p. 129.
Cynethryth persuaded her husband to murder Æthelberht when he came to marry their daughter. 1570, pp. 151, 154; 1576, pp. 113, 115; 1583, pp. 112, 114.
She was reported to have died three months after the murder. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 131; 1583, p. 129.
Close(d. 786) [ODNB]
King of the West Saxons (757 - 86); drove out his predecessor Sigeberht
Fought Sigeberht's brother Cyneheard in 686 - both died
Cynewulf had the support of the West Saxons in driving out Sigeberht. He maintained his position against the might of King Offa of the Mercians. While visiting his mistress at Merton, he was attacked and killed by a kinsman of Sigeberht. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Close(d. 768) [ODNB]
Cousin of Ceolwulf of Northumbria
King of Northumbria (737 - 58); abdicated in favour of his son Oswulf; became a monk
He was brother to Ecgberht, archbishop of York. 1570, p. 171; 1576, p. 129; 1583, p. 128.
Offa of Mercia won victories over Eadberht of Northumbria and Æthelred of the East Angles. 1570, p. 173, 1576, p. 130, 1583, p. 129.
Eadberht abdicated and became a monk. 1570, p. 175, 1576, p. 132, 1583, p. 131.
Close(fl. 796 - 98) [ODNB]
King of Kent (796 - 98)
Priest; captured by Cenwulf of Mercia in 798. He was blinded and had his hands cut off
Ecgberht was said to have been taken prisoner to Mercia by Offa or Cenwulf. 1570, p. 173; 1576, pp. 129, 130; 1583, pp. 129, 30.
Cenwulf had Eadberht III Præn bound and taken prisoner into Mercia. Cenwulf later built a church at Winchcombe, invited Eadberht into it, and restored him to his throne. When he was released, Cuthred, king of Kent, and all the Kentish people celebrated. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 131; 1583, p. 130.
Close(fl. 789 - 802) [ODNB]
Queen of the West Saxons; consort of King Beorhtric 789; daughter of King Offa of Mercia; said to have accidentally poisoned her husband; entered a convent in Italy
Offa of Mercia gave one of his daughters to Beorhtric of Wessex in marriage. 1570, p. 173, 1576, p. 131, 1583, p. 129.
Eadburh, daughter of Offa and wife of Beorhtric, poisoned her husband, along with some nobles. She fled into France, where both Charlemagne and his son offered to marry her. When she chose the son, she was sent to a nunnery. She had an affair with a monk and was expelled. 1570, p. 176, 1576, p. 133, 1583, p. 132.
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Close(669 - 731) [Kelly]
Curator of the papal library; deacon
Pope (715 - 31); sent Boniface to Germany and consecrated him bishop
Boniface was consecrated bishop by Pope Gregory II and made papal legate to the Germans. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Popes Gregory II, Gregory III, Zacharias and Constantine were in conflict with the eastern emperors Philippicus Bardanes and Leo III. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Close(d. 741) [Kelly]
Pope (731 - 41) He was in conflict with iconoclast Emperor Leo III
Popes Gregory II, Gregory III, Zacharias and Constantine were in conflict with the eastern emperors Philippicus Bardanes and Leo III. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Foxe says Gregory III wrote the Dialogues attributed to Gregory I 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Close(fl. C8) [ODNB sub Æthelberht]
Servant of Offa of Mercia who, according to Gerald of Wales, lured, captured and beheaded Æthelberht of the East Angles on behalf of Offa
Gwinbert, at Offa's command, brought Æthelberht in on his own, then bound and beheaded him. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 131; 1583, p. 129.
Close(d. 792) [ODNB]
of Kentish origin; abbot of SS Peter and Paul's, Canterbury (762 - 65)
Archbishop of Canterbury (765 - 92); a rival archbishopric was sent up at Lichfield by King Offa
With the agreement of Pope Adrian, Offa set up an archbishopric at Lichfield. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Close(d. 741)[B. Neil www.roman-emperors.org]
Eastern Roman emperor (717 - 41); iconoclast
Emperors Philippicus Bardanes and Leo III were in conflict with popes. Leo was excommunicated by Gregory III. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Close(d. 782) [ODNB]
Kinswoman of Boniface; nun at Wimborne
Joined Boniface in Germany; had authority over the nuns working with him
Abbess of Tauberbischofsheim; influential at the courts of Pippin the Short and Charlemagne; allowed to enter Fulda to pray at Boniface's tomb
Leoba and Thecla were the only nuns allowed to enter Fulda. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Close(d. c. 714) [B. Neil, www.roman-emperors.org]
Eastern Roman emperor (711 - 13)
Came out publicly as a monothelite in 712; Pope Constantine refused to recognise him as emperor
Blinded, deposed and exiled by supporters of Anastasius II
Emperors Philippicus Bardanes and Leo III were in conflict with popes. Philippicus lost both his empire and his eyes. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Close(714 - 768)
Mayor of the palace of Neustria (741 - 51); mayor of the palace of Francia (747 - 51)
King of the Franks (751 - 68); first Carolingian king
Boniface, archbishop of Mainz, on instruction from Pope Zacharias, authorised the deposition of King Childeric III of the Franks and confirmation of Pippin the Short as king. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
In gratitude for Stephen's anointing, Pippin granted the exarchate of Ravenna and other areas of Italy to the see of Rome. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 131; 1583, p. 130.
Close(d. 757) [ODNB]
King of the West Saxons (756 - 57)
Murdered by a swineherd in revenge for killing Ealdorman Cumbra
When Cumbra, an ealdorman and supporter of Sigeberht, urged the king to treat his subjects with more consideration, Sigeberht had him killed. The king continued to mistreat his subjects, who deposed him, and he was killed by Cumbra's swineherd. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Close(fl. C8) [ODNB sub Leoba]
Kinswoman of Leoba; joined Boniface and Leoba in Germany
Abbess of Kitzingen; abbess of Ochsenfurt
Leoba and Thecla were the only nuns allowed to enter Fulda. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Close(d. 752) [Kelly]
Pope (741 - 52) Last of the Greek popes; maintained an active correspondence with Boniface, archbishop of Mainz
Was consulted concerning the rightful ruler of the Franks; advised that Pippin the Short should be king
Boniface, on instruction from Pope Zacharias, authorised the deposition of King Childeric III of the Franks and confirmation of Pippin the Short as king. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Popes Gregory II, Gregory III, Zacharias and Constantine were in conflict with the eastern emperors Philippicus Bardanes and Leo III. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
CloseAn ancient city and county of itself, having separate jurisdiction. Locally in the hundred of Bridge and Petham, lathe of St. Augustine, eastern division of the county of Kent. 26 miles south-east by east from Rochester. The city comprises the parishes of All Saints, St. Alphege, St. Andrew, St. George, The Holy Cross, St. Margaret, St. Martin, St. Mary Bredman, St. Mary Bredin, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Mary Northgate, St. Mildred, St. Peter and St. Paul, all in the Diocese of Canterbury, and with the exception of St. Alphege and St. Martin within the Archdeaconry of Canterbury. The living of All Saints is a rectory with St. Mary in the Castle and St. Mildred attached; St. Alphege is a rectory exempt, united with the vicarage of St. Mary Northgate; St. Andrew is a rectory with St. Mary Bredman annexed; St. George is a rectory with St. Mary Magdalene annexed; St. Martin's is a rectory exempt with St. Paul's annexed; St. Peter's is a rectory with Holy Cross annexed; St. Mary Bredin is a vicarage; and St. Margaret's is a donative in the patronage of the Archdeacon
[Back to Top]English information from Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of England (S. Lewis & Co: London, 1831)
Scottish information from Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland (S. Lewis & Co: London, 1846)
Welsh information taken from Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales(Lewis & Co: London, 1840)
The reason for the use of these works of reference is that they present the jurisdictional and ecclesiastical position as it was before the major Victorian changes. The descriptions therefore approximate to those applying in the sixteenth century, after the major changes of 1535-42. Except for the physical locations, which have not changed, the reader should not therefore take these references as being accurate in the twenty-first century.
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CloseHesse, Germany
Coordinates: 50° 33' 3" N, 9° 40' 31°
CloseA city and county of itself, but locally in the county of Stafford. 16.5 miles south-east by east from Stafford. Lichfield, jointly with Coventry, is an episcopal see. The city comprises the parish of St. Mary, part of which is in the southern division of the hundred of Pirehill; St. Chad, part of which is in the northern division of the hundred of Offlow; and St. Michael, divided between the northern and southern divisions of the same hundred. The cathedral close is extra-parochial. St. Mary is a discharged vicarage; St. Chad and St. Michael are perpetual curacies; all in the peculiar jurisdiction of the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield
[Back to Top]English information from Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of England (S. Lewis & Co: London, 1831)
Scottish information from Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland (S. Lewis & Co: London, 1846)
Welsh information taken from Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales(Lewis & Co: London, 1840)
The reason for the use of these works of reference is that they present the jurisdictional and ecclesiastical position as it was before the major Victorian changes. The descriptions therefore approximate to those applying in the sixteenth century, after the major changes of 1535-42. Except for the physical locations, which have not changed, the reader should not therefore take these references as being accurate in the twenty-first century.
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CloseWiltshire
OS grid ref: ST 815 325
& obsecramus per viuentem Deum & per filium eius Iesum Christum & per spiritum sanctum, vt recorderis quàm fugitiua sit vita præsens, & quam breuis & momentanea delectatio spurce [illegible text]carnis: & quam ignominiosum sit, vt breuis vitæ homo mala exempla in perpetuum posteris relinquat. Incipe ergo melioribus moribus vitam cōponere, & præteritos errores iuuentutis corrigere: vt hîc coram hominibus laudem habeas, & in futoro æterna gloria gaudeas. Valere celsitudinem tuam, & in bonis moribus proficere optamus.
[Back to Top]In this Epistle here is to be seene and noted, first the corruption and great disorder of lyfe, which alwayes from tyme to tyme hath bene found in these religious houses of Nūnes, MarginaliaThe corrupt lyfe of Nunnes noted. whose professed vow of coacted chastitie, hath yet neuer bene good to the Church, nor profitable to the common wealth, and least of all to themselues. Of such yong & wanton widowes, S. Paul in his tyme complaineth, 1. Tim. 5. which would take vpon them the wilfull profession of single lyfe, which they were not able to perform, but falling into damnable luxurie deserued worthily to be reprehended. How much better had it bene for these lasciuious Nunnes not to haue refused the safe yoke of christian matrimonie, then to intangle themselues in this their superstitious vow of perpetuall maidēhood, which neither was required of them, nor they were able to keepe.
[Back to Top]Secondly, no lesse are they also to be reprehēded, which mainetayned these superstitious orders of vnprofitable Nunnes and of other religions: In the number of whom was this foresayd Boniface otherwise called Winfride, who although in this epistle doeth iustly reprehend the vicious enormities both of secular, and of religious persons: yet he himself is not without the same or rather greater reprehēsion, MarginaliaThe popish actes and doynges of Boniface Archbishop of Magunce. for that hee gaue the occasion thereof in maintaining such superstitious orders of such lasciuious Nunnes and other religions, & restraining the same from lawfull mariage. For so we finde of him in stories that hee was a great setter vp & vpholder of such blinde superstition, and of all Poperie. Who being admitted by Pope Gregory the secōd, Archbishop of Magunce, and indued wt full authoritie legantine ouer the Germanes, brought diuers countreys there, vnder the Popes obedience: held many great Coūcels, ordained Bishops, builded Monasteries, canonised Saints, commaunded reliques to be worshipped, permitted religious fathers to cary about Nunnes with them a preaching. Amongst all other he founded the great monastery of Fulda in Germany of English monkes: MarginaliaThe Monastery of Fulda in Germany, builded by Boniface. into the which no women might enter, but only Lieba, & Tecla, two English Nunnes. Item, by the authoritie of þe said Archbishop Boniface, which he receiued frō Pope Zacharie, Childericus king of Fraunce, was deposed from the right of his crowne: and Pipinus betraier of his maister was cōfirmed, or rather intruded in. MarginaliaChildericus The French king deposed, and Pipinus intruded. From this Boniface proceeded that detestable doctrine which now standeth registred in the Popes decrees, Dist. 40. cap. Si Papa MarginaliaDict. xl. cap Si Papa. Which in a certaine Epistle of his, is this. That in case the Pope were of most filthy liuing, and forgetfull or negligent of himselfe, and of the whole christianitie, in such sort, that he led innumerable soules with him to hell: yet ought there no man to rebuke him in so doing. For he hath (saith he) power to iudge all men, and ought of no man to be iudged agayne.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaImages in Churches subuerted by Emperours, mayntained by Popes. In the tyme of this Archbishop, Pope Gregory the second, also Gregory the third, and Pope Zachary, and before these also Pope Constantine the first: wrought great maisteries against the Greeke Emperours, Philippicus, & Leo, and others, for the maintaining of Images to be set vp in Churches. Of whom Philippicus lost both his Empire and also his eyes. MarginaliaPhilippicus for holding agaynst Images, lost hys Empyre & his eyes. Leo for the same cause likewise was excommunicate of Gregory the third. MarginaliaThe author of the booke called the dialogues of Gregory. This Gregory the third (so farre as I can coniecture) was he that first wrote the foure bookes of Dialogues in Greeke, falsely bearyng the name of Gregory the first, which bookes afterward Zachary hys successour translated out of Greeke into Latin. Item, the same Gregory the third, first brought into the Masse Canō, the clause for reliques beginning, Quorum solemnitates hodie in conspectu, &c. Item, brought into the sayd Canon the memoriall, the offring, and sacrifice for the dead: MarginaliaMemoriall of reliques, offring and sacrifice for the dead brought into the masse Canon. Lyke as Zachary brought in the Priests vesture and ornaments: & as the foresaid Constantinus also was the first that gaue his feete to be kissed of the Emperours. MarginaliaThe Popes feete first kissed of the Emperours. But turne agayne into the course of our English story.
[Back to Top]In the tyme of this Egbert king of Northumberland, Sigebert or Sigbert raigned in Westsaxony: MarginaliaSegebert king of Westsaxons. a man of so cruell tyranny to his subiectes (turning the lawes & customs of his forefathers after his owne will and pleasure) that when he was somewhat sharpely aduertised by one of his nobles, an Earle called Combranus, to chaūge his maners, and to behaue him more prudently toward his people: hetherfore maliciously caused him to be put to a cruell death. Whereupon, the sayd king Sigebert continuing in his cruell conditions, by his subiectes conspyring agaynst hym, was put from his kingly dignity: and brought into suche desolation, that wandring alone in a wood without comfort, was there slayne euen by the swineheard of the sayd Earle, MarginaliaSigebert slayne. whom before he had so wrongfully murdered, as partly is aboue touched: whereby is to be seene, the cruell tyranny of Princes neuer to prosper well, without the iust reuenge both of God and man. MarginaliaCruell tyranny with like cruelty reuenged.
[Back to Top]This Sigebert being slayne, in his place succeeded Kenulphus, in the yeare of our Lord 748. MarginaliaKenulphus king of Westsaxons. Anno. 748. who with the agreemēt of the Westsaxons was one of the chiefe doers against Sigebert his Maister. This Kenulphus kept stronglye his Lordship against Offa, and agaynst the power of all hys enemies: till at length, after that he had raigned, as Fabian sayth 31. yeares, he resorting to a paramour which he kept at Merton, was there beset & likewise slayne by the trayn and meanes of a certayne kinsman of the foresayd Sigebert, named Clito or Cliton, in reuengement of king Sigebertes death. MarginaliaMurder reuenged with murder.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaOffa King of Mercia. Moreouer in the raigne of the foresayd Egbert kyng of Northumberland, and in the viij. yeare of Kenulphus king of Westsaxons: Offa after he had slayne the tyraunt Beoruredus, which before had slayne Ethelwald kyng of Mercia, and Vncle to this foresayde Offa: raigned King of that Prouince.
[Back to Top]Of this Offa are told many notable deedes, which because they concerne politicall affaires, and doe not greatly appertayne to the purpose of this ecclesiastical history, I omit here to recite. As his warres and victories against Egbert & the Northumbres, as also against Etheldred king of East Angles. Item, against Egbert king of Kent, otherwise called Wren, whom Fabian saith he tooke prisoner, & led him bound with him to Mercia. MarginaliaAn vntruth noted in the story of Fabianus. Malmesbury witnesseth otherwise, this to be done not by Offa, but by Kenulphus, as Christ willing hereafter shall appeare. After these victories Offa had such displeasure vnto the Citizens of Canterbury, that he remooued the Archbishops sea, and landes of Lambrith Archbishop of Caunterbury (by the agreement of Pope Adrian) vnto Lichfield. MarginaliaThe primacy of Canterbury remoued to Lichfield. Lambrith Archbishop of Cant. He also chased the Britaines or Welchmen into Wales, and made a famous dyke betwene Wales and the vtter bonds of Mercia or middle England, which was called Ofditche. And builded there a Church which long tyme after was called Offekyrke. This Offa also married one of his daughters to Brightricus that was king of Westsaxons. And for that in his tyme was variance betwene him and the Frenchmen, in so much that the passage of merchants was forbidden: therfore he sent Alcuinus a learned man, MarginaliaThis Alcuinus is commended for hys learning nex to Adelmus and Bede aboue all Saxons. vnto Charles the great, then king of France, to common the meanes of peace: which Charles had after that, þe said Alcuinus in great fauour and estimation, and afterward made him Abbot of Turonia in Fraunce.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaEthelbert king of Eastangles wrongfully murdered by Offa. About the latter tyme of the raigne of Offa, kyng of Mercia: Ethelbert beyng then kyng of Eastangles (a learned and a right godly Prince) came to the Court of Offa prouoked by the counsell of his Nobles, to sue for the mariage of his daughter, wel accompanied like a prince, with his men about him. Wherupon, the Queene conceiuyng a false suspicion, and fearing that which was neuer minded: that Ethelbert with his company vnder the pretence and made matter of mariage, was come to worke some violence against her husband, and the kingdom of Mercia, so she perswaded with king Offa: MarginaliaThe vayne suspicion and wicked counsell of a woeman. and certrine of her counsel that night: that the next day followyng, Offa caused him to be trayned into his pallace alone from his company, by one called Guymbertus: who tooke him and bound him, & there stroke of his head, which forthwith he thā presented to the king & Queene. And thus the innocent king Ethelbert was wrongfully murthered, about the yeare of our Lord, 793. but not without a iust reuenge at Gods hand. MarginaliaEx historia Iornalensi & Malmesberiensi. Cruell murder reuenged. For as the story recordeth, the foresayd Queene worker of this villanie, liued not iij. monthes after: and in her death was so tormented, that she was fayne to bite and rent her tong in pieces with her owne teeth. Offa vnderstanding at length the innocencie of this king, and the haynous cruelty of his fact: gaue the tēth part of his goods to holy church and to the church of Hereford, in remembraunce of this Ethelbert, he bestowed great landes. Moreouer, builded the Abbey of S. Albons, with certayne other monasteries beside. And so afterward he went vp to Rome for his penāce, where he gaue to the Church of S. Peter a peny through euery house in his dominion, which was called commōly Romeshot, or Peter pence, payed to the Church of S. Peter: MarginaliaOffa and Kenredus of Kinges made monkes at Rome. and there at length was transformed from a king to a monke, about the yeare of our Lord. 794. with Kenredus
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