X. THE betrayed Edmund disdained the death of CHAP. despair, and attempted new efforts to rescue his Edmund afflicted country. He retired to Gloucester; and, Ironside. such was his activity and eloquence, that a fresh 1016. army was around him before Canute overtook him. Edmund then challenged Canute to decide their quarrel by a single combat. 12 challenges SOME authorities 13 assert that they fought in the Edmund islet of Olney, near the bridge of Gloucester, a small Canute. plain almost encircled by the winding of the river; other chroniclers declare, that Canute declined the meeting 15; but the result was, that a pacification was agreed upon between the princes; and England was divided between them. Canute was to reign in the north, and Edmund in the south. The rival princes exchanged arms and garments; the money for the fleet was agreed upon, and the armies separated. 16 Snorre linga Saga, and the scalld Ottar, notice this conflict, p. 134. p. 72. 13 Huntingdon, 363.; Matt. West. 400.; Peterb. 36.; Knygt. 2316.; Bromton, 905.; Higden, 274.; Rieval, 364.; Rad. Nig. MS.; Vesp. D. 10. p. 25.; mention the duel. 14 The kings are stated to have caught each other's spears in their shields, and with their swords advanced to a closer conflict. Their battle lasted till the strength of Canute began to fail before the impetuosity of Edmund. The Dane is then described as proposing to the Anglo-Saxon an amicable arrangement, by dividing the kingdom. 15 These are Malmsb. 72. and the Encom. Emmæ, 169., two important authorities. The Saxon Chronicle, Florence, Hoveden, and some others, neither mention the challenge nor the conflict. The Knytlinga Saga is as silent, and this silence turns the scale against the combat. 16 Flor. Wig. 389. Sax. Chron. 150. VI. Edmund pacification. 1016. 17 BOOK THE brave Edmund did not long survive the He perished the same year. The Ironside. circumstances attending his assassination are variously given. Malmsbury mentions that two of his chamberlains were seduced by Edric to wound him at a most private moment with an iron hook; but he states this to be only rumour. The king's violent death, and its author, are less reservedly avowed by others. 18 The northern accounts go even farther. The Knytlinga Saga and Saxo carry up the crime as high as Canute. They expressly state that Edric was corrupted by Canute to assassinate Edmund. 19 Rise of win. A REMARKABLE character began his progress Earl God- to greatness in this reign: this was the famous earl Godwin, who possessed a power little less than sovereign for three reigns, and whose son Harold was the last of the Anglo-Saxon kings. His origin has never yet been mentioned in English history; but as the rise of poverty to grandeur is always an interesting contemplation, we will state the short history of Godwin's elevations. An herds man's son. THAT Godwin was the son of an herdsman, is a 17 Malmsb. 72. 18 As Hunt. 363.; Matt. West. 401.; Hist. El. 502.; Hist. Ram. 434.; Petrob. 37.; Ingulf, 57.; and many others. Hermannus, who wrote within fifty years after this event, says, "Nocte siquidem sequentis dici festivitatis Sancti Andreæ Lundoniæ perimitur insidiis Edrici Streane perfidissimi ducis." Cotton Lib. MS. Tib. B.2. The encomiast of Emma says, he was long and greatly lamented by his people, p. 171. 19"Erat tunc temporis inter Anglos vir potens, Heidricus Striona nomine. Is a rege Canuto pecunia corruptus est ut Jatmundum clam interficeret. Hoc modo Jatmundus rex periit." Knytl. Saga, p. 139. To the same purpose Saxo, "Memorant alii Edvardum clandestino Canuti imperio occisum," lib. x. p. 193. Snorre says, "Eodem mense Heinrikus Striona occidit Edmundum regem." Olafi Helga, Adam of Bremen says he was poisoned, p. 31. P. 24. X. Edmund fact recorded in the MS. Chronicle of Radulphus CHAP. Niger. This author says explicitly what no other has mentioned, "Earl Godwin was the son of an herdsman." It adds, that he was brought up by Canute. 20 How the son of a Saxon herdsman came to be brought up by Canute, the note will explain.21 20 It is a MS. in the Cotton Library, Vespasian, D. 10. In the second side of page 27., it says, "Godwinus comes filius bubulci fuit." It adds, "Hic Godwinus a rege Cnutone nutritus processu temporis in Daciam cum breve regis transmissus callide duxit sororem Cnutonis." 21 The Knytlinga Saga gives us that explanation which no other document affords. One of the Danish chieftains, who accompanied Canute to England, has been noticed to have been Ulfr, the son of Sprakalegs, who had married Canute's sister Astrida. In the battle of Skorstein, between Canute and Edmund, he fought in Canute's first line, and pursued part of the English fugitives into a wood so eagerly, that, when he turned to rejoin his friends, he saw no path; he wandered about it only to bewilder himself, and night involved him before he had got out of it. In the morning he beheld near him a full-grown youth driving cattle to their pasture. He saluted the lad, and enquired his name: he was answered, “Gudin,” or Godwin. Ulfr requested the youth to show him the tract which would lead him to Canute's ships. Godwin informed him that he was at a great distance from the Danish navy; that the way was across a long and inhospitable wood; that the soldiers of Canute were greatly hated by the country people; that the destruction of the yesterday's battle at Skorstein was known around; that neither he nor any soldier of Canute's would be safe if the peasants saw him; nor would the person be more secure who should attempt to assist an enemy. Ulfr, conscious of his danger, drew a gold ring from his finger, and proffered it to the youth, if he would conduct him to his friends. Godwin contemplated it awhile; but that greatness of mind which sometimes accompanies talents even in a lowly state, glowed within him, and, in an emanation of a noble spirit he exclaimed, "I will not accept your ring, but I will try to lead you to your friends. If I succeed, reward me as you please." He led Ulfr first to his father's humble mansion, and the earl received an hospitable refreshment. When the shades of night promised secrecy, two horses were saddled, and Ulfnadr, the father, bade the earl farewell. "We commit you to our only son, and hope, that if you reach the king, and your influence can avail, you will get him admitted into the royal household. Here he cannot stay; for, should our party know that 1016. BOOK VI. Edmund Ironside. 1016. he preserved you, his safety would be doubtful." Perhaps Ulfnadr remembered the high fortunes of his uncle Edric, who was now duke of Mercia; and hoped that, if his son could get a station in the royal palace, he might, like Edric, ascend from poverty to greatness. Godwin was handsome, and fluent in his elocution. His qualities and services interested Ulfr, and a promise to provide for him was freely pledged. They travelled all night, and in the next day they reached the station of Canute, where Ulfr, who was much beloved, was very joyfully received. The grateful Jarl placed Godwin on a lofty seat, and had him treated with the respect which his own child might have claimed. He continued his attachment so far, as afterwards to marry him to Gyda, his sister. To oblige Ulfr, Canute, in time, raised Godwin to the dignity of Jarl. Knytlinga Saga, 105. and 131-133. CHAP. XI. CANUTE the Great. CANUTE, from his warlike ability, surnamed the Brave; from his renown and empire, the Great; from his liberality, the Rich; and from his devotion, the Pious'; obtained, on Edmund's death, the sovereignty of all England at the age of twenty.2 THE Northerns have transmitted to us the portrait of Canute: he was large in stature, and very powerful; he was fair, and distinguished for his beauty; his nose was thin, eminent, and aquiline; his hair was profuse; his eyes bright and fierce.3 He was chosen king by general assent; his partisans were numerous in the country, and who could resist his power? His measures to secure his crown were sanguinary and tyrannical; but the whole of Canute's character breathes an air of barbaric grandeur. He was formed by nature to tower amidst his contemporaries; but his country and his education intermixed his greatness with a ferocity that compels us to shudder while we admire. In one respect he was fortunate; his 1 Dr. Hickes's dedication to his Thesaurus. name was Lambert. Frag. Isl. 2 Lang. 426. His baptismal name If so, he could 2 The Knytlinga Saga, and Olave Tryggvason Saga, state Canute to have been but ten years old at his father's death. be only twelve at his accession. This is not probable. speaks more truly. Snorre, in his Saga af Magnusi Goda, states Canute to have been forty when he died. This was in 1035; and therefore in 1016, he must have been twenty-one. Snorre's words are, Eodem autumno vita functus est rex Knutus potens in Anglia idibus Novembris natus tunc annos quadraginta," c. iv. p. 7. 3 Knytlinga Saga, p. 148. CHAP. XI. Canute the Great. 1016. |