Part 1

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BELL’S ENGLISH HISTORY SOURCE BOOKS _General Editors_: S. E. WINBOLT, M.A., and KENNETH BELL, M.A.

THE WELDING OF THE RACE

BELL’S ENGLISH HISTORY SOURCE BOOKS.

_Volumes now Ready._ _1s. net each._

=449-1066. The Welding of the Race.= Edited by the Rev. JOHN WALLIS, M.A.

=1066-1154. The Normans in England.= Edited by _A. E. Bland_, M.A.

[_In preparation_

=1154-1216. The Angevins and the Charter.= Edited by S. M. TOYNE, M.A.

=1216-1307. The Struggle for the Charter.= Edited by W. D. ROBIESON, M.A.

[_In preparation_

=1307-1399. War and Misrule.= Edited by A. A. LOCKE.

=1399-1485. The Last of Feudalism.= Edited by W. GARMON JONES, M.A.

=1485-1547. The Reformation and the Renaissance.= Edited by F. W. BEWSHER, B.A.

=1547-1603. The Age of Elizabeth.= Edited by ARUNDELL ESDAILE, M.A.

=1603-1660. Puritanism and Liberty.= Edited by KENNETH BELL, M.A.

=1660-1714. A Constitution in Making.= Edited by G. B. PERRETT, M.A.

=1714-1760. Walpole and Chatham.= Edited by K. A. ESDAILE.

=1760-1801. American Independence and the French Revolution.= Edited by S. E WINBOLT, M.A.

=1801-1815. England and Napoleon.= Edited by S. E. WINBOLT, M.A.

=1815-1837. Peace and Reform.= Edited by A. C. W. EDWARDS, M.A., Christ’s Hospital.

=1856-1876. Palmerston to Disraeli.= Edited by EWING HARDING, B.A.

=1876-1887. Imperialism and Mr. Gladstone.= Edited by R. H. GRETTON, M.A.

=1563-1913. Canada.= Edited by JAMES MUNRO, Lecturer at Edinburgh University.

_Other volumes, covering the whole range of English History from Roman Britain, are in active preparation, and will be issued at short intervals._

LONDON: G. BELL AND SONS, LTD.

THE WELDING OF THE RACE

(“449”—1066)

COMPILED BY THE

REV. JOHN E. W. WALLIS, B.A. (OXON.)

ASSISTANT MASTER AT CHRIST’S HOSPITAL

LONDON

G. BELL & SONS, LTD.

1913

INTRODUCTION

This series of English History Source Books is intended for use with any ordinary textbook of English History. Experience has conclusively shown that such apparatus is a valuable—nay, an indispensable—adjunct to the history lesson. It is capable of two main uses: either by way of lively illustration at the close of a lesson, or by way of inference-drawing, before the textbook is read, at the beginning of the lesson. The kind of problems and exercises that may be based on the documents are legion, and are admirably illustrated in a _History of England for Schools_, Part I., by Keatinge and Frazer, pp. 377-381. However, we have no wish to prescribe for the teacher the manner in which he shall exercise his craft, but simply to provide him and his pupils with materials hitherto not readily accessible for school purposes. The very moderate price of the books in this series should bring them within the reach of every secondary school. Source books enable the pupil to take a more active part than hitherto in the history lesson. Here is the apparatus, the raw material: its use we leave to teacher and taught.

Our belief is that the books may profitably be used by all grades of historical students between the standards of fourth-form boys in secondary schools and undergraduates at Universities. What differentiates students at one extreme from those at the other is not so much the kind of subject-matter dealt with, as the amount they can read into or extract from it.

In regard to choice of subject-matter, while trying to satisfy the natural demand for certain “stock” documents of vital importance, we hope to introduce much fresh and novel matter. It is our intention that the majority of the extracts should be lively in style—that is, personal, or descriptive, or rhetorical, or even strongly partisan—and should not so much profess to give the truth as supply data for inference. We aim at the greatest possible variety, and lay under contribution letters, biographies, ballads and poems, diaries, debates, and newspaper accounts. Economics, London, municipal, and social life generally, and local history, are represented in these pages.

The order of the extracts is strictly chronological, each being numbered, titled, and dated, and its authority given. The text is modernised, where necessary, to the extent of leaving no difficulties in reading.

We shall be most grateful to teachers and students who may send us suggestions for improvement.

S. E. WINBOLT. KENNETH BELL.

NOTE TO THIS VOLUME

(“449”-1066)

The following extracts have been taken, where possible, from contemporary authorities. I have attempted to make this selection in some degree a companion book to the late Dr. Thomas Hodgkin’s Volume I. in Messrs. Hunt and Poole’s _Political History of England_—a book to which my obligations are great, as the reader may easily perceive. I am responsible for the translations marked “W.” I am greatly indebted to Mr. E. Barker, of New College, and Mr. W. H. Stevenson, of St. John’s College, Oxford, who have very kindly looked through the proofs, and corrected many blunders. A brief note on the chief authorities for the period has been added.

JOHN E. W. WALLIS.

SAYERS FARM, TWO MILE ASH, HORSHAM. _September, 1913._

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

INTRODUCTION v

“449.” THE COMING OF THE ENGLISH:—

1. CONTEMPORARY EVIDENCE:

(_a_) CHRONICA GALLICA

(_b_) CONSTANTIUS 1

2. LATER EVIDENCE:

(i.) A BRITON’S ACCOUNT _Gildas_ 3

(ii.) THE ENGLISH TRADITION:

(_a_) BEDE 6

(_b_) THE WESSEX _A.-S. Chronicle_ 8 ACCOUNT

597. THE MISSION OF AUGUSTINE _Bede_ 10

_c._ 600. ETHELBERT’S DOOMS _Thorpe_ 13

601. POPE GREGORY’S LETTER TO 15 AUGUSTINE ON THE ORGANISATION OF THE CHURCH

603. AUGUSTINE’S ATTEMPT TO UNITE _Bede_ 17 THE ROMAN AND THE CELTIC CHURCHES

625. PAULINUS AND EDWIN _Bede_ 19

627. EDWIN OF NORTHUMBRIA HOLDS A _Bede_ 22 CONFERENCE

635. THE CHARACTER OF BISHOP AIDAN _Bede_ 24

642. OSWIN OF NORTHUMBRIA AND _Bede_ 25 AIDAN

664. THE SYNOD OF WHITBY _Bede_ 27

664. ABBOT BENEDICT BISCOP’S ZEAL _Bede_ 28 FOR RELIGIOUS ART

673. THE SYNOD OF HERTFORD _Bede_ 31

678. THEODORE AND WILFRID _Eddius Stephanus_ 34

680. THE STORY OF CÆEDMON _Bede_ 35

681. WILFRID CONVERTS THE SOUTH _Bede_ 37 SAXONS

687. SAINT CUTHBERT (1) AS ABBOT, _Bede_ 39 (2) AS ANCHORITE

_c._ 700. THE DOOMS OF INE _Thorpe_ 41

716. CEOLFRID, ABBOT OF JARROW _Bede_ 44

720-730. A RIDDLE OF CYNEWULF 48

722. POPE GREGORY II. COMMENDS 49 BONIFACE

731. THE STATE OF ENGLAND _Bede_ 50

731. BEDE’S ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF, _Bede_ 52 HIS HISTORICAL AUTHORITIES AND METHODS

786. THE FAITHFUL THEGNS _A.-S. Chronicle_ 54

787-870. THE COMING OF THE DANES _A.-S. Chronicle_ 56

796. A LETTER FROM CHARLES THE 59 GREAT TO OFFA

827. THE BRETWALDAS _A.-S. Chronicle_ 61

871-878. ALFRED AND THE DANES _A.-S. Chronicle_ 62

_c._ 885. ALFRED AND GUTHRUM’S PEACE _Thorpe_ 66

_c._ 890. ALFRED’S DOOMS _Thorpe_ 67

_c._ 890. OHTHERE’S VOYAGE OF _Alfred’s “Orosius”_ 70 EXPLORATION, TOLD TO KING ALFRED

907-925. EDWARD’S POLICY _A.-S. Chronicle_ 73

_c._ 930. ATHELSTAN’S DOOM CONCERNING _Thorpe_ 76 HOT IRON AND WATER

937. THE BATTLE OF BRUNANBURH _A.-S. Chronicle_ 77

940. A LAND BOC _Earle_ 79

946. DUNSTAN IS MADE ABBOT OF “_B._” 82 GLASTONBURY BY KING EDMUND

973. EDGAR’S CORONATION, WHITSUN _Anon._ 84 DAY

978. THE MURDER OF EDWARD AT CORFE _Anon._ 86

980-1002. THE REDELESS KING AND THE _A.-S. Chronicle_ 88 DANES

991. THE BATTLE OF MALDON _A.-S. Poem_ 92

_c._ 1000. COUNTRY LIFE AT THE END OF _Ælfric_ 95 THE TENTH CENTURY

1016. EDMUND AND CANUTE _A.-S. Chronicle_ 100

_c._ 1025. PEOPLES’ DUTIES AND RIGHTS IN _Thorpe_ 103 THE TIME OF CANUTE

1027. CANUTE’S LETTER FROM ROME _William of Malmesbury_ 107

1029-1060. RANKS AMONG THE ENGLISH _Thorpe_ 110

1051. SAXON AND NORMAN _A.-S. Chronicle_ 110

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE _William of Malmesbury_ 113 ENGLISH BEFORE THE CONQUEST

1066. A NORMAN ACCOUNT OF THE _William of Malmesbury_ 115 BATTLE OF HASTINGS

1066. THE LAST OF THE NORTHMEN AND _A.-S. Chronicle_ 117 OF THE ENGLISH

NOTE ON THE CHIEF AUTHORITIES 119

THE WELDING OF THE RACE (“449”-1066)

THE COMING OF THE ENGLISH (“449”).

1. CONTEMPORARY EVIDENCE.

=Source.=—_Chronica Gallica_, written up to 511, probably early in the sixth century. _Mon. Germ. Hist., Auct. Antiq._, ix., 2, pp. 653, 660.

The sixteenth year of Arcadius and Honorius [_i.e._, A.D. 410]: at this time the strength of the Romans was utterly wasted by sickness, and the provinces of Britain were laid waste by the incursion of the Saxons.

The eighteenth year of Theodosius II. [_i.e._, A.D. 441]: the provinces of Britain, which up to this time had been torn by various slaughters and disasters, are brought under the dominion of the Saxons.

=Source.=—Constantius, _Life of St. Germanus_, written about A.D. 480, quoted by Bede, bk. i., c. 20. Translated by J. A. Giles. Bohn’s Antiquarian Library.

A.D. 429.—In the meanwhile the Saxons and the Picts, driven into one camp by the same necessity, with conjoined force undertook war against the Britons, who, thinking themselves unequal to their enemies, implored the assistance of the holy bishops; who, hastening to them as they had promised, inspired so much confidence into these fearful people, that one would have thought they had been joined by a mighty army. Thus, by these apostolic leaders, Christ Himself commanded in their camp. The holy days of Lent were also at hand, and were rendered more sacred by the presence of the bishops, insomuch that the people being instructed by daily sermons, resorted in crowds to be baptised; for most of the army desired admission to the saving waters; a church was prepared with boughs for the feast of the Resurrection of our Lord, and so fitted up in that martial camp, as if it were in a city. The army advanced, still wet with the baptismal water; the faith of the people was strengthened; and whereas human power had before been despaired of, the Divine assistance was now relied upon. The enemy received advice of the state of the army, and not questioning their success against an unarmed multitude, hastened forwards, but their approach was, by the scouts, made known to the Britons; the greater part of whose forces being just come from the font, after the celebration of Easter, and preparing to arm and carry on the war, Germanus declared he would be their leader. He picked out the most active, viewed the country round about, and observed, in the way by which the enemy was expected, a valley encompassed with hills. In that place he drew up his inexperienced troops, himself acting as their general. A multitude of fierce enemies appeared, whom as soon as those that lay in ambush saw approaching, Germanus, bearing in his hands the standard, instructed his men all in a loud voice to repeat his words, and the enemy advancing securely, as thinking to take them by surprise, the priests three times cried Hallelujah. A universal shout of the same word followed, and the hills resounding the echo on all sides, the enemy was struck with dread, fearing, that not only the neighbouring rocks, but even the very skies were falling upon them; and such was their terror, that their feet were not swift enough to deliver them from it. They fled in disorder, casting away their arms, and well satisfied if, with their naked bodies, they could escape the danger; many of them, in their precipitate and hasty flight, were swallowed up by the river which they were passing. The Britons, without the loss of a man, beheld their vengeance complete, and became inactive spectators of their victory. The scattered spoils were gathered up, and the pious soldiers rejoiced in the success which heaven had granted them. The prelates thus triumphed over the enemy without bloodshed, and gained a victory by faith, without the aid of human force; and, having settled the affairs of the island, and restored tranquillity by the defeat, as well as of the invisible, as of the carnal enemies, prepared to return home. Their own merits, and the intercession of the holy martyr Alban, obtained them a safe passage, and the happy vessel restored them in peace to their rejoicing people.

2. LATER EVIDENCE.

(i.) _A Briton’s Account._

=Source.=—Gildas, _Liber Querulus_, §§ 22-26, written about A.D. 540-560. Translated by J. A. Giles. _Six Old English Chronicles_, Bohn’s Antiquarian Library.

A vague rumour, suddenly as if on wings, reaches the ears of all, that their inveterate foes [the Picts and Scots] were rapidly approaching to destroy the whole country, and to take possession of it, as of old, from one end to the other.... A council was called to settle what was best and most expedient to be done, in order to repel such frequent and fatal irruptions and plunderings of the above-named nations. Then all the councillors, together with that proud tyrant [Vortigern], were so blinded, that, as a protection to their country, they sealed its doom by inviting in among them (like wolves into the sheep fold), the fierce and impious Saxons, a race hateful both to God and men, to repel the invasions of the northern nations. Nothing was ever so pernicious to our country, nothing was ever so unlucky. What palpable darkness must have enveloped their minds—darkness desperate and cruel! Those very people whom, when absent, they dreaded more than death itself, were invited to reside, as one may say, under the selfsame roof. A multitude of whelps came forth from the lair of this barbaric lioness, in three cyuls, as they call them, that is, in three ships of war, with their sails wafted by the wind and with omens and prophecies favourable, for it was foretold by a certain soothsayer among them, that they should occupy the country to which they were sailing three hundred years; and half of that time, a hundred and fifty years, should plunder and despoil the same. They first landed on the eastern side of the island, by the invitation of the unlucky king, and there fixed their sharp talons, apparently to fight in favour of the island, but, alas! more truly against it. Their motherland, finding her first brood thus successful, sends forth a larger company of her wolfish offspring, which, sailing over, join themselves to their bastard-born comrades.... The barbarians being thus introduced as soldiers into the island, to encounter, as they falsely said, any dangers in defence of their hospitable entertainers, obtain an allowance of provisions, which, for some time being plentifully bestowed, stopped their doggish mouths. Yet they complain that their monthly supplies are not furnished in sufficient abundance, and they industriously aggravate each occasion of quarrel, saying that unless more liberality is shown them, they will break the treaty and plunder the whole island. In a short time they follow up their threats with deeds. For the fire of vengeance, justly kindled by former crimes, spread from sea to sea, fed by the hands of our foes in the east, and did not cease, until, destroying the neighbouring towns and lands, it reached the other side of the island, and dipped its red and savage tongue in the western ocean.... So that all the columns were levelled with the ground by the frequent strokes of the battering ram, all the husbandmen routed, together with their bishops, priests, and people, whilst the sword gleamed, and the flames crackled around them on every side. Lamentable to behold, in the midst of the streets lay the tops of lofty towers, tumbled to the ground, stones of high walls, holy altars, fragments of human bodies, covered with livid clots of coagulated blood, looking as if they had been squeezed together in a wine-press; and with no chance of being buried save in the ruins of the houses, or in the ravening bellies of wild beasts and birds.... Some, therefore, of the miserable remnant, being taken in the mountains, were murdered in great numbers; others, constrained by famine, came and yielded themselves to be slaves for ever to their foes, running the risk of being instantly slain, which truly was the greatest favour that could be offered them: some others passed beyond the seas with loud lamentations instead of the voice of exhortation.... Others, committing the safeguard of their lives, which were in continual jeopardy, to the mountains, precipices, thickly wooded forests, and to the rocks of the seas (albeit with trembling hearts), remained still in their country. But in the meanwhile, an opportunity happening, when these most cruel robbers were returned home, the poor remnants of our nation (to whom flocked, from divers places round about, our miserable countrymen as fast as bees to their hives, for fear of an ensuing storm), being strengthened by God, calling upon him with all their hearts that they might not be brought to utter destruction, took arms under the conduct of Ambrosius Aurelianus, a modest man, who of all the Roman nation was then alone, in the confusion of this troubled period, by chance left alive. His parents, who for their merit were adorned with the purple, had been slain in these same broils, and now his progeny in these our days, although shamefully degenerated from the worthiness of their ancestors, provoke to battle their cruel conquerors, and by the goodness of our Lord obtain the victory. After this, sometimes our countrymen, sometimes the enemy, won the field, to the end that our Lord might in this land try after His accustomed manner these His Israelites, whether they loved Him or not, until the year of the siege of Bath-hill [Mons Badonicus], when took place also the last almost, though not the least slaughter of our cruel foes, which was (as I am sure) forty-four years and one month after the landing of the Saxons, and also the time of my own nativity. And yet neither to this day are the cities of our country inhabited as before, but, being forsaken and overthrown, still lie desolate.

(ii.) _The English Tradition_—(_a_) _Bede_.

=Source.=—_Eccl. Hist._, i. 15. A.D. 731. Translated by J. A. Giles. Bohn’s Library.

The Britons consulted what was to be done, and where they should seek assistance to prevent or repel the cruel and frequent incursions of the northern nations; and they all agreed with their King Vortigern to call over to their aid, from the parts beyond the sea, the Saxon nation; which, as the event still more evidently showed, appears to have been done by the appointment of our Lord Himself, that evil might fall upon them for their wicked deeds.