A67922:2061
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
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.
When Canutus was stablished in the kingdom, he called a parliament at London,1 where (among other things there debated) it was propounded to the bishops, Barons, and Lords of the parliament there present, whether that in the composition made between Edmund and Canutus, any special remembrance was made for the children, or brethren of Edmund, for any partition of any part of the land. Whereunto the english Lords falsely •latteryng with the foreign king, and speaking against their own minds, as also against their native country, answered and said nay. Affirming moreover with an oath (for the kings pleasure) that they to the uttermost of their powers, would put of the blood of Edmund, in all that they might. By reason of which answer and promise, they thought (many of them) to have purchased with the king great favour.2 But by the just retribution of God, it chanced far otherwise. For many of them, or the most part (such especially as Canutus did perceive to be sworn before time to Edmund, & his heirs: and also considering that they were native englishmen) he mistrusted and disdained ever after. In so much, that some he exiled, a great sort he beheaded, & some by Gods punishment died suddenly. Among whom wicked Edricke also the traitor (although with his sugared words he continued a while in the kings favour) at length escaped not condigne reward for his deceivable dealing. For (as the history of Jornalensis recordeth) as the king was in his palace beyond Thames, this Edricke (being belike accused, or else suspected of the king before) coming unto him, began to reckon up his benefits & labours bestowed for his sake. First, in forsaking and betraying Egelred, then in slaying king Edmund his son, with many such other deeds moe,3 which all for his sake he had done. Well saith the king, thou hast here rightly judged thy self, and worthily thou shalt dye, for slaying thy natural Prince, & my sworn brother. And so commanded him to be bound immediately hand and foot, & to be thrown into Thames. Some stories say, that when he had saluted the king with Ave rex solus, and showed him the slaying of Edmund, Canutus (promising that he would make him therefore higher then all the lords of the realm) commanded his head to be stricken off, & to be set upon London bridge, and his body to be cast in the town ditch.