A67922:1916
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol.…Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol.…
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol. 1] with an universal history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitive age to these latter times of ours, with the bloody times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions against the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperors, as now lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realm of England and Scotland. Newly revised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time again published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the help of Christ our Lord) John Fox, which desireth thee good reader to help him with thy prayer.Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.
London: printed by John Daye, 1583London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1583
Book 3 › ¶ King Ethelstane, or Athelstan.Book 3 › ¶ King Ethelstane, or Adelstane.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Not long after, the said Constantine King of Scots did break covenant with king Ethelstane. Wherefore he assembled his Knights, & made toward Scotland. Where he subduing his enemies, and bringing them again unto due subjection, returned into England with victory. Here by the way in some story writers (who forgetting the office of historicians, seem to play the Poets) is written and recorded for a marvel, that the said Ethelstane, returning out of Scotland into England, came to York, and so into the Church of S. John of Beverly,1 to redeem his knife, which before he had left there for a pledge at his going forth. In the which place he praying to God & to S. John of Beverley, that he might leave there some remembrance whereby they that came after, might know, that the Scots by right should be subdued to the English men: smote with sword (they say) upon a great hard stone standing near about the castle of Dunbar, that with the stroke thereof the stone was cut a large ell deep (with a lie no less deep also, then was the stroke in the stone.) But of this poetical or fabulous story, albeit Polychronicon, Fabian, Jornalensis, and other moe constantly accord in the same: yet in Guliel and Henricus, no mention is made at all. But peradventure he that was the inventor first of this tale of the stone, was disposed to lie for the whetstone: Wherefore in my mind he is worthy to have it.
Not long after, the sayde Constantine King of Scottes did breake couenaunt with king Ethelstane. Wherefore hee assembled his Knights, & made toward Scotland. Where he subduing his enemies, and bringing them againe vnto due subiection, returned into England with victory. Here by the way in some storie wryters (who forgetting the office of historicians, seme to play the Poetes) is written and recorded for a maruell, that the sayde Ethelstane, returning out of Scotland into England, came to Yorke, and so into the Churche of S. Iohn of Beuerly,1 to redeeme his knife, which before hee had lefte there for a pledge at hys going forth. In the which place he praying to God & to S. Ihon of Beuerley, that he might leaue there some remembrance wherby they that came after, might know, that the Scots by right should be sudbued to the English mē: smote with sword (they say) vpon a great hard stone standing nere about the castle of Dunbar, that with the stroke thereof the stone was cut a large elne deepe (with a lie no lesse deepe also, then was the stroke in the stone.) But of this poetical or fabulous storie, albeit Polychronicon, Fabian, Iornalensis, and other mo constantly accorde in the same: yet in Guliel and Henricus, no mention is made at all. But peraduenture hee that was the inuentour first of this tale of the stone, was disposed to lie for the whetstone: Wherefore in my minde he is worthy to haue it.