The Dragon and the Raven by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred), 1832-1902
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Transcript of The Dragon and the Raven by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred), 1832-1902
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Title:TheDragonandTheRaven:OrTheDaysofKingAlfred
Author:G.A.Henty
ReleaseDate:January,2003[Etext#3674]
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THEDRAGONANDTHERAVEN:OrTheDaysofKingAlfred
ByG.A.Henty
CONTENTS
PREFACEI.THEFUGITIVESII.THEBATTLEOFKESTEVENIII.THEMASSACREATCROYLANDIV.THEINVASIONOFWESSEXV.ADISCIPLINEDBANDVI.THESAXONFORTVII.THEDRAGONVIII.THECRUISEOFTHEDRAGONIX.APRIS0NERX.THECOMBAT
XI.THEISLEOFATHELNEYXII.FOURYEARSOFPEACEXIII.THESIEGEOFPARISXIV.THEREPULSEOFTHENORSEMENXV.FRIENDSINTROUBLEXVI.FREDAXVII.ALONGCHASEXVIII.FREDADISCOVEREDXIX.UNITED
PREFACE
MYDEARLADS,
LivinginthepresentdaysofpeaceandtranquillityitisdifficulttopicturethelifeofourancestorsinthedaysofKingAlfred,whenthewholecountrywasforyearsoverrunbyhordesofpaganbarbarians,whoslaughtered,plundered,anddestroyedatwill.Youmaygain,perhaps,afair
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conceptionofthestateofthingsifyouimaginethatatthetimeofthegreatmutinytheEnglishpopulationofIndiaapproachedthatofthenatives,andthatthemutinywaseverywheretriumphant.ThewholesalemassacresandoutrageswhichwouldinsuchacasehavebeeninflictedupontheconqueredwhitescouldbenoworsethanthosesufferedbytheSaxonsatthehandsoftheDanes.FromthisterriblestateofsubjectionandsufferingtheSaxonswererescuedbytheprudence,thepatience,thevalourandwisdomofKingAlfred.InallsubsequentagesEnglandhasproducednosinglemanwhounitedinhimselfsomanygreatqualitiesasdidthisfirstofgreatEnglishmen.Hewaslearned,wise,brave,prudent,andpious;devotedtohispeople,clementtohisconqueredenemies.Hewasasgreatinpeaceasinwar;andyetfewEnglishboysknowmorethanafaintoutlineoftheeventsofAlfred'sreign--eventswhichhaveexercisedaninfluenceuponthewholefutureoftheEnglishpeople.Schoolhistoriespassbrieflyoverthem;andtheincidentoftheburnedcakeisthatwhichis,ofalltheactionsofagreatandgloriousreign,themostprominentinboys'minds.InthisstoryIhavetriedtosupplythedeficiency.FortunatelyintheSaxonChroniclesandinthelifeofKingAlfredwrittenbyhisfriendandcounsellorAsser,wehaveatrustworthyaccountoftheeventsandbattleswhichfirstlaidWessexprostratebeneaththefootof
theDanes,andfinallyfreedEnglandformanyyearsfromtheinvaders.ThesehistoriesIhavefaithfullyfollowed.TheaccountofthesiegeofParisistakenfromaveryfullanddetailedhistoryofthateventbytheAbbeD'Abbon,whowasawitnessofthesceneshedescribed.
Yourssincerely,G.A.HENTY
CHAPTERI:THEFUGITIVES
Alowhutbuiltofturfroughlythatchedwithrushesandstandingonthehighestspotofsomeslightlyraisedground.Itwassurroundedbyatangledgrowthofbushesandlowtrees,throughwhichanarrowandwindingpathgaveadmissiontothenarrowspaceonwhichthehutstood.Thegroundslopedrapidly.Twentyyardsfromthehousethetreesceased,andarankvegetationofreedsandrushestooktheplaceofthebushes,andthegroundbecamesoftandswampy.Alittlefurtherpoolsofstagnantwaterappearedamongtherushes,andthepathabruptly
stoppedattheedgeofastagnantswamp,thoughthepassagecouldbefollowedbytheeyeforsomedistanceamongthetallrushes.Thehut,infact,stoodonahummockinthemidstofawideswampwherethewatersometimesdeepenedintolakesconnectedbysluggishstreams.
Ontheopenspacesofwaterheronsstalkednearthemargin,andgreatflocksofwild-fowldottedthesurface.Othersignsoflifetherewerenone,althoughasharpeyemighthavedetectedlightthreadsofsmokecurlinguphere
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andtherefromspotswherethegroundrosesomewhatabovethegenerallevel.Theseslightelevations,however,werenotvisibletotheeye,fortheherbageheregrewshorterthanonthelowerandwetterground,andthelandapparentlystretchedawayforavastdistanceinadeadflat--arush-coveredswamp,brokenonlyhereandtherebypatchesofbushesandlowtrees.
Thelittlehutwassituatedintheveryheartofthefencountry,nowdrainedandcultivated,butintheyear870untouchedbythehandofman,thehauntofwild-fowlandhumanfugitives.Atthedoorofthehutstoodaladsomefourteenyearsold.Hisonlygarmentwasashortsleevelesstunicgirdedinatthewaist,hisarmsandlegswerebare;hisheadwasuncovered,andhishairfellinmassesonhisshoulders.Inhishandheheldashortspear,andleaningagainstthewallofthehutcloseathandwasabowandquiverofarrows.Theladlookedatthesun,whichwassinkingtowardsthehorizon.
"Fatherislate,"hesaid."ItrustthatnoharmhascometohimandEgbert.Hesaidhewouldreturnto-daywithoutfail;hesaidthreeorfourdays,andthisisthefourth.Itisdullworkherealone.Youthinkso,Wolf,don'tyou,oldfellow?
Anditisworseforyouthanitisforme,pentuponthishummockofgroundwithscarceroomtostretchyourlimbs."
Agreatwolf-hound,whowaslyingwithhisheadbetweenhispawsbytheembersofafireinthecentreofthehut,raisedhisheadonbeingaddressed,andutteredalowhowlindicativeofhisagreementwithhismaster'sopinionandhisdisgustathispresentplaceofabode.
"Nevermind,oldfellow,"theboycontinued,"wesha'n'tbeherelong,Ihope,andthenyoushallgowithmeinthewoodsagainandhuntthewolvestoyourheart'scontent."Thegreathoundgavealazywagofhistail."Andnow,Wolf,
Imustgo.YouliehereandguardthehutwhileIamaway.Notthatyouarelikelytohaveanystrangerstocallinmyabsence."
Thedogroseandstretchedhimself,andfollowedhismasterdownthepathuntilitterminatedattheedgeofthewater.Herehegavealowwhimperastheladsteppedinandwadedthroughthewater;thenturninghewalkedbacktothehutandthrewhimselfdownatthedoor.Theboyproceededforsomethirtyorfortyyardsthroughthewater,thenpausedandpushedasidethewallofrusheswhichborderedthepassage,andpulledoutaboatwhichwasfloatingamongthem.
Itwasconstructedofosierrodsneatlywoventogetherintoasortofbasket-work,andcoveredwithanuntannedhidewiththehairysidein.Itwasnearlyovalinshape,andresembledagreatbowlsomethreefeetandahalfwideandafootlonger.Abroadpaddlewithalonghandlelayinit,andtheboy,gettingintoitandstandingerectinthemiddlepaddleddownthestripofwaterwhichahundredyardsfurtheropenedoutintoabroadhalfamilelongandfourorfivehundredyardswide.Beyondmovingslowlyawayasthe
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coracleapproachedthem,thewater-fowlpaidbutlittleheedtoitsappearance.
Theboypaddledtotheendofthebroad,whenceapassage,throughwhichflowedastreamsosluggishthatitscurrentcouldscarcebedetected,ledintothenextsheetofwater.Acrosstheentrancetothispassagefloatedsomebundlesoflightrushes.Thesetheboydrewoutonebyone.Attachedtoeachwasapieceofcordwhich,beingpulledupon,broughttothesurfacealargecage,constructedsomewhatontheplanofamoderneelorlobsterpot.Theywerebaitedbypiecesofdeadfish,andfromthemtheboyextractedhalfascoreofeelsandasmanyfishofdifferentkinds.
"Notabadhaul,"hesaidasheloweredthecagestothebottomagain."Nowletusseewhatwehavegotinourpen."
Hepaddledashortwayalongthebroadtoapointwherealittlelaneofwaterranupthroughtherushes.Thisnarrowedrapidlyandtheladgotoutfromhisboatintothewater,asthecoraclecouldproceednofurtherbetweenthelinesofrushes.Thewaterwasknee-deepandthebottomsoftandoozy.Attheendofthecreekitnarroweduntiltherusheswerebutafootapart.Theywerebentoverhere,asitwould
seemtoasuperficialobservernaturally;butacloseexaminationwouldshowthatthosefacingeachotherweretiedtogetherwheretheycrossedatadistanceofacoupleoffeetabovethewater,formingasortoftunnel.Twofeetfartheronthisceased,andtherushesweresucceededbylinesofstrongosierwithies,aninchortwoapart,archedoverandfastenedtogether.Atthispointwasasortofhangingdoorformedofrushesbackedwithosiers,andsoarrangedthatattheslightestpushfromwithoutthedoorliftedandenabledawild-fowltopassunder,butdroppingbehinditpreventeditsexit.Theosiertunnelwidenedouttoasortofinvertedbasketthreefeetindiameter.
Onthesurfaceofthecreekfloatedsomegrainwhichhadbeenscatteredtheretheeveningbeforeasabait.Theladleftthecreekbeforehegottothenarrowerpart,and,makingasmallcircuitintheswamp,camedownuponthepen.
"Good!"hesaid,"Iaminluckto-day;herearethreefineducks."
Bendingtheyieldingosiersaside,hedrewouttheducksonebyone,wrungtheirnecks,andpassingtheirheadsthroughhisgirdle,madehiswayagaintothecoracle.Thenhescatteredanotherhandfulortwoofgrainonthewater,
sparinglynearthemouthofthecreek,butmorethicklyattheentrancetothetrap,andthenpaddledbackagainbythewayhehadcome.
Almostnoiselesslyashedippedthepaddleinthewater,thehound'squickearhadcaughtthesound,andhewasstandingattheedgeoftheswamp,wagginghistailindignifiedwelcomeashismastersteppedontodryland.
"There,Wolf,whatdoyouthinkofthat?Agoodscore
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ofeelsandfishandthreefinewildducks.Thatmeansbonesforyouwithyourmealto-night--nottosatisfyyourhunger,youknow,fortheywouldnotbeofmuchuseinthatway,buttogiveaflavourtoyoursupper.Nowletusmakethefireupandpluckthebirds,forIwarrantmethatfatherandEgbert,iftheyreturnthisevening,willbesharp-set.Therearethecakestobaketoo,soyouseethereisworkforthenexthourortwo."
Thesunhadsetnow,andtheflames,dancingupastheboythrewanarmfulofdrywoodonthefire,gavethehutamorecheerfulappearance.Forsometimetheladbusiedhimselfwithpreparationforsupper.Thethreeduckswerepluckedinreadinessforputtingoverthefireshouldtheyberequired;cakesofcoarserye-flourweremadeandplacedintheredashesofthefire;andthentheladthrewhimselfdownbythesideofthedog.
"No,Wolf,itisnouseyourlookingatthoseducks.Iamnotgoingtoroastthemifnoonecomes;Ihavegothalfaoneleftfromdinner."Aftersittingquietforhalfanhourthedogsuddenlyraisedhimselfintoasittingposition,withearserectandmuzzlepointedtowardsthedoor;thenhegavealowwhine,andhistailbegantobeatthegroundrapidly.
"What!doyouhearthem,oldfellow?"theboysaid,leapingtohisfeet."Iwishmyearswereassharpasyoursare,Wolf;therewouldbenofearthenofbeingcaughtasleep.Comeon,oldboy,letusgoandmeetthem."
Itwassomeminutesafterhereachedtheedgeoftheswampbeforetheboycouldhearthesoundswhichthequickearsofthehoundhaddetected.Thenheheardafaintsplashingnoise,andaminuteortwolatertwofigureswereseenwadingthroughthewater.
"Welcomeback,father,"theladcried."Iwasbeginning
tobeanxiousaboutyou,forhereweareattheendofthefourthday."
"Ididnotnameanyhour,Edmund,"theboy'sfathersaid,ashesteppedfromthewater,"butIownthatIdidnotreckonuponbeingsolate;butintruthEgbertandImissedourwayinthewindingsoftheseswamps,andshouldnothavebeenbackto-nighthadwenotluckilyfallenuponamanfishing,whowasabletoputusright.Youhavegotsomesupper,Ihope,forEgbertandIareashungryaswolves,forwehavehadnothingsincewestartedbeforesunrise."
"Ihaveplentytoeat,father;butyouwillhavetowaittill
itiscooked,foritwasnouseputtingitoverthefireuntilIknewthatyouwouldreturn;butthereisagoodfire,andyouwillnothavetowaitlong.Andhowhasitfaredwithyou,andwhatisthenews?"
"Thenewsisbad,Edmund.TheDanesareeverreceivingreinforcementsfromMercia,andscarceadaypassesbutfreshbandsarriveatThetford,andIfearthaterelongEastAnglia,likeNorthumbria,willfallintotheirclutches.Nay,unlesswesoonmakeheadagainstthemtheywillcometo
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occupyalltheisland,justasdidourforefathers."
"Thatwereshameindeed,"Edmundexclaimed."Weknowthatthepeopleconqueredbyourancestorswereunwarlikeandcowardly;butitwouldbeshameindeedwereweSaxonssotobeovercomebytheDanes,seeingmoreoverthatwehavethehelpofGod,beingChristians,whiletheDanesarepagansandidolaters."
"Nevertheless,myson,forthelastfiveyearstheseheathenhavebeenmastersofNorthumbria,havewastedthewholecountry,andhaveplunderedanddestroyedthechurchesandmonasteries.AtpresenttheyhavebutmadeabeginninghereinEastAnglia;butiftheycontinuetoflockintheywillsoonoverrunthewholecountry,insteadofhaving,asatpresent,amerefootholdneartheriversexceptforthosewhohavecomedowntoThetford.Wehavebeenamongthefirstsufferers,seeingthatourlandslieroundThetford,andhithertoIhavehopedthattherewouldbeageneralrisingagainsttheseinvaders;butthekingisindolentandunwarlike,andIseethathewillnotarousehimselfandcallhisealdormenandthanestogetherforaunitedeffortuntilitistoolate.AlreadyfromthenorththeDanesareflockingdownintoMercia,andalthoughtheadventoftheWestSaxons
totheaidoftheKingofMerciaforcedthemtoretreatforawhile,Idoubtnotthattheywillsoonpourdownagain."
"'Tisapity,father,thattheSaxonsarenotallunderoneleading;thenwemightsurelydefendEnglandagainsttheDanes.IfthepeopledidbutriseandfalluponeachbandofNorthmenastheyarrivedtheywouldgetnofootingamongus."
"Yes,"thefatherreplied,"itistheunhappydivisionsbetweentheSaxonkingdomswhichhaveenabledtheDanestogetsofirmafootingintheland.OuronlyhopenowliesintheWestSaxons.UntillatelytheywereatfeudwithMercia;buttheroyalfamiliesarenowrelatedbymarriage,seeing
thattheKingofMerciaisweddedtoaWestSaxonprincess,andthatAlfred,theWestSaxonking'sbrotherandheirtothethrone,haslatelyespousedoneoftheroyalbloodofMercia.ThefactthattheymarchedatthecalloftheKingofMerciaanddrovetheDanesfromNottinghamshowsthattheWestSaxonprincesarealivetothecommondangerofthecountry,andiftheyarebutjoinedheartilybyourpeopleofEastAngliaandtheMercians,theymayyetsucceedincheckingtheprogressoftheseheathen.Andnow,Edmund,asweseenohopeofanygeneralefforttodrivetheDanesoffourcoasts,'tisuselessforustolurkherelonger.Iproposeto-morrow,then,tojourneynorthintoLincolnshire,totheAbbeyofCroyland,where,asyouknow,mybrother
Theodoreistheabbot;therewecanrestinpeaceforatime,andwatchtheprogressofevents.Ifwehearthatthepeopleofthesepartsarearousedfromtheirlethargy,wewillcomebackandfightforourhomeandlands;ifnot,IwillnolongerstayinEastAnglia,whichIseeisdestinedtofallpiecemealintothehandsoftheDanes;butwewilljourneydowntoSomerset,andIwillprayKingEthelberttoassignmelandsthere,andtotakemeashisthane."
WhiletheyhadbeenthustalkingEgberthadbeenbroiling
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theeelsandwildducksoverthefire.Hewasafreeman,andadistantrelationofEdmund'sfather,Eldred,whowasanealdormaninWestNorfolk,hislandslyingbeyondThetford,anduponwhom,therefore,thefirstbruntoftheDanishinvasionfromMerciahadfallen.Hehadmadeastoutresistance,andassemblinghispeoplehadgivenbattletotheinvaders.These,however,weretoostrongandnumerous,andhisforcehavingbeenscatteredanddispersed,hehadsoughtrefugewithEgbertandhissoninthefencountry.HerehehadremainedfortwomonthsinhopesthatsomegeneraleffortwouldbemadetodrivebacktheDanes;butbeingnowconvincedthatatpresenttheAnglesweretoodisunitedtojoininacommoneffort,hedeterminedtoretireforawhilefromthescene.
"Isuppose,father,"Edmundsaid,"youwillleaveyourtreasuresburiedhere?"
"Yes,"hisfatherreplied;"wehavenomeansoftransportingthem,andwecanatallytimereturnandfetchthem.Wemustdigupthebigchestandtakesuchgarmentsaswemayneed,andthepersonalornamentsofourrank;buttherest,withthegoldandsilvervessels,canremainheretillweneedthem."
Goldandsilvervesselsseemlittleinaccordancewiththeprimitivemodeoflifeprevailingintheninthcentury.TheSaxoncivilizationwasindeedamixedone.Theirmodeoflifewasprimitive,theirdwellings,withtheexceptionofthereligioushousesandtheabodesofafewofthegreatnobles,simpleintheextreme;buttheypossessedvesselsofgoldandsilver,armlets,necklaces,andornamentsofthesamemetals,richandbrightlycoloureddresses,andelaboratebedfurniturewhiletheirtablesandhouseholdutensilswereoftheroughestkind,andtheirfloorsstrewnwithrushes.WhentheyinvadedandconqueredEnglandtheyfoundexistingthecivilizationintroducedbytheRomans,whichwasfarinadvance
oftheirown;muchofthistheyadopted.TheintroductionofChristianityfurtheradvancedtheminthescale.
TheprelatesandmonksfromRomebroughtwiththemahighdegreeofcivilization,andthistonosmallextenttheSaxonsimitatedandborrowed.Thechurchwasheldinmuchhonour,greatwealthandpossessionswerebestoweduponit,andthebishopsandabbotspossessedlargetemporalaswellasspiritualpower,andboreaprominentpartinthecouncilsofthekingdoms.Buteveninthehandsomeandwell-builtmonasteries,withtheirstatelyservicesandhandsomevestments,learningwasatthelowestebb--solow,indeed,thatwhenPrinceAlfreddesiredtolearnLatinhecouldfindno
oneinhisfather'sdominionscapableofteachinghim,andhisstudieswereforalongtimehinderedforwantofaninstructor,andatthetimeheascendedthethronehewasprobablytheonlyEnglishmanoutsideamonasterywhowasabletoreadandwritefluently.
"Tellme,father,"Edmundsaidafterthemealwasconcluded,"abouttheWestSaxons,sinceitistothem,asitseems,thatwemustlookfortheprotectionofEnglandagainsttheDanes.ThisPrinceAlfred,ofwhomIbeforeheardyouspeak
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intermsofhighpraise,isthebrother,ishenot,oftheking?InthatcasehowisitthathedoesnotreigninKent,whichIthought,thoughjoinedtotheWestSaxonkingdom,wasalwaysruledoverbytheeldestsonoftheking."
"Suchhasbeentherule,Edmund;butseeingthetroubledtimeswhenEthelbertcametothethrone,itwasthoughtbettertounitethetwokingdomsunderonecrownwiththeunderstandingthatatEthelbert'sdeathAlfredshouldsucceedhim.Theirfather,Ethelwulf,wasaweakking,andshouldhavebeenbornachurchmanratherthanaprince.HenominallyreignedoverWessex,Kent,andMercia,butthelastpaidhimbutaslightallegiance.Alfredwashisfavouriteson,andhesenthim,whenquiteachild,toRomeforavisit.In855hehimself,withamagnificentretinue,andaccompaniedbyAlfred,visitedRome,travellingthroughthelandoftheFranks,anditwasthere,doubtless,thatAlfredacquiredthatloveoflearning,andmanyofthoseideas,farinadvanceofhispeople,whichdistinguishhim.Hismother,Osburgha,diedbeforeheandhisfatherstartedonthepilgrimage.Thekingwasreceivedwithmuchhonourbythepope,towhomhepresentedagoldcrownoffourpoundsweight,tendishesofthepurestgold,aswordrichlysetingold,twogoldimages,somesilver-gilturns,stolesbordered
withgoldandpurple,whitesilkenrobesembroideredwithfigures,andothercostlyarticlesofclothingforthecelebrationoftheserviceofthechurch,togetherwithrichpresentsingoldandsilvertothechurches,bishops,clergy,andotherdwellersinRome.TheysaythatthepeopleofRomemarvelledmuchatthesemagnificentgiftsfromakingofacountrywhichtheyhadconsideredasbarbarous.OnhiswaybackhemarriedJudith,daughteroftheKingoftheFranks;afoolishmarriage,forthekingwasfaradvancedinyearsandJudithwasbutagirl.
"Ethelbald,Ethelwulf'seldestson,hadactedasregentinhisfather'sabsence,andsoangeredwasheatthismarriage
thatheraisedhisstandardofrevoltagainsthisfather.AthermarriageJudithhadbeencrownedqueen,andthiswascontrarytothecustomsoftheWestSaxons,thereforeEthelbaldwassupportedbythepeopleofthatcountry;onhisfather'sreturntoEngland,however,fatherandsonmet,andadivisionofthekingdomwasagreedupon.
"EthelbaldreceivedWessex,theprincipalpartofthekingdom,andEthelwulftookKent,whichhehadalreadyruledoverinthetimeofhisfatherEgbert.Ethelwulfdiedafewmonthsafterwards,leavingKenttoEthelbert,hissecondsurvivingson.Thefollowingyear,tothehorrorandindignationofthepeopleofthecountry,Ethelbaldmarriedhis
stepmotherJudith,buttwoyearsafterwardsdied,andEthelbert,KingofKent,againunitedWessextohisowndominions,whichconsistedofKent,Surrey,andSussex.Ethelbertreignedbutashorttime,andathisdeathEthelred,hisnextbrother,ascendedthethrone.LastyearAlfred,theyoungestbrother,marriedElswitha,thedaughterofEthelredMucil,EarloftheGaini,inLincolnshire,whosemotherwasoneoftheroyalfamilyofMercia.
"ItwasbutashorttimeafterthemarriagethattheDanes
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pouredintoMerciafromthenorth.MessengersweresenttoasktheassistanceoftheWestSaxons.Theseatonceobeyedthesummons,and,joiningtheMercians,marchedagainsttheDanes,whoshutthemselvesupinthestrongcityofNottingham,andwerethereforsometimebesieged.Theplacewasstrong,thewinterathand,andthetimeofthesoldiers'servicenearlyexpired.AtreatywasaccordinglymadebywhichtheDaneswereallowedtodepartunharmedtothenorthsideoftheHumber,andtheWestSaxonsreturnedtotheirkingdom.
"Suchisthesituationatpresent,butwemaybesurethattheDaneswillnotlongremainquiet,butwillsoongatherforanotherinvasion;erelong,too,wemayexpectanotheroftheirgreatfleetstoarrivesomewhereoffthesecoasts,andeverySaxonwhocanbeararmshadneedtakethefieldtofightforourcountryandfaithagainsttheseheatheninvaders.Hitherto,Edmund,asyouknow,Ihavedeeplymournedthedeathofyourmother,andofyoursisterswhodiedininfancy;butnowIfeelthatitisforthebest,foraterribletimeisbeforeus.Wemencantakerefugeinswampandforest,butitwouldhavebeenhardfordelicatewomen;andthosemenarebestoffwhostandaloneandareabletogiveeverythoughtandenergytothedefenceoftheircountry.
'TiswellthatyouarenowapproachinganagewhentheSaxonyoutharewonttotaketheirplaceintheranksofbattle.Ihavesparednopainswithyourtraininginarms,andthoughassuredlyyoulackstrengthyettocopeinhand-to-handconflictwiththesefierceDanes,youmayyettakeyourpartinbattle,withmeononesideofyouandEgbertontheother.Ihavethoughtovermanythingsoflate,anditseemstomethatweSaxonshavedoneharminholdingthepeopleofthiscountryasserfs."
"Why,father,"Edmundexclaimedinastonishment,"surelyyouwouldnothaveallmenfreeandequal."
"Theideaseemsstrangetoyou,nodoubt,Edmund,anditappearsonlynaturalthatsomemenshouldbeborntoruleandotherstolabour,butthismightbesoevenwithoutserfdom,since,asyouknow,thepoorerfreemenlabourjustasdotheserfs,onlytheyreceiveasomewhatlargerguerdonfortheirtoil;buthadthetworacesmixedmorecloselytogether,hadserfdombeenabolishedandallmenbeenfreeandcapableofbearingarms,weshouldhavebeenabletoshowafarbetterfronttotheDanes,seeingthattheserfsareasthreetoonetothefreemen."
"Buttheserfsarecowardlyandspiritless,"Edmundsaid;"theyarenotofafightingrace,andfellalmostwithout
resistancebeforeourancestorswhentheylandedhere."
"Theirraceisnodoubtinferiortoourown,Edmund,"hisfathersaid,"seeingthattheyareneithersotallnorsostrongasweSaxons,butofoldtheywerenotdeficientinbravery,fortheyfoughtasstoutlyagainsttheRomansasdidourownhardyancestors.AfterhavingbeenforhundredsofyearssubjecttotheRomanyoke,andhavingnooccasiontousearms,theylosttheirmanlyvirtues,andwhentheRomansleftthemwereaneasypreyforthefirstcomer.Our
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fatherscouldnotforeseethatthetimewouldcomewhentheytoointurnwouldbeinvaded.Hadtheydoneso,methinkstheywouldnothavesetupsobroadalineofseparationbetweenthemselvesandtheBritons,butwouldhaveadmittedthelattertotherightsofcitizenship,inwhichcaseintermarriagewouldhavetakenplacefreely,andthewholepeoplewouldhavebecomeamalgamated.TheBritons,accustomedtoourfreeinstitutions,andtakingpartinthewarsbetweenthevariousSaxonkingdoms,wouldhaverecoveredtheirwarlikevirtues,anditwouldbeasonepeoplethatweshouldresisttheDanes.Asitis,theserfs,whoformbyfarthelargestpartofthepopulation,areapatheticandcowardly;theyviewthestrugglewithindifference,forwhatsignifiestothemwhetherDaneorSaxonconquer;theyhavenointerestinthestruggle,nothingtoloseortogain,itisbutachangeofmasters."
Edmundwassilent.Theverypossibilityofastateofthingsinwhichthereshouldbenoserfs,andwhenallmenshouldbefreeandequal,hadneveroccurredtohim;buthehadadeeprespectforhisfather,whoboreindeedthereputationofbeingoneofthewisestandmostclear-headedofthenoblesofEastAnglia,anditseemedtohimthatthisstrangeandnoveldoctrinecontainedmuchtruthinit.Still
theideawasasstrangetohimasitwouldhavebeentothesonofasouthernplanterinAmericahalfacenturyago.Theexistenceofslavesseemedasmuchamatterofcourseasthatofhorsesordogs,andalthoughhehadbeenaccustomedtoseefromtimetotimefreedombestoweduponsomefavouriteserfasaspecialrewardforservices,thethoughtofageneralliberationoftheslaveswasstrangeandalmostbewildering,andhelayawakepuzzlingovertheproblemlongafterhisfatherandkinsmanhadfallenasleep.
CHAPTERII:THEBATTLEOFKESTEVEN
Thefollowingmorningearlythelittlepartystarted.Thegreatchestwasdugupfromitsplaceofconcealment,andtheyresumedtheirordinarydresses.Theealdormanattiredhimselfinawhitetunicwithabroadpurplebandroundtheloweredge,withashortcloakofgreencloth.Thiswasfastenedwithagoldbroochattheneck;aneckletofthesamemetalandseveralgoldbraceletscompletedhiscostume,exceptthatheworeaflatcapandsandals.Edmund
hadagreentunicandcloakofdeepredcolour;whileEgbertwasdressedinyellowwithagreencloak--theSaxonsbeingextremelyfondofbrightcolours.
Allworedaggers,whosesheathswereincrustedinsilver,intheirbelts,andtheealdormanandhiskinsmancarriedshortbroad-bladedswords,whileEdmundhadhisboar-spear.Eldredplacedinthepouchwhichhungathissideabagcontaininganumberofsilvercubescutfromalongbarandroughlystamped.Thechestwasthenburiedagaininits
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placeofconcealmentamongthebushesnearthehut,Edmundplacedhisbowsandarrowsintheboat--notthatinwhichEdmundhadfished,butthemuchlargerandheaviercraftwhichEldredandEgberthadused--andthentheparty,withthehound,tooktheirplacesinit.TheealdormanandEgbertwereprovidedwithlongpoles,andwiththesetheysentthelittleboatrapidlythroughthewater.
AfterpolingtheirwayforsomeeighthourstheyreachedthetownofNorwich,towhichtheDaneshadnotyetpenetrated;here,procuringwhatarticlestheyneeded,theyproceededontheirjourneytoCroyland,makingagreatcircuittoavoidtheDanesatThetford.Thecountrywasforthemostpartcoveredwiththickforests,wherethewildboaranddeerroamedundisturbedbyman,andwheremanywolvesstilllurked,althoughthenumberinthecountryhadbeengreatlydiminishedbytheenergeticmeasureswhichKingEgberthadtakenforthedestructionofthesebeasts.Theirhalting-placeswereforthemostpartatreligioushouses,whichthenservedthepurposeofinnsfortravellers,beingfreelyopenedtothosewhomnecessityorpleasuremightcausetojourney.EverywheretheyfoundthemonksinastateofalarmattheprogressoftheDanes,who,wherevertheywent,destroyedthechurchesandreligioushouses,andslew
themonks.
Eldredwaseverywherereceivedwithmarkedhonour;beingknownasawiseandvaliantnoble,hisopinionsonthechancesofthesituationwereeagerlylistenedto,andhefoundthemonksatalltheirhalting-placesprepared,ifneedbe,totakeuparmsandfightthepaganinvaders,asthoseofMerciaandWessexhaddoneintheprecedingautumn.Thetravellers,onarrivingatCroyland,werewarmlywelcomed.
"Iheard,brother,"theabbotsaid,"thatyouhadbravelyfoughtagainsttheDanesnearThetford,andhavebeensorelyanxioussincethenewscameofthedispersalofyourforce."
"Ihavebeeninhiding,"Eldredsaid,"hopingthatageneraleffortwouldbemadeagainsttheinvaders.Myownpowerwasbroken,sinceallmylandsareintheirhands.ThepeopleofEastAngliafoolishlyseemtosupposethat,solongastheDanesremainquiet,thetimehasnotcomeforaction.Theywillrepenttheirlethargysomeday,for,astheDanesgatherinstrength,theywillburstoutoverthesurroundingcountryasadammed-upriverbreaksitsbanks.No,brother,IregardEastAngliaaslostsofarasdependsuponitself;itsonlyhopeisinthemenofKentandWessex,whomwemustnowlookuponasourchampions,andwhomayyetstemthetideofinvasionanddrivebacktheDanes.Thisabbeyofyoursstands
inaperilousposition,beingnotfarremovedfromtheHumber,wheresomanyoftheDanesfindentrancetoEngland."
"Itisnotwithoutdanger,Eldred,butthemenofthefensarenumerous,hardyandbrave,andwillofferatoughresistancetoanywhomayventuretomarchhitherward,andif,asIhope,youwillstaywithus,andwillundertaketheircommand,wemayyetforalongtimekeeptheDanesfromourdoors."
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Forsomeweeksthetimepassedquietly.Edmundspentmostofhistimeinhunting,beinggenerallyaccompaniedbyEgbert.TheSaxonwasanexceedinglytallandpowerfulman,slowandscantyofspeech,whohadearnedforhimselfthetitleofEgberttheSilent.HewasdevotedtohiskinsmenandregardedhimselfasspecialguardianofEdmund.Hehadinstructedhimintheuseofarms,andalwaysaccompaniedhimwhenhewentouttohunttheboar,standingeverbyhissidetoaidhimtoreceivetherushofthewoundedandfuriousbeasts;andmorethanonce,whenEdmundhadbeenbornedownbytheironslaughts,andwouldhavebeenseverelywounded,ifnotkilled,asweepingblowofEgbert'sswordhadridhimofhisassailant.
SometimesEdmundmadeexcursionsinthefens,wherewithnetsandsnareshecaughtthefishwhichswarmedinthesluggishwaters;or,havingcoveredhisboatwithaleafyboweruntilitresembledafloatingbush,driftedclosetotheflocksofwild-fowl,andwithhisbowandarrowsobtainedmanyaplumpwildduck.Smallerbirdswerecaughtinsnaresortraps,orwithbird-limesmearedontwigs.Eldredseldomjoinedhissoninhishuntingexcursions,ashewasbusiedwithhisbrothertheabbotinconcertingthemeasuresof
defenceandinorganizingabandofmessengers,who,onthefirstwarningofdanger,couldbedespatchedthroughoutthefenstocallinthefisherpopulationtothedefenceoftheabbey.
Itwasonthe18thofSeptember,870,thatamessengerarrivedattheabbeyandcravedinstantspeechwiththeprior.Thelatter,whowasclosetedwithhisbrother,orderedthemantobeadmitted.
"Icome,"hesaid,"fromAlgartheealdorman.HebidsmetellyouthatagreatDanishhosthaslandedfromtheHumberatLindsay.TherichmonasteryofBardenayhas
beenpillagedandburned.Algarisassemblingalltheinhabitantsofthemarshlandstogivethembattle,andhepraysyoutosendwhathelpyoucanspare,forassuredlytheywillmarchhithershouldhebedefeated."
"Returntotheealdorman,"theabbotsaid;"tellhimthateverylaybrotherandmonkwhocanbeararmsshallmarchhencetojoinhimunderthecommandoflaybrotherToley,whosedeedsofarmsagainsttheDanesinMerciaarewellknowntohim.Mybrotherhere,Eldred,willheadalltheinhabitantsofthemarshesofthisneighbourhood.Withtheseandthebrothersoftheabbey,inall,asIreckon,nighfourhundredmen,hewillto-morrowmarchtojoinAlgar."
MessengerswereatoncesentoffthroughthesurroundingcountrybiddingeverymanassembleonthemorrowmorningatCroyland,andsoonafterdaybreaktheybegantoarrive.Somewerearmedwithswords,somewithlongsickles,usedincuttingrushes,tiedtopoles,somehadfastenedlongpiecesofirontooarstoserveaspikes.Theywerearoughandsomewhatraggedthrong,butEldredsawwithsatisfactionthattheywereahardandsturdysetofmen,accustomedtofatigueandlikelytostandfirminthehour
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ofbattle.
Mostofthemcarriedshieldsmadeofplattedosierscoveredwithskin.Thearmouryoftheabbeywaswellsupplied,andswordsandaxesweredistributedamongtheworstarmedofthefenmen.Then,withbutlittleorderorregularity,butwithfirmandcheerfulcountenances,asmendeterminedtowinordie,thebandmovedoffunderEldred'scommand,followedbythecontingentoftheabbey,eightystrong,underlaybrotherToley.
Asturdybandwerethesemonks,wellfedandvigorous.TheyknewthattheyhadnomercytoexpectfromtheDanes,and,regardingthemaspagansandenemiesoftheirreligionaswellasoftheircountry,couldbetrustedtodotheirutmost.LatethateveningtheyjoinedAlgarattheplacetheyhadappointed,andfoundthatalargenumberofthepeopleofthemarsheshadgatheredroundhisbanner.
TheDaneshadnotmovedasyetfromBardenay,andAlgardeterminedtowaitforanotherdayortwobeforeadvancing,inordertogivetimetoothersfartherfromthesceneofactiontoarrive.
Thenextdaycamethecontingentsfromseveralotherprioriesandabbeys,andthesightoftheconsiderableforcegatheredtogethergaveheartandconfidencetoall.Algar,Eldred,andtheotherleaders,Morcar,Osgot,andHarding,movedaboutamongthehost,encouragingthemwithcheeringwords,warningthemtobeinnowayintimidatedbythefierceappearanceoftheDanes,buttoholdsteadfastandfirmintheranks,andtoyieldnofootofgroundtotheonslaughtoftheenemy.Manypriestshadaccompaniedthecontingentsfromthereligioushouses,andtheseaddedtheirexhortationstothoseoftheleaders,tellingthementhatGodwouldassuredlyfightontheirsideagainsttheheathen,andbiddingeachmanrememberthatdefeatmeantthedestruction
oftheirchurchesandaltars,theoverthrowoftheirwholereligion,andtherestoredworshipofthepagangods.
Edmundwentaboutamongthegatheringtakinggreatinterestinthewildscene,forthesemarshmendifferedmuchintheirappearancefromthesettledinhabitantsofhisfather'slands.Thescenesinthecampwereindeedvariedintheircharacter.Hereandtherewereharperswithgroupsoflistenersgatheredround,astheysungtheexploitsoftheirfathers,andanimatedtheirhearerstofreshfireandenergybyrelatinglegendsofthecrueltyofthemercilessDanes.Othergroupsthereweresurroundingthepriests,whowereappealingtotheirreligiousfeelingsaswellastotheirpatriotism.
Mensataboutsharpeningtheirweapons,fixingonmorefirmlythehandlesoftheirshields,adjustingarrowstobowstrings,andpreparinginotherwaysforthecomingfight.Fromsomeofthefires,roundwhichthemarshmenweresitting,camesnatchesofboisteroussong,whilehereandthere,apartfromthecrowd,priestswerehearingconfessions,andshrivingpenitents.
Thenextmorningearly,oneofthescouts,whohad
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beensenttoobservethemovementsoftheDanes,reportedthatthesewereissuingfromtheircamp,andadvancingintothecountry.
Algarmarshalledhishost,eachpartunderitsleaders,andmovedtomeetthem.NearKesteventhearmiescameinsightofeachother,andafteradvancinguntilbutashortdistanceapartbothhaltedtomarshaltheirranksanew.Eldred,withthemenofthemarshesnearCroylandandthecontingentfromtheabbey,hadtheirpostinthecentraldivision,whichwascommandedbyAlgarhimself,Edmundtookpostbyhisfather,andEgbertstoodbesidehim.
EdmundhadneverbeforeseentheDanes,andhecouldnotbutadmitthattheirappearancewasenoughtoshakethestoutestheart.Allcarriedgreatshieldscoveringthemfromheadtofoot.Thesewerecomposedofwood,bark,orleatherpaintedorembossed,andinthecasesofthechiefsplatedwithgoldandsilver.Solargewerethesethatinnavalencounters,ifthefearoffallingintotheenemy'shandsforcedthemtothrowthemselvesintothesea,theycouldfloatontheirshields;andafterdeathinbattleasoldierwascarriedtohisgraveonhisbuckler.AstheystoodfacingtheSaxonstheylockedtheirshieldstogethersoastoformabarrier
well-nighimpregnableagainstthearrows.
Allworehelmets,thecommonmenofleather,theleadersofironorcopper,whilemanyinadditionworecoatsofmail.Eachcarriedasword,abattle-axe,andabowandarrows.Someoftheswordswereshortandcurledlikeascimitar;otherswerelongandstraight,andwerewieldedwithbothhands.Theyworetheirhairlongandhangingdowntheirshoulders,andforthemostpartshavedtheircheeksandchins,butworetheirmoustachesverylong.
Theywere,forthemost,tall,lithe,andsinewymen,butphysicallyinnowaysuperiortotheSaxons,fromwhomthey
differedverywidelyincomplexion,theSaxonsbeingfairwhiletheDaneswereverydark,asmuchsoasmoderngypsies;indeed,theSaxonhistoriansspeakofthemastheblackpagans.UpontheotherhandmanyoftheNorthmen,beingScandinavians,wereasfairastheSaxonsthemselves.
TheDanesbeganthebattle,thoseinfrontshoutingfiercely,andstrikingtheirswordsontheirshieldswithaclashingnoise,whiletheranksbehindshotashowerofarrowsamongtheSaxons.Theseatoncereplied.Thecombatwasnotcontinuedlongatadistance,fortheDaneswithamightyshoutrushedupontheSaxons.Thesestoodtheirgroundfirmlyandadesperateconflictensued.TheSaxonchiefs
viedwitheachotherinactsofbravery,andsinglingouttheleadersoftheDanesengagedwiththeminhand-to-handconflict.
Algarhadplacedhisswordsmeninthefrontline,thosearmedwithspearsinthesecond;andastheswordsmenbattledwiththeDanesthespearmen,whentheysawashieldupliftedtoguardthehead,thrustunderwiththeirweaponsandslewmany.Edmund,seeingthatwithhisswordheshouldhavebutlittlechanceagainstthesefiercesoldiers,fellalittle
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behindhisfatherandkinsman,andasthesewereengagedwiththeenemyhefromtimetotime,whenhesawanopportunity,rushedinanddeliveredathrustwithhisspearatanunguardedpoint.TheSaxonshoutsroselouderandlouderastheDanesinvainendeavouredtobreakthroughtheirline.Themonksfoughtstoutly,andmanyafierceNorsemanfellbeforetheirblows.
TheDanes,whohadnotexpectedsofirmaresistance,begantohesitate,andAlgargivingtheword,theSaxonstooktheoffensive,andthelinepressedforwardstepbystep.ThearcherspouredtheirarrowsinastormamongtheDanishranks.Thesefellbackbeforetheonslaught.Alreadythreeoftheirkingsandmanyoftheirprincipalleadershadfallen,andatlast,findingthemselvesunabletowithstandtheimpetuousonslaughtoftheSaxons,theyturnedandfledinconfusiontowardstheircamp.TheSaxonswithexultingshoutspursuedthem,andgreatnumberswereslaughtered.TheDaneshad,however,aswastheircustom,fortifiedthecampbeforeadvancing,andAlgardrewoffhistroops,deemingthatitwouldbebettertodefertheattackonthispositionuntilthefollowingday.
TherewashighfeastingintheSaxoncampthatevening,
butthiswasbroughttoanabruptconclusionbythearrivalofascout,whoreportedthatagreatDanisharmymarchingfromtheHumberwasapproachingthecampofthecompatriots.Thenewswasbuttootrue.ThekingsGuthorn,Bergsecg,Oskytal,Halfdene,andAmund,andtheJarlsFrene,Hingwar,Hubba,andthetwoSidrocs,withalltheirfollowers,hadmarcheddownfromYorkshiretojointheinvaderswhohadjustlanded.
ThenewsofthisimmensereinforcementspreadconsternationamongtheAngles.Invaintheirleaderswentaboutamongthemandexhortedthemtocourage,promisingthemanothervictoryasdecisiveasthattheyhadwonthatday.
Theirentreatieswereinvain,forwhenthemorningdawneditwasfoundthatthree-fourthsoftheirnumberhadleftthecampduringthenight,andhadmadeofftothemarshesandfastnesses.
Acouncilofthechiefswasheld.Thechancesofconflictappearedhopeless,sovastlyweretheyout-numberedbytheDanes.Algar,however,declaredthathewoulddieratherthanretreat.
"Ifweflynow,"hesaid,"allEastAngliawillfallintothehandsoftheheathen.Evenshouldwefightandfall,theexampleofwhatahandfulofbravemencandoagainstthe
invaderswillsurelyanimatetheAnglestofurtherresistance;whileifweconquer,sogreatablowwillbedealttotherenownoftheseDanesthatallEnglandwillriseagainstthem."
Onhearingthesewordsallthechiefscametothedeterminationtowinordieastheystood.EldredtookEdmundasideafterthisdeterminationhadbeenarrivedat.
"Myson,"hesaid,"Iallowedyouyesterdaytostandbymysideinbattle,andwellandworthilydidyoubearyourself,
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butto-dayyoumustwithdraw.Thefightiswell-nighhopeless,andIbelievethatallwhotakepartinitaredoomedtoperish.Iwouldnotthatmyhouseshouldaltogetherdisappear,andshalldiemorecheerfullyinthehopethatsomedayyouwillavengemeupontheseheathen.Therefore,Edmund,Ibidyoutakestationatadistancebehindthebattle,sothatwhenyouseethedaygoesagainstusyoumayescapeintime.IshallurgeourfaithfulEgberttoendeavour,whenheseesthatallislost,tomakehiswayfromthefightandrejoinyou,andtojourneywithyoutoWessexandtherepresentyoutotheking.Formyself,ifthebattleislostIshalldieratherthanfly.SuchistheresolutionofAlgarandourotherbravechiefs,andEldredtheealdormanmustnotbetheonlyoneoftheleaderstorunfromthefray."
Edmundwasdeeplytouchedathisfather'swords,buttheparentalrulewassostrictinthosedaysthatitdidnotevenenterhismindtoprotestagainstEldred'sdecision.
AsthemorningwentontheDaneswereengagedinthefuneralceremoniesoftheirdeadkings,whiletheSaxons,quietandresolute,receivedtheholysacramentandpreparedforthefight.Algarchoseapositiononrisingground.HehimselfwithEldredcommandedthecentre,ToleyandMorcar
ledtherightwing,OsgotandHardingtheleft.
Eachofthesewingscontainedaboutfivehundredmen.Algar'scentre,whichwasalittlewithdrawnfromitswings,containedabout200ofhisbestwarriors,andwasdesignedasareserve,withwhich,ifneedbe,hecouldmovetotheassistanceofeitherofthewingswhichmightbesorelypressedandindanger.TheSaxonsformedinasolidmasswiththeirbucklerslinkedtogether.TheDanisharraywhichissuedoutfromtheircampwasvastlysuperiorinnumbers,andwascommandedbyfourkingsandeightjarlsorearls,whiletwokingsandfourearlsremainedinchargeofthecamp,andofthegreatcrowdofprisoners,forthemostpartwomenand
children,whomtheyhadbroughtwiththem.
WiththeDaneswhohadcomedownfromYorkshirewerealargebodyofhorsemen,whochargedfuriouslydownupontheSaxons;butthesemaintainedsofirmanarraywiththeirlancesandspearsprojectingoutwardthattheDanesfailedtobreakthroughthem,andaftermakingrepeatedeffortsandsufferingheavylosstheydrewback.ThentheDanisharchersandslingerspouredinastormofmissiles,buttheseeffectedbutlittleharm,astheSaxonsstoopedalittlebehindtheircloselypackedlineofbucklers,whichwerestoutenoughtokeepouttheshowerofarrows.Alldaythestrugglecontinued.AgainandagaintheDanesstrovetobreakthe
solidSaxonarray,andwithswordandbattle-axeattemptedtohewdownthehedgeofspears,butinvain.Atlasttheirleaders,convincedthattheycouldnotovercometheobstinacyoftheresistance,orderedtheirfollowerstofeignaretreat.
AstheDanesturnedtoflytheSaxonssetupatriumphantshout,andbreakinguptheirsolidphalanxrushedafterthemincompletedisorder.InvainAlgar,Osgot,Toley,Eldred,andtheotherleadersshoutedtothemtostandfirm.Wearyoftheirlonginactivity,andconvincedthattheDanes
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wererouted,theSaxonspursuedthemacrosstheplain.SuddenlytheDanishhorse,whoafterfailingtobreakthroughtherankshadremainedapartatashortdistancefromtheconflict,dasheddownuponthedisorderedSaxons,whiletheflyinginfantryturningroundalsofelluponthemwithexultingshouts.
Takenwhollybysurprise,confusedanddisordered,theSaxonscouldoffernoeffectualoppositiontothecharge.TheDanishhorserodeamongthemhewingandslaying,andtheswordsandbattle-axesofthefootmencompletedthework.InafewminutesofalltheSaxonbandwhichhadforsomanyhourssuccessfullyresistedtheonslaughtoftheDanes,notonesurvivedsaveafewfleet-footedyoungmenwho,throwingawaytheirarms,succeededinmakingtheirescape,andalittlegroup,consistingofAlgar,Toley,Eldred,andtheotherleaderswhohadgatheredtogetherwhentheirmenbroketheirranksandhadtakenuptheirpositiononaknollofgroundrisingabovetheplain.HereforalongtimetheyresistedtheeffortsofthewholeoftheDanes,surroundingthemselveswithaheapofslain;butatlengthonebyonetheysuccumbedtotheDanishonslaught,eachfightingvaliantlytothelast.
FromhispositionatadistanceEdmundwatchedthelastdesperatestruggle.WithstreamingeyesandahearttornbyanxietyforhisfatherhecouldseetheDanishfoeswarmingroundthelittlebandwhodefendedthecrest.Thesewerelostfromhissight,andonlytheflashingofswordsshowedwherethestrugglewasstillgoingoninthecentreoftheconfusedmass.Edmundhadbeenonhiskneesforsometime,buthenowrose.
"Come,oldboy,"hesaidtothehound,wholaybesidehimwatchingthedistantconflictandoccasionallyutteringdeepangrygrowls."Imustobeymyfather'slastcommand;letusaway."
Hetookonemoreglanceatthedistantconflictbeforeturning.Itwasplainthatitwasnearlyfinished.Theswordshadwell-nighceasedtoriseandfallwhenhesawasuddenmovementinthethrongofDanesandsuddenlyamanburstoutfromthemandstartedatheadlongspeedtowardshim,pursuedbyanumberofDanes.EvenatthatdistanceEdmundthoughtthatherecognizedthetallfigureofhiskinsman,buthehadnotimetoassurehimselfofthis,andheatonce,accompaniedbythehound,setoffatthetopofhisspeedfromthefieldofbattle.Hehadfullyaquarterofamilestart,andbeingactiveandhardyandaccustomedtoexercisefromhischildhood,hehadnofearthattheDaneswould
overtakehim.Stillheranhishardest.
LookingoverhisshoulderfromtimetotimehesawthatatfirsttheDaneswhowerepursuingthefugitiveweregaininguponhimalso,butafteratimeheagainincreasedthedistance,while,beingunencumberedwithshieldorheavyweapons,thefugitivekepttheadvantagehehadatfirstgained.Threemilesfromthebattle-fieldEdmundreachedtheedgeofawide-spreadingwood.LookingroundasheentereditsshelterhesawthattheflyingSaxonwasstillaboutaquarter
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ofamilebehindhim,andthattheDanes,despairingofover-takinghim,hadceasedtheirpursuit.Edmundthereforecheckedhisfootstepsandawaitedthearrivalofthefugitive,whohenowfeltcertainwashiskinsman.
InafewminutesEgbertcameup,havingslackenedhisspeedconsiderablywhenhesawthathewasnolongerpursued.Hewasbleedingfromseveralwounds,andnowthatthenecessityforexertionhadpassedhewalkedbutfeeblyalong.WithoutawordheflunghimselfonthegroundbyEdmundandburiedhisfaceinhisarms,andtheladcouldseebytheshakingofhisbroadshouldersthathewasweepingbitterly.Thegreathoundwalkeduptotheprostratefigureandgaveventtoalongandpiteoushowl,andthenlyingdownbyEgbert'ssideplacedhisheadonhisshoulder.
CHAPTERIII:THEMASSACREATCROYLAND
Edmundweptsorelyforsometime,forheknewthathiskinsman'sagitationcouldbeonlycausedbythedeathofhisfather.AtlastheapproachedEgbert.
"Mybravekinsman,"hesaid,"Ineedaskyounoquestions,forIknowbuttoowellthatmydearfatherhasfallen;butrouseyourself,Iprayyou;letmebandageyourwounds,whichbleedfast,foryouwillwantallyourstrength,andwemustneedspursueourwaywellintotheforest,forwithto-morrow'sdawntheDaneswillscatteroverthewholecountry."
"Yes,"Egbertsaid,turningroundandsittingup,"Imustnotinmygriefforgetmymission,andintruthIamfaint
withlossofblood.ItwaswelltheDanesstoppedwhentheydid,forIfeltmystrengthfailingme,andcouldhaveheldoutbutlittlefurther.Yes,Edmund,"hecontinued,asthelad,tearingstripsfromhisgarments,proceededtobandagehiswounds,"yourfatherisdead.Nobly,indeed,didhefight;noblydidhedie,withacircleofdeadDanesaroundhim.He,Algar,Toley,andmyselfwerethelastfourtoresist.Backtobackwestood,andmanyweretheDaneswhofellbeforeourblows.ToleyfellfirstandthenAlgar.TheDanesclosedcloseraroundus.Stillwefoughton,tillyourfatherwasbeatentohisknee,andthenhecriedtome,'Fly,Egbert,tomyson.'ThenIflungmyselfupontheDaneslikeawildboaruponthedogs,andwiththesuddennessofmyrushandtheheavy
blowsofmybattle-axecutawayformyselfthroughthem.Itwaswell-nighamiracle,andIcouldscarcebelieveitwhenIwasfree.IflungawaymyshieldandhelmetassoonasIhadwellbeguntorun,forIfeltthebloodgushingoutfromadozenwounds,andknewthatIshouldwantallmystrength.Isooncaughtsightofyourunningaheadofme.HadIfoundweweregaininguponyouIshouldhaveturnedoffandmadeanotherwaytoleadtheDanesaside,butIsoonsawthatyouwereholdingyourown,andsofollowedstraighton.Mykneestrembled,andIfeltmystrengthwaswell-nighgone,when,
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lookinground,IfoundtheDaneshaddesistedfromtheirpursuit.Igrieve,Edmund,thatIshouldhaveleftthebattlealivewhenalltheothershavediedbravely,for,saveafewfleet-footedyouths,IbelievethatnotasingleSaxonhasescapedthefight;butyourfatherhadlaidhiscommandsuponme,andIwasforcedtoobey,thoughGodknowsIwouldratherhavediedwiththeheroesonthatfield."
"'Tiswellformethatyoudidnot,mygoodEgbert,"Edmundsaid,dryinghiseyes,"forwhatshouldIhavedoneinthistroubledlandwithoutoneprotector?"
"Itwasthethoughtofthat,"Egbertsaid,"thatseemedtogivemestrengthasIdashedattheDanes.Andnow,methinks,Iamstrongenoughtowalkagain.Letusmakeourwayfarintotheforest,thenwemustrestforthenight.Afewhours'sleepwillmakeafreshmanofme,andto-morrowmorningwewillgotoCroylandandseewhatthegoodabbotyouruncleproposestodo,thenwillwetothehutwherewedweltbeforecominghither.Wewilldigupthechestandtakeoutsuchvaluablesaswecancarry,andthenmakeforWessex.Afterthisday'sworkIhavenolongeranyhopethatEastAngliawillsuccessfullyopposetheDanes.AndyettheAnglesfoughtwell,andforeveryoneofthemwhohasfallen
inthesetwodays'fightingatleastfourDanesmusthaveperished.Haveyoufood,Edmund,forintruthaftersuchaday'sworkIwouldnotliedownsupperless?"
"Ihaveinmypouchhere,Egbert,somecakes,whichIcookedthismorning,andacaponwhichoneofthemonksofCroylandgaveme.IwastemptedtothrowitawayasIran."
"Iamrightglad,Edmund,thatthetemptationwasnottoostrongforyou.Ifwecanfindaspringweshalldowell."
Itwasnowgettingdark,butafteranhour'swalkthrough
theforesttheycameuponarunningstream.Theylitafirebyitsside,andsittingdownatethesupper,ofwhichbothwereinmuchneed.Wolfsharedtherepast,andthenthethreelaydowntosleep.Egbert,overcomebytheimmenseexertionshehadmadeduringthefight,wassoonasleep;butEdmund,whohaddonehisbesttokeepabravefacebeforehiskinsman,weptforhoursoverthelossofhisgallantfather.
OnthefollowingmorningEgbertandEdmundstartedforCroyland.ThenewsofthedefeatatKestevenhadalreadyreachedtheabbey,andterrorandconsternationreignedthere.Edmundwentatoncetohisuncleandinformed
himofthecircumstanceofthedeathofhisfatherandtheannihilationoftheSaxonarmy.
"Yournews,Edmund,isevenworsethantherumourswhichhadreachedme,anddeeplydoIgrieveforthelossofmybravebrotherandofthemanyvaliantmenwhodiedwithhim.Thiseveningorto-morrowthespoilerswillbehere,anddoubtlesswilldotoCroylandastheyhavedonetoalltheotherabbeysandmonasterieswhichhavefallenintotheirhands.BeforetheycomeyouandEgbertmustbefar
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away.Haveyoubethoughtyouwhitheryouwillbetakeyourselves?"
"WearegoingtothekingoftheWestSaxons,"Edmundreplied."Suchwasmyfather'sintention,andIfearthatallisnowlostinEastAnglia."
"'Tisyourbestcourse,andmayGod'sblessingandprotectionrestuponyou!"
"Butwhatareyougoingtodo,uncle?SurelyyouwillnotremainhereuntiltheDanesarrive,forthoughtheymayspareothermentheyhavenomercyonpriestsandmonks?"
"Ishallassuredlyremainhere,Edmund,atmypost,andasmybrotherEldredandEarlAlgarandtheirbravecompanionsdiedattheirpostsinthefieldofbattle,soIampreparedtodieherewhereGodhasplacedme.Ishallretainherewithmeonlyafewofthemostagedandinfirmmonks,toooldtoflyortosupportthehardshipsofthelifeofahuntedfugitiveinthefens;togetherwithsomeofthechildrenwhohavefledhere,andwho,too,couldnotsupportsuchalife.ItmaybethatwhenthefierceDanesarriveandfindnoughtbutchildrenandagedmeneventheir
savagebreastsmaybemovedtopity;butifnot,God'swillbedone.Theyoungerbrethrenwillseekrefugeinthefens,andwillcarrywiththemthesacredrelicsofthemonastery.ThemostholybodyofSt.Guthlacwithhisscourgeandpsalmistry,togetherwiththemostvaluablejewelsandmuniments,thechartersofthefoundationoftheabbey,givenbyKingEthelbald,andtheconfirmationthereofbyotherkings,withsomeofthemostpreciousgiftspresentedtotheabbey."
EdmundandEgbertsettoworktoassisttheweepingmonksinmakingpreparationsfortheirdeparture.Aboatwasladenwiththerelicsofthesaints,themunimentsoftheking,andthemostpreciousvessels.Thetableofthegreat
altarcoveredwithplatesofgold,whichKingWichtlofhadpresented,withtengoldchalices,andmanyothervessels,wasthrownintothewelloftheconvent.
Inthedistancethesmokeofseveralvillagescouldnowbeseenrisingovertheplain,anditwasclearthattheDaneswereapproaching.Thetenpriestsandtwentymonkswhoweretoleavenowknelt,andreceivedthesolemnbenedictionoftheabbot,then,withEdmundandEgbert,theytooktheirplacesintheboatandrowedawaytothewoodofAncarig,whichlaynotfarfromtheabbey.
TheabbotTheodoreandtheagedmonksandpriests
nowreturnedtothechurch,and,puttingontheirvestments,commencedtheservicesoftheday;theabbothimselfcelebratedhighmass,assistedbybrotherElfgetthedeacon,brotherSavinthesub-deacon,andthebrothersEgelredandWyelric,youthswhoactedastaper-bearers.Whenthemasswasfinished,justastheabbotandhisassistantshadpartakenoftheholycommunion,theDanesburstintothechurch.TheabbotwasslainupontheholyaltarbythehandoftheDanishkingOskytal,andtheotherpriestsandmonkswerebeheadedbytheexecutioner.
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Theoldmenandchildreninthechoirwereseizedandtorturedtodisclosewherethetreasuresoftheabbeywereconcealed,andwerealsoputtodeathwiththepriorandsub-prior.Turgar,anacolyteoftenyearsofage;aremarkablybeautifulboy,stoodbythesideofthesub-priorashewasmurderedandfearlesslyconfrontedtheDanes,andbadethemputhimtodeathwiththeholyfather.TheyoungEarlSidroc,however,struckwiththebearingofthechild,andbeingmovedwithcompassion,strippedhimofhisrobeandcowl,andthrewoverhimalongDanishtunicwithoutsleeves,andorderinghimtokeepclosebyhim,madehiswayoutofthemonastery,theboybeingtheonlyonewhowassavedfromthegeneralmassacre.
TheDanes,furiousatbeingabletofindnoneofthetreasuresofthemonastery,brokeopenalltheshrinesandlevelledthemarbletombs,includingthoseofSt.Guthlac,theholyvirginEthelbritha,andmanyothers,butfoundinthesenoneofthetreasuresearchedfor.Theypiledthebodiesofthesaintsinaheap,andburnedthem,togetherwiththechurchandallthebuildingsofthemonastery;then,withvastherdsofcattleandotherplunder,theymovedawayfromCroyland,andattackedthemonasteryofMedeshamsted.
Herethemonksmadeabraveresistance.TheDanesbroughtupmachinesandattackedthemonasteryonallsides,andeffectedabreachinthewalls.Theirfirstassault,however,wasrepelled,andFulba,thebrotherofEarlHulba,wasdesperatelywoundedbyastone.
Hulbawassoinfuriatedatthisthatwhen,atthesecondassault,themonasterywascaptured,heslewwithhisownhandeveryoneofthemonks,whileallthecountrypeoplewhohadtakenrefugewithinthewallswereslaughteredbyhiscompanions,notoneescaping.Thealtarswerelevelledtotheground,themonumentsbrokeninpieces.Thegreatlibraryofparchmentsandcharterswasburnt.Theholyrelics
weretroddenunderfoot,andthechurchitself,withallthemonasticbuildings,burnttotheground.Fourdayslater,theDanes,havingdevastatedthewholecountryroundandcollectedanenormousbooty,marchedawayagainstHuntingdon.
EdmundandEgbertremainedbutafewhourswiththemonkswhohadescapedfromthesackofCroyland;for,assoonastheysawtheflamesmountingupabovethechurch,theyknewthattheDaneshadaccomplishedtheirusualworkofmassacre,andtherebeingnouseintheirmakingfurtherstay,theystartedupontheirjourney.Theytravelledbyeasystages,fortimewasofnovaluetothem.Forthemostpart
theirwaylayamongforests,andwhenoncetheyhadpassedsouthofThetfordtheyhadnofearofmeetingwiththeDanes.Sometimestheysleptatfarm-housesorvillages,beingeverywherehospitablyreceived,themoresowhenitwasknownthatEdmundwasthesonofthebraveealdormanEldred;butthenewswhichtheybroughtofthedisastrousbattleofKesteven,andthesouthwardmarchofthegreatDanisharmy,filledeveryonewithconsternation.
Themaidsandmatronsweptwithterroratthethought
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ofthecomingoftheseterribleheathen,andalthoughthemeneverywherespokeofresistancetothelast,theprospectseemedsohopelessthateventhebravestwerefilledwithgriefanddespair.Manyspokeofleavingtheirhomesandretiringwiththeirwivesandfamilies,theirserfsandherdstothecountryoftheWestSaxons,wherealonethereappearedanyhopeofasuccessfulresistancebeingmade.WherevertheywentEdmundandEgbertbroughtbytheirnewslamentationandwoetothehouseholdstheyentered,andatlastEdmundsaid:
"Egbert,letusenternomorehousesuntilwereachtheendofourjourney;whereverwegowearemessengersofevil,andturnhousesoffeastingintoabodesofgrief.Everynightwehavethesamesadstorytotell,andhavetowitnesstheweepingandwailingofwomen.Athousandtimesbetterwereittosleepamongthewoods,atanyrateuntilweareamongtheWestSaxons,whereournewsmaycauseindignationandrageatleast,butwhereitwillarouseabraveresolvetoresisttothelastinsteadofthehopelessnessofdespair."
Egbertthoroughlyagreedwiththelad,andhenceforththeyenterednohousessavetobuybreadandmead.Ofmeattheyhadplenty,forastheypassedthroughtheforestsWolfwasalwaysuponthealert,andseveraltimesfoundawild
boarinhislair,andkepthimatbayuntilEdmundandEgbertranupandwithspearsandswordsslewhim.Thissuppliedthemamplywithmeat,andgavethemindeedfarmorethantheycouldeat,buttheyexchangedportionsofthefleshforbreadinthevillages.AtlasttheycamedownupontheThamesnearLondon,andcrossingtheriverjourneyedwest.TheywerenowinthekingdomoftheWestSaxons,themostwarlikeandvaliantofthepeoplesofEngland,andwhohadgraduallyextendedtheirswayoverthewholeofthecountry.Theunionwasindeedbutlittlemorethannominal,astheotherkingsretainedtheirthrones,payingonlyatributetotheWestSaxonmonarchs.
AsEgberthadpredicted,theirtaleofthebattleofKestevenherearousednofeelingsavethatofwrathandadesireforvengeanceupontheDanes.Swordsweregrasped,andallsworebythesaintsofwhatshouldhappentotheinvadersshouldtheysetfootinWessex.Thetravellersfelttheirspiritsriseatthemartialanddeterminedaspectofthepeople.
"Itisasadpity,"EgbertsaidtoEdmundoneday,"thattheseWestSaxonshadnothadtimetouniteEnglandfirmlytogetherbeforetheDanessetfootontheisland.Itisourdivisionswhichhaverenderedtheirtasksofareasy.Northumbria,Mercia,andEastAngliahaveonebyonebeen
invaded,andtheirkingshavehadtofightsingle-handedagainstthem,whereashadonestrongkingreignedoverthewholecountry,sothatallourforcecouldhavebeenexertedagainsttheinvaderwhereverhemightland,theDaneswouldneverhavewonafootofoursoil.ThesaddayofKestevenshowedatleastthatweareabletofighttheDanesmanforman.Thefirstdaywebeatthem,thoughtheywereinsuperiornumbers,thesecondwewithstoodthemallday,althoughtheyweretentooneagainstus,andtheywouldneverhavetriumphedeventhenhadourmenlistenedtotheir
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leadersandkepttheirranks.IdonotbelievethateventheWestSaxonscouldhavefoughtmorebravelythandidourmenonthatday;buttheyarebetterorganized,theirkingisenergeticanddetermined,andwhentheDanesinvadeWessextheywillfindthemselvesopposedbythewholepeopleinsteadofmerelyahastilyraisedassemblagegatheredintheneighbourhood."
TheypresentlyapproachedReading,wheretherewasaroyalfortress,inwhichKingEthelredandhisbrotherAlfredwereresiding.
"Itistrulyafinecity,"Edmundsaidasheapproachedit;"itswallsarestrongandhigh,andtheroyalpalace,whichrisesabovethem,isindeedastatelybuilding."
Theycrossedtheriverandenteredthegatesofthetown.Therewasgreatbustleandtrafficinthestreets,cynings,ornobles,passedalongaccompaniedbypartiesofthanes,serfsladenwithfuelorprovisionsmadetheirwayinfromthesurroundingcountry,whilefreemen,withtheirshieldsflungacrosstheirshouldersandtheirswordsbytheirsides,stalkedwithanindependentairdownthestreets.
Thetravellersapproachedtheroyalresidence.Thegateswereopen,andnonehinderedtheirentrance,forallwhohadbusinesswerefreetoentertheroyalpresenceandtolaytheircomplaintsorpetitionsbeforetheking.
Enteringtheyfoundthemselvesinalargehall.Thelowerendofthiswasoccupiedbymanypeople,whoconversedtogetherinlittlegroupsorawaitedthesummonsoftheking.Acrosstheupperendoftheroomwasaraiseddais,andinthecentreofthiswasawidechaircapableofholdingthreepersons.Thebackandsideswerehighandrichlycarved.Atablesupportedbyfourcarvedandgildedlegsstoodbeforeit.Twopersonswereseatedinthechair.
Onewasamanofthreeorfourandtwenty,theotherwashisjuniorbysometwoyears.Bothworelightcrownsofgoldsomewhatdifferentintheirfashion.Beforetheyoungerwasaparchment,aninkhorn,andpens.KingEthelredwasamanofapleasantface,butmarkedbycareandbylongvigilsandrigorousfastings.Alfredwasasingularlyhandsomeyoungprince,withanearnestandintellectualface.Bothhadtheirfacesshavensmooth.Ethelredworehishairpartedinthemiddle,andfallinglowoneachsideoftheface,butAlfred'swascloselycut.Onthetableneartheyoungerbrotherstoodasilverharp.
Edmundlookedwithgreatcuriosityandinterestontheyoungprince,whowasfamousthroughoutEnglandforhisgreatlearning,hiswisdom,andsweetnessoftemper.Althoughtheyoungestoftheking'sbrothers,hehadalwaysbeenregardedasthefutureKingofEngland,andhadhisfathersurviveduntilhereachedtheageofmanhood,hewouldprobablyhavesucceededdirectlytothethrone.ThelawofprimogeniturewasbynomeansstrictlyobservedamongtheSaxons,ayoungerbrotherofmarkedabilityorofdistinguishedprowessinwarbeingoftenchosenbyafather
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tosucceedhiminplaceofhiselderbrothers.
Alfredhadbeenhisfather'sfavouriteson.HehadwhenachildbeenconsecratedbythepopeasfutureKingofEngland;andhistwojourneystoRome,andhisresidenceatthecourtoftheFrankishkinghad,withhisowngreatlearningandstudy,givenhimahighprestigeandreputationamonghispeopleasonelearnedinthewaysoftheworld.Althoughbutaprince,hisauthorityinthekingdomnearlyequalledthatofhisbrother,anditwasheratherthanEthelredwhommenregardedasthepropandstayoftheSaxonsintheperilswhichwerenowthreateningthem.
Oneafteranother,personsadvancedtothetableandlaidtheircomplaintsbeforetheking;incasesofdisputebothpartieswerepresentandwereoftenaccompaniedbywitnesses.EthelredandAlfredlistenedattentivelytoallthatwassaidonbothsides,andthengavetheirjudgment.Anhourpassed,andthenseeingthatnooneelseapproachedthetable,Egbert,takingEdmundbythehand,ledhimforwardandkneltbeforetheroyaltable.
"Whomhavewehere?"thekingsaid."Thisyouthisbyhisattireoneofnoblerace,butIknownothisface."
"Wehavecome,sirking,"Egbertsaid,"asfugitivesandsuppliantstoyou.ThisisEdmund,thesonofEaldormanEldred,avaliantcyningofEastAnglia,who,afterfightingbravelyagainsttheDanesnearThetford,joinedEarlAlgar,anddiedbyhissideonthefatalfieldofKesteven.Hehadhimselfpurposedtocomehithertoyouandtoaskyoutoaccepthimasyourthane,andonthemornofthebattlehechargedmeifhefelltobringhitherhissontoyou;andweprayyoutoaccept,intokenofourhomagetoyou,thesevessels."
Andhereheplacedtwohandsomegobletsofsilvergilt
uponthetable.
"Iprayyourise,"thekingsaid."IhaveassuredlyheardofthebraveEldred,andwillgladlyreceivehissonasmythane.IhadnotheardofEldred'sdeath,thoughtwodayssincetherumourofaheavydefeatoftheEastAnglesatKesteven,andthesacrilegiousdestructionoftheholyhousesofBardenay,Croyland,andMedeshamstedreachedourears.Wereyoupresentatthebattle?"
"Iwas,sirking,"Egbertsaid,"andfoughtbesideEarlAlgarandmykinsmantheEaldormanEldreduntilbothwereslainbytheDanes,andIwithdifficultycutmywaythrough
themandescapedtocarryoutmykinsman'sordersregardinghisson."
"Youareastoutchampionyourself,"thekingsaid,regardingwithadmirationEgbert'shugeproportions;"buttellusthestoryofthisbattle,ofwhichatpresentbutvaguerumourshavereachedus."EgbertrelatedtheincidentsofthebattleofKesteven."Itwasbravelyfought,"thekingsaidwhenhehadconcluded;"rightwellandbravely,andbetterfortuneshouldhaveattendedsuchvalour.Trulythebrave
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AlgarhasshownthatweSaxonshavenotlostthebraverywhichdistinguishedourancestors,andthat,manforman,weareequaltotheseheathenDanes."
"Butmethinks,"PrinceAlfredsaid,"thatthebraveAlgarandhisvaliantcompanionsdidwrongtothrowawaytheirliveswhenallwaslost.Solongasthereistheremotestchanceofvictoryitisthedutyofaleadertosetanexampleofvalourtohisfollowers,butwhenallislostheshouldthinkofhiscountry.WhatthoughthebravethanessleweachascoreofDanesbeforetheydied,theirdeathhaslefttheircountrymenwithoutaleader,andbythatonebattletheDaneshavemadethemselvesmastersofthenorthofEastAnglia.Betterfarhadthey,whenthedaywaslost,retreated,togatherthepeopletogetherwhenabetteropportunitypresenteditself,andagaintomakeheadagainsttheinvaders.ItisheathenratherthanChristianwarfarethustothrowawaytheirlivesratherthantoretreatandwaitforGod'stimetocomeagain.Tostakeallononethrow,whichiflostlosesawholepeople,seemstometheactofagamester.Itrustthat,shouldthetimeevercome,asitistoomuchtobefeareditwillerelong,thattheDanesinvademybrother'skingdomofWessex,Ishallnotbefoundwantingincourage;butassuredlywhendefeatedinbattleIwouldnotthrowawaymylife,forthat
belongstoourpeopleratherthantomyself,butwouldretiretosomerefugeuntilIcouldagaingathertheSaxonsaroundmeandattacktheinvaders.Ilikethefaceoftheyoungealdorman,anddoubtnotthathewillproveavaliantwarriorlikehisfather.Mybrotherwilldoubtlessassignhimlandsforhismaintenanceandyours;butifhewillletmeIwillattachhimtomyperson,andwillbeatonceamasterandafriendtohim.Wouldstthoulikethis,youngEdmund?"
Thelad,greatlypleasedattheyoungprince'skindnessofspeechandmanner,repliedenthusiasticallythathewouldfollowhimtothedeathifhewouldaccepthimashisfaithfulthane.
"Hadthetimesbeenmorepeaceful,Edmund,"Alfredsaid,"IwouldfainhaveimpartedtoyousomeofthelittleknowledgethatIhavegained,forIseeanintelligenceinyourfacewhichtellsmethatyouwouldhaveprovedanaptandeagerpupil;but,alas,inthedaysthatarecomingitistheswordratherthanthebookwhichwillprevail,andthecaresofstate,andthedefenceofthecountry,willshortlyengrossallmytimeandleavemebutlittleleisureforthestudiesIlovesowell."
"Therearethelands,"thekingsaid,"ofEabald,EaldormanofSherborne,inDorset.Hediedbutlastweek
andhasleftnochildren.TheselandsIwillgranttoEdmundinreturnforliegeandtrueservice."Theladkneltbeforetheking,and,kissinghishand,sworetobehistrueandfaithfulthane,andtospendland,goods,andlifeinhisservice.
"Andnow,"thekingsaid,"sincetheaudienceisover,andnoneothercomesbeforeuswithpetitions,wewillretiretoourprivateapartments,andtheremybrotherAlfredwillpresentyoutothefairElswitha,hiswife."
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TheroomintowhichEgbertandEdmundfollowedthekingandhisbrotherwasspaciousandlofty.Thewallswerecoveredwithhangingsofredcloth,andathickbrownbaizecoveredthefloor.Theceilingwaspaintedadarkbrownwithmuchgilding.Roundthesidesoftheroomstoodseveraldressersofcarvedoak,uponwhichstoodgoldandsilvercups.
Onatablewereseveralilluminatedvellums.AtCroylandEdmundhadseenacivilizationfarinadvanceofthattowhichhehadbeenaccustomedinhisfather'sabode;buthesawhereadegreeofluxuryandsplendourwhichsurprisedhim.Alfredhad,duringhistwovisitstoRome,learnedtoappreciatethehighdegreeofcivilizationwhichreignedthere,andmanyofthearticlesoffurnitureandotherobjectswhichmetEdmund'seyehehadbroughtwithhimonhisreturnwithhisfatherfromthatcity.
Acrosstheupperendoftheroomwasalongtablelaidwithawhitecloth.Elswithawassittinginalargegildedchairbythegreatfirewhichwasblazingonthehearth.
PrinceAlfredpresentedEdmundandEgberttoher.ElswithawaswellacquaintedwiththeEaldormanEldred,as
hislandslayontheveryborderofhernativeMercia,andshereceivedtheladandhiskinsmanwithgreatkindness.Inashorttimetheytooktheirplacesattable.Firsttheattendancebroughtinbowlscontainingbroth,whichtheypresented,kneeling,toeachofthoseattable.Thebrothwasdrunkfromthebowlitself;thenasilvergobletwasplacedbyeachdiner,andwasfilledwithwine.Fishwasnextserved.Plateswereplacedbeforeeach;butinsteadoftheircuttingfoodwiththeirowndaggers,asEdmundhadbeenaccustomedtoseeinhisfather'shouse,kniveswerehandedround.Afterthefishcamevenison,followedbywildboar,chickens,andothermeats.Aftertheseconfections,composedchieflyofhoney,wereplacedonthetable.ThekingandPrince
Alfredpledgedtheirguestswhentheydrank.Noforkswereused,themeatascutbeingtakenupbypiecesofbreadtothemouth.Duringthemealaharperplayedandsung.
Edmundobservedthedecorumwithwhichhisroyalhostsfed,andthecarewhichtheytooktoavoiddippingtheirfingersintotheirsaucersortheirplates.Hewasalsostruckwiththesmallamountofwinewhichtheytook;fortheSaxonsingeneralwerelargefeeders,anddrankheavilyattheirmeals.
Whenthedinnerwasoverapagebroughtroundabasinofwarmwater,inwhichlavenderhadbeencrushed,and
eachdippedhisfingersinthisandthendriedthemonthecloth.ThenatPrinceAlfred'srequestEgbertagainrelatedinfullthedetailsofthetwodays'desperatestruggleatKesteven,givingthemostminuteparticularsoftheDanes'methodoffighting.EgbertandEdmundthenretiredtotheroyalguest-houseadjoiningthepalace,whereapartmentswereassignedtothem.
AfterremainingforaweekatReadingtheytookleaveofthekingandstartedforthelandswhichhehadassigned
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toEdmund.Theywereaccompaniedbyanofficeroftheroyalhousehold,whowastoinformthefreemenandserfsoftheestatethatbytheking'spleasureEdmundhadbeenappointedealdormanofthelands.Theyfoundonarrivalthatthehousehadbeennewlybuilt,andwaslargeandcomfortable.Thethanesofthedistrictspeedilycameintopaytheirrespectstotheirnewealdorman,andalthoughsurprisedtofindhimsoyoung,theywerepleasedwithhisbearingandmanner,andknowingthathecameofgoodfightingblooddoubtednotthatintimehewouldmakeavaliantleader.Allwhocamewerehospitablyentertained,andformanydaystherewashighfeasting.SofarremovedwasthispartofEnglandfromthedistrictwhichtheDaneshadinvaded,thatatpresentbutslightalarmhadbeencausedbythem;butEdmundandhiskinsmanlostnotimeinimpressinguponthemthegreatnessofthecomingdanger.
"Youmaybesure,"hesaid,"thaterelongweshallseetheirgalleysonthecoast.WhentheyhaveeatenupMerciaandAngliatheywillassuredlycomehither,andweshallhavetofightforourlives,andunlessweareprepareditwillgohardwithus."
Afterhehadbeenathisnewresidenceforamonth
Edmundsentoutmessengerstoallthethanesinhisdistrictrequestingthemtoassembleatacouncil,andthenformallylaidthematterbeforethem.
"Itis,aboveallthings,"hesaid,"necessarythatweshouldhavesomeplacewherewecanplacethewomenandchildrenincaseofinvasionandwherewecanourselvesretireinextremenecessity.ThereforeIproposethatweshallbuildafortofsufficientsizetocontainalltheinhabitantsofthedistrict,withmanyflocksandherds.MycousinEgberthasriddenfaroverthecountry,andrecommendsthattheRomanfortificationatMoorcastershallbeutilized.Itislargeinextent,andhasadoublecircleofearthenbanks.These
differfromthosewhichwearewonttobuild,sinceweSaxonsalwaysfillupthegroundsoastobeflatwiththetopoftheearthenbanks,whiletheRomanslefttheirshollow.However,thespaceissolargethatitwouldtakeavastlabourtofillitup,thereforeIproposethatweshouldmerelythickenthebanks,andshould,inSaxoncustom,buildawallwithturretsuponthem.TheslopingbanksalonewouldbebutasmallprotectionagainsttheonslaughtoftheDanes,butstonewallsareanothermatter,andcouldonlybecarriedafteralongsiege.Ifyoufallinwithmyviewsyouwilleachofyousendhalfyourserfstocarryoutthework,andIwilldothesame,andwill,moreover,payfiftyfreemenwhomaydothesquaringofthestonesandtheproperlayingofthem."
Theproposalledtoalongdiscussion,assomethoughtthattherewasnooccasionasyettotakesuchameasure;butthethanesfinallyagreedtocarryoutEdmund'sproposal.
CHAPTERIV:THEINVASIONOFWESSEX
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EdmundandEgbertdevotedmostoftheirtimetothebuildingofthenewfort,livingverysimply,andexpendedthewholeoftherevenuesofthelandsonthepaymentofthefreemenandmasonsengageduponthework.TheRomanfortwasaparallelogram,thesidesbeingabout200yardslong,andtheendshalfthatlength.Itwassurroundedbytwoearthenbankswithwideditches.Theseweredeepenedconsiderably,andtheslopeswerecutdownmoresharply.Theinnerbankwaswideneduntilitwas15feetacrossthetop.
Onthisthewallwasbuilt.Itwasfacedonbothsideswithsquarestones,thespacebetweenfilledupwithrubbleandcement,thetotalthicknessbeing4feet.Theheightofthewallwas8feet,andatintervalsof30yardsaparttowerswereraised10feetaboveit,oneofthesebeingplacedateithersideoftheentrance.Herethebankwascutaway,andsolidbuttressesofmasonrysupportedthehighgates.Theopeningintheouterbankwasnotoppositetothegateintheinner,beingfiftyyardsaway,sothatanywhoenteredbyitwouldhaveforthatdistancetofollowtheditchbetweenthe
twobanks,exposedtothemissilesofthoseonthewallbeforearrivingattheinnergate.
Fivehundredmenlabouredincessantlyatthework.Thestoneforthewallswasfortunatelyfoundcloseathand,but,notwithstandingthis,theworktooknearlysixmonthstoexecute;deepwellsweresunkinthecentreofthefort,andbythismeansanamplesupplyofwaterwassecured,howeverlargemightbethenumberwithinit.
AveryshorttimeafterthecommencementoftheworkthenewsarrivedthatKingEdmundofEastAngliahadgatheredhisforcestogetherandhadmettheDanesinagreat
battlenearThetfordonSundaythe20thofNovember,andhadbeentotallydefeatedbythem,Edmundhimselfhavingbeentakenprisoner.Thecaptiveking,afterhavingbeenforalongtimecruellytorturedbytheDanes,wasshottodeathwitharrows.ItwasnotlongafterthisthatnewscamethatthewholeofEastAngliahadfallenintothehandsoftheDanes.
EarlyinthemonthofFebruary,871,justasthewallsofhisforthadbeguntorise,amessengerarrivedfromthekingbiddingEdmundassembleallthemeninhisearlshipandmarchatoncetojoinhimnearDevizes,asthenewshadcomethatagreatDanishfleethadsaileduptheThamesand
hadalreadycapturedtheroyaltownofReading.
Messengersweresentoutinalldirections,andearlythenextmorning,400menhavingassembled,EdmundandhiskinsmanmarchedawaywiththemtowardsDevizes.Upontheirarrivalatthattowntheyfoundthekingandhisbrotherwith8000men,andthefollowingdaythearmymovedeasttowardsReading.
Theyhadnotmarchedmanymilesbeforeamessenger
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arrivedsayingthattwooftheDanishjarlswithagreatfollowinghadgoneouttoplunderthecountry,thattheyhadbeenencounteredbyAethelwulf,EarlofBerkshire,withhismenatEnglefield,andafiercebattlehadtakenplace.TheSaxonshadgainedthevictory,andgreatnumbersoftheDaneshadbeenslain,Sidroc,oneoftheirjarls,beingamongthefallen.
ThreedayslatertheroyalarmyarrivedinsightofReading,beingjoinedontheirmarchbyAethelwulfandhismen.TheDaneshadthrownupagreatrampartbetweentheThamesandtheKennet,andmanywerestillatworkonthisfortification.ThesewerespeedilyslainbytheSaxons,buttheirsuccesswasashortone.Themainbodyoftheinvadersswarmedoutfromthecityandadesperateengagementtookplace.
TheSaxonsfoughtvaliantly,ledbythekingandPrinceAlfred;butbeingwhollyundisciplinedandunaccustomedtowartheywereunabletowithstandtheonslaughtoftheDanes,whofoughtinbetterorder,keepingtogetherinranks:afterfourhours'hardfightingtheSaxonswerecompelledtofallback.
TheyralliedagainafewmilesfromReading.EthelredandAlfredwentamongthembiddingthembeofgoodcheer,forthatanothertime,whentheyfoughtinbetterorder,theywouldgainthevictory;andthattheirlosshadnotbeengreaterthantheDanes,onlythatunhappilythevaliantEaldormanAethelwulfhadbeenslain.FreshmessengersweresentthroughoutthecountrybiddingallthemenofWessextorallyroundtheirking,andonthefourthmorningafterthedefeatEthelredfoundhimselfattheheadoflargerforcesthanhadfoughtwithhiminthelastbattle.
TheDaneshadmovedoutfromReadingandhadtakenpostatAshdown,andastheSaxonarmyapproachedthey
wereseentobedividedintotwobodies,oneofwhichwascommandedbytheirtwokingsandtheotherbytwojarls.TheSaxonsthereforemadeasimilardivisionoftheirarmy,thekingcommandingonedivisionandPrinceAlfredtheother.
EdmundwiththemenofSherbornewasinthedivisionofAlfred.TheDanesadvancedtotheattackandfellwithfuryuponthem.Ithadbeenarrangedthatthisdivisionshouldnotadvancetotheattackuntilthatcommandedbythekingwasalsoputinmotion.ForsometimeAlfredandhismensupportedtheassaultsoftheDanes,andthen,beinghardlypressed,theprincesentamessengertohisbrother
tourgethatamovementshouldbemade.TheSaxonswereimpatientatstandingonthedefensive,andAlfredsawthathemusteitherallowthemtochargetheenemyormustretreat.
Presentlythemessengerreturnedsayingthatthekingwasinhistenthearingmass,andthathehadgivenordersthatnomanshouldmoveoranyshoulddisturbhimuntilmasswasconcluded.Alfredhesitatednolonger;heformedhismenintoasolidbody,andthen,raisinghisbattlecry,rushedupontheDanes.Thebattlewasafuriousone.The
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Daneswereuponhigherground,theirstandardbeingplantedbythesideofasinglethorn-treewhichgrewontheslopesofthehill.TowardsthisAlfredwithhismenfoughttheirway.
Thelessonofthepreviousbattlehadnotbeenlost,theSaxonskepttogetherinasolidbodywhichmadeitswaywithirresistibleweightthroughtheranksoftheDanes.Stillthelatterclosedinonallsides,andthefightwasdoubtfuluntiltheking,havingfinishedhisdevotions,ledhisdivisionintothebattle.Foralongtimeadesperatestrifecontinuedandgreatnumbersonbothsideswerekilled;buttheSaxons,animatedatoncebyloveoftheircountryandhatredoftheinvadersandbyhumiliationattheirpreviousdefeat,foughtwithsuchfurythattheDanesbegantogiveway.ThentheSaxonspressedthemstillmorehotly,andtheinvaderspresentlylostheartandfledinconfusion,pursuedinalldirectionsbytheexultingSaxons.
TheDanishkingBergsecgandfivejarls,thetwoSidrocs,Osbearn,Frene,andHareld,wereslain,andmanythousandsoftheirfollowers.Greatspoilofarmsandarmourfellintothehandsofthevictors.
Edmundhadfoughtbravelyinthebattleattheheadof
hismen.Egberthadkeptbesidehim,andtwice,whentheladhadbeensmittentohiskneesbytheenemy,coveredhimwithhisshieldandbeatoffthefoe.
"Youareover-youngforsuchafightasthis,Edmund,"hesaidwhentheDaneshadtakentoflight."YouwillneedanotherfourorfiveyearsoveryourheadbeforeyoucanstandinbattleagainstthesefierceNorthmen.Theybreakdownyourguardbysheerweight;butyouboreyourselfgallantly,andIdoubtnotwillyetbeasfamousawarrioraswasyourbravefather."
Edmunddidnotjoininthepursuit,beingtoomuch
bruisedandexhaustedtodoso;butEgbertwiththemenofSherbornefollowedtheflyingDanesuntilnightfall.
"Youhavedonewell,myyoungealdorman,"PrinceAlfredsaidtotheladafterthebattle."Ihavebeenwishingmuchthatyoucouldbewithmeduringthepastmonth,butIheardthatyouwerebuildingastrongfortanddeemeditbettertoletyoucontinueyourworkundisturbed.WhenitisfinishedItrustthatIshallhaveyouoftennearme;butIfearthatforatimeweshallhavebutlittlespaceforpeacefulpursuits,fortheDanesarecoming,asIhear,ingreattroopswestward,andweshallhavemanybattlestofightereweclearthelandofthethem."
Inthosedaysadefeat,howeversevere,hadnotthesamedecisiveeffectasithasinmodernwarfare.Therewerenocannonstolose,nogreatstorestofallintothehandsofthevictors.Thearmywassimplydispersed,anditscomponentpartsreassembledinthecourseofadayortwo,ready,whenreinforcementsarrived,torenewthefight.Thus,decisiveaswasthevictoryofAshdown,PrinceAlfredsawthatmanysuchvictoriesmustbewon,andaprolongedandexhaustingstrugglecarriedonbeforethetideofinvasionwouldbe