CHAPTER IV
EDWIN
In the depths of the forests of the upper Trent valley there was awide clearing, and, near the river-bank, on a rising ground slopinggently inland but abruptly towards the bank, there was an extensiverange of buildings erected round a large court, and surrounded by aquickset hedge. This was Repton, the royal seat of Kearl the son ofKinemund, King of the Mercians. Large bodies of men and many tetheredhorses were at the foot of the slope. Under the hedge, a few paces fromthe gate, sat a handsome young man about twenty-eight years of age,with his weapons thrown down on the grass beside him. It was evidentlya time of listlessness and peace. He was playing with two littleboys. He was making them go through their _idrottir_, or exercises."Now, Eadfrid," said the young man, "stand up by the side of thy tallbrother Offrid." The little lads stood like small sentries. "Mark yourdistance, and pick up your clubs." This manoeuvre was also successfullyperformed. "Offrid, whirl thy club; Eadfrid, raise thine over thyhead and lower slowly." The boys went to work, looking delighted.After a time they began playing at ball, while their father looked on,encouraging them and laughing. Meanwhile there was a stir among themen at the foot of the hill, and presently seven warriors, splendidlyaccoutred, walked up towards the gate, which startled the boys at theirplay. The young man rose, and, to his astonishment, the strangers kneltdown and saluted him as their King. He told them to rise and explainwhence they came and who they were. Coelred, Porlor, Lilla, Bassus,Forthere, Sivel, and Godric stood before Edwin, the son of Ella. Theygave him the message from his sister Alca, and said that they wouldfight by his side until he was restored to his throne, and serve himuntil death, for his own and his sister's sake. Edwin was a tall man,like his father and his uncle Elfric, beautifully proportioned, withfair curling hair, and earnest eyes, which betokened habits of thoughtand reflection, unusual in that age. He received his loyal friendscordially, but without any strong demonstrations, introduced them tothe Mercian King, and saw to their comfort.
At the first opportunity, Coelred explained the state of affairs ingreater detail, and Edwin said it was right that he should put hisposition fully before his supporters. "You have doubtless heard,"he began, "that I was carried off by old Brand when the Berniciansconquered my country. He took me to the land of Gwynedd, and foundshelter and a home for me near the abode of a good old British priestnamed Urien, whose son was my playmate. The grand old warrior watchedover my helpless childhood and my youth. But at last he began tofail and died. To him I owe my life and all the good that is in me."Coelred pointed to Forthere and said, "There stands the son of Brand ofUlfskelf." Edwin at once went up to Forthere, embraced him, and tookboth his hands, pressing them affectionately. "As my father was tothee," said Forthere, "so will I be until death parts us."
Edwin proceeded with his narrative. "When I grew to be a boy, Iremembered the stories of old Brand, and longed to be again among theEnglish. So I bade farewell to Urien, and to my playmate Rhunn, hisson, who was also intended to be a priest, and went to seek my fortune.They never tried to convert me to their religion--the British priestsnever do--and I worship the gods of my fathers. I will not weary youwith the story of my wanderings and adventures. At last I soughtprotection from the King of Mercia. He received me, and treated me asa brother. I have fought for him in all his wars, and he gave me hissister Quenberga for my wife. She died, leaving me two little sons. Iam now dependent on the will of my brother-in-law; my horse, even myarms, are not my own. I cannot even entertain my friends. How then canI hope to recover my kingdom?" "We have considered all these things,"said Coelred. "We have not come empty-handed to be a burden to you.We have enough to equip a bodyguard of a hundred men, well armed andmounted, with which our King may fight his way from one end of Englandto the other, and appear as a worthy son of Ella." Edwin went round andpressed the hand of each. "How can I express my thanks?" he said. "Byusing our services as you see best," they all replied. "But the time isnot yet ripe for the recovery of Deira."
A few days afterwards Edwin called his followers together. "Mybrother-in-law, King Kearl of Mercia," he said, "has granted licenseto me to take a hundred men into my service. There are tidings fromWessex that the Britons are gathering together a great army tooverwhelm the sons of Cerdic. Let us offer them our swords and fightfor them, while the course of events in Deira ripens for action." Theproposal was received with acclamation. "There is one thing only thattroubles me, the care of my little sons. I dare not leave them here,"he continued, "for if anything happened to Kearl, and his cousin, thesavage and brutal Penda, succeeded, they would be as lambs in the jawsof a wolf." Godric then spoke. "My King," he said, "although I am aman of the Gainas, I am married in Deira, and came with my friends toswear obedience to Edwin. I must return to my home, there to preparethe way for your march northwards at the appointed time. Entrust yoursons to my care. I will guard them with my life. My place is strong, myfollowers are true. There will be no suspicion of their identity. Theywill be safe."
There were several weeks of preparation. Edwin bade a tender farewellto his little boys, who rode away with Godric. Soon afterwards hetook leave of his brother-in-law, and fared southwards with his sixpaladins, followed by a hundred well-armed Mercian warriors.
The Gewissae had acquired their still disputed territory after a longand obstinate struggle with the Britons. When Cerdic and his son Cynriclanded in 495 they had to fight on the first day. In 508 there was agreat battle, in which the British king Natan-leod was slain with 5000men. Cerdic did not assume the position of King of Wessex until 519; hefought another battle in 527, and conquered the Isle of Wight in 530.Dying in 534, Cerdic was succeeded by his son Cynric, who fought twodesperate battles with the Britons at Old Sarum and at Banbury, beforehe also died in 560. His two sons Ceawlin and Cutha continued thestruggle with great vigour. In 571 Cutha fought the Britons at Bedford,and captured the four British towns of Lenbury, Aylesbury, Benson, andEynsham. Advancing westward, Ceawlin took the towns of Gloucester,Cirencester, and Bath, and in a great battle killed three British kingsnamed Comail, Candidan, and Farinmeail at Derham. He fought anotherbattle at Frethern, taking many towns and vast spoils, but on thisoccasion his brother Cutha was slain. Ceawlin was deposed and put todeath in 593, and his successor Ceolwulf had to fight incessantly, thatthe Gewissae might hold their own. In 611 Ceolwulf was succeeded by hisnephew Kingils, or Cynegils, who, during his long reign of thirty-oneyears, did much to consolidate and extend the realm of Wessex. Hewas a grandson of Cutha, the brother of Ceawlin, who were grandsonsof Cerdic. In some way Cynegils had his faithless and truculent sonCuichelm associated with him in the government, and in 614 the twoleaders were collecting all their forces to the north of the Thames, torepel a great invasion of the Britons.
Edwin, with his small but effective reinforcement, was receivedwith great joy by Cynegils. Under the advice of Lilla and Bassus, thelittle force was formed into scouting parties, which were of immenseuse in keeping Cynegils well informed respecting the movements andposition of the enemy. The two armies gradually approached each otherat a place called Bampton. A council was held, and Edwin advised, atthe suggestion of Bassus, that Cuichelm, who held a separate command,should be detached round some woods and swampy ground to make adiversion, while the Kings attacked the hostile army in front. Cuichelmwhispered with his principal thegn, a fierce and savage-looking mannamed Eumer, and then spoke against the adoption of Edwin's advice.After a few more remarks from other thegns, he refused to move. Hisforce was encamped on a rising ground apart from the main army. "Atleast," said Cynegils, "I shall expect you to support me as soon asthe battle begins." "Let your new friends support you," said Cuichelmbrutally, and both he and Eumer scowled sullenly at the strangers.Eumer was heard to say, "Let us see if these new friends of Cynegilscan win the fight without us. We will not help them." The Britonswere advancing rapidly, and a few hours afterwards Cynegils ledhis army to the attack. The fight was long and obstinate. Withoutthe aid of Cuichelm's force the Britons had a great super
iority innumbers. Cynegils and Edwin were hard pressed. At one time their menbegan to give way, but they were gallantly rallied by the paladinsand some of the Wessex thegns, and fought on with renewed vigour.Message after message was sent to Cuichelm for help, but he wouldnot move. At length, towards sunset, the Britons began to retreat,but it was not until their retreat had been converted into a routthat the recreants led their men down and began the pursuit. It was adesperately-contested battle, and the Britons left 265 men dead on thefield. Ethelwerd gives the number of slain at 2040. Edwin, Forthere,and Bassus were wounded, the latter severely. Old Ingebrand, who hadattached himself to Forthere since the death of Hereric, fell fightingby his side.
Next day Cuichelm and Eumer came to Cynegils to give an account ofthe success of their pursuit. Edwin was present, and before all thethegns declared them to be niddring and unworthy companions. The Kingof Deira was then assisted into his camping hut, while Cuichelm andEumer cast looks of malignant hatred at the warrior they had treatedso shamefully. The wounds healed under nature's treatment, and thepatients were nearly in a state to resume work, when the King of Wessexpaid a visit to his guest. He seemed ashamed and deeply moved. ThankingEdwin and his friends warmly for their most efficient aid, he entreatedthem to leave the country. "There is a plot against your life," hesaid, "and at this moment I cannot promise either to ensure your safetyor to be able effectually to punish the guilty. If anything evil befellmy guests while they were within my jurisdiction, I could not survivethe shame."
Immediate departure could be the only answer to this appeal. Edwin,with his friends, fared northwards, wanderers and homeless. Thetreasure that Coelred brought with him was nearly spent, and it wasnecessary to pay and dismiss the Mercian bodyguard. After a longconsultation, Edwin resolved to seek protection from Redwald, the Kingof East Anglia.
The kingdom of East Anglia had been founded in about 495 A.D. by Uffa,a leader of the English, and closely allied to the Deirans, whosedescendants were known as Uffingas. Redwald, who was a grandson ofUffa, had succeeded in 593. His dominions extended over the territoryincluded in the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and thesouth part of Lincolnshire. Redwald was a sovereign of considerablecapacity. He enjoyed great influence, and after the death of Ethelbertof Kent in 616 he was acknowledged as Bretwalda. Redwald received Edwinand his friends with hospitality. They found him at a fortified grangeor country house near Sleaford, not far from the northern frontier ofhis dominions; and here they continued to reside, sending messages toGodric, who assured Edwin that his boys were well, and that the Gainasand Lindisfarnas were being persuaded to join him, when he shouldadvance northwards.
It was not long before the presence of Edwin and the great Deiranthegns at the court of Redwald reached the ears of Ethelfrith the Wild.He immediately sent messengers offering the East Anglian King a largesum of money if he would murder Edwin. Redwald indignantly refused.Soon afterwards a second embassy arrived with the same result. Thencame a third embassy offering the choice of compliance or war. Redwaldhesitated. Ethelfrith had the reputation of being the ablest as well asthe most ruthless leader among the English, and he was very powerful.The King of East Anglia was fond of "hedging." In after years he hada chapel containing an altar to Christ and another to Woden, and heworshipped at both. He promised to deliver Edwin up to Ethelfrith'senvoy or else to make away with him. The interview was secret and atnight, but Coelred and Porlor had the eyes of lynxes in the serviceof their master. Among the Bernician envoys they noticed one who wasevidently disguised and ill at ease. They suspected him of being Coifi.As the envoys went from Redwald's presence to their lodging, the twobrothers seized the man they suspected, hurried him under a clump oftrees, and whispered "Coifi!" He trembled. "Coifi! we know you. If ahair of our King's head is harmed, we have sworn to kill you. Tell useverything, or this is your last hour." The wretch confessed all.
Coelred went at once to Edwin's chamber, where he was going tobed, and told him what was designed by his host. "If you see fit,"he said, "we will at once take you out of this place, fighting ourway if necessary, and conduct you to Godric's home, where the Gainasare friendly, and where you will be safe for the time." But Edwin hadlost heart, and for the moment he was overwhelmed by his calamities."I thank you for your good will," he replied, "yet I cannot do whatyou propose. If I must die, let it rather be by Redwald's hand thanby that of any meaner person." Coelred retired, in great sadness, toseek his brother, while Edwin dressed and sat against the outer wall ofthe palace. He was overwhelmed by many thoughts, not knowing what todo, or which way to turn. When he had been there a long time, broodingover his misfortunes in anguish of mind, he saw a person approachingin the dead of night. The stranger, coming closer, saluted him, andasked him "why he sat there alone and melancholy on a stone, at thattime of night, when every one else was in bed and fast asleep?" Edwinin his turn asked, "What is it to thee whether I spend the night withindoors or abroad?" The stranger in reply said, "Do not think that I amignorant of the cause of your grief, your watching, and sitting alonewithout. For I know who you are and why you grieve, and the evils whichyou fear will befall you. But tell me what reward you will give theman that shall deliver you out of this anguish, and persuade Redwaldneither to do you any harm himself nor to deliver you to be murdered byyour enemies." Edwin replied, "I will give that person all that I amable, for so singular a favour." The stranger added, "What if I alsoassure you that you shall overcome your enemies and surpass in powernot only all your progenitors, but even all that have reigned beforeyou over the English nation?" Edwin did not hesitate to promise thathe would make a suitable return to him who should so highly obligehim. Then said the other, "But if he who foretells that so much goodis to befall you can also give you better advice for your life andsalvation than any of your progenitors or kindred ever heard of, do youconsent to submit to him, and to follow his wholesome counsel?" Edwindid not hesitate to promise that he would in all things follow thedirections of that man who should deliver him from so many calamitiesand raise him to a throne. The stranger then laid his hand on Edwin'shead, saying, "When this sign shall be given you, remember this presentdiscourse that has passed between us, and do not delay the performanceof what you now promise." It was too dark for Edwin to make out thestranger's features, and he disappeared in the obscurity of the night.
Meanwhile, Coelred and Porlor had not been idle. Porlor had foundfavour with the Queen's attendants, and persuaded them to prevailupon her to grant him an audience, even at that late hour. He toldher what he had discovered from Coifi, and entreated her to save herhusband from the shame of perpetrating such a disgraceful crime as wasinvolved in the murder or betrayal of an honoured guest. She promisedto do all in her power, telling Porlor to await the result without.Soon afterwards Redwald went to the Queen's apartment. His mind was notmade up, although he had wished to satisfy the envoys. His wife now putthe matter before him in such dark colours that there was a violentrevulsion of feeling. His face was crimson with shame. He left herswearing that not only was Edwin safe, but that he would help him togain his crown. The Queen then sent for Porlor, and told him the resultof her interview.
Coelred and Porlor were overjoyed. They hurried off in search ofEdwin, and as they came up to him, Coelred cried out, "Arise. Go in andcompose yourself to sleep without fear, for the King's resolution isaltered. He designs to do you no harm, but rather to assist you withhis power." "Was ever man blessed with truer friends!" cried Edwin,as he embraced the brothers. Next day Edwin related to Coelred hismidnight interview with the stranger, which Coelred repeated to theother friends. Forthere greeted it with a loud laugh, and said, "I haveseen a monk secretly prowling about, and I recognised him as one I hadknown before at Monte Cassiano. His name is Paulinus. Redwald allowedhim to come, and listened to his discourses several times through aninterpreter, but would not permit him to appear in the daytime. TheKing of the East Anglians wishes to keep on good terms both with Wodenand with Christ. Hence this secrecy. The night bird has gone
now,and will not be seen again. But mark my words. He is busy hatching amiracle." And Forthere laughed again.
The King of the East Anglians announced his intention of defending hisguest, and, if the gods were favourable, of restoring him to his crown.But he said that Ethelfrith was a most formidable antagonist, and thathe would give them but little breathing-time. Redwald's fine youngsons, Reynhere and Eorpwald, were sent to bring together fighting menas rapidly as possible. Messengers were despatched to Godric, for Lillaand Bassus felt that their hopes must rest on the result of Godric'swork during the last year, and on the blunders of Ethelfrith. The newsfrom Godric was excellent. Saebald had arrived at Markham with hisBillingas and with the Athelings, Osric and Oswin. Blecca, the greatthegn of Lindum, promised to join with the Lindiswaras, and the Gainaswere stanch.
The Bernician envoys were dismissed with contumely and defiance.Ethelfrith was furious, and committed every blunder of which an angryman could be guilty. He summoned the Deiran thegns to York, and actedso suspiciously, and with such insolence, that they refused his summonsto join him with their men, and remained neutral, if not hostile.Levies came in from Bernicia, and as soon as he had what he considereda sufficient force, the doomed King marched rapidly to the south. Hecommitted the further blunders of despising his enemy and of taking notrouble to ascertain his numbers or his plans. The wild King crossedthe Don and marched across the country of the Gainas, direct forSleaford.
"We must be satisfied with our present force, and with the aid thatGodric will bring us, as time will not allow us to wait for furtherreinforcements," said Bassus, in consultation with the two Kings. "Iknow the wild King, and he will do everything in haste. We shouldadvance rapidly to Godric's home at Markham, near the river Idle.There will the blow be struck." His advice was taken, and in two daysRedwald's army was massed at Markham. Once more Edwin embraced hislittle boys, and saw his two cousins, Osric and Oswin, for the firsttime. With himself, the house of Deira now consisted of five malescions.
Lilla and Bassus laid their plans with admirable skill, leavingnothing to chance. The village of Markham is divided from the riverIdle by a gentle rising ground. Godric and Blecca were placed half amile to the north, with the Gainas and Lindiswaras, just below therise, so as to be out of sight from the river. Redwald's main armywas to begin to appear on the rise the moment Ethelfrith reachedthe river-bank. This would make him hurry his men across furiously,and not until the last man was over was the advance to be made. Theriver was to be just in rear of the Bernicians. Scouts kept Bassusexactly informed of the enemy's approach. Ethelfrith despised all suchprecautions. Things fell out exactly as was intended. The wild Kingshouted and waved his sword when he saw the East Anglians appearing onthe crest of the hill. They halted, and, directly the last Bernicianwas across, Redwald and Edwin advanced resolutely to the attack.Godric alone was visible on the sky-line to the north, and the excitedEthelfrith did not notice him. A desperate hand-to-hand combatcommenced. Forthere was in the thick of it. He saw the Bernician Kingwith the glittering gilded boar on his helmet, shouting and callingon his men. The Berserker rage possessed the son of Brand. Furiouslydealing blows to right and left, he hewed his way to that gilded boar,and reached it just as Ethelfrith killed the brave young Reynhereand brutally stamped on his body. The two warriors glared at eachother. Forthere was a much younger and stronger man. "Niddring andmurderer!" he shouted, as he beat down the wild King's guard. "That forHereric, and that! and that!" and he dealt him three tremendous blows.Ethelfrith was on one knee, and Forthere ran him through.
At the moment when Forthere first descried the helmet with the gildedboar, Godric disappeared from the sky-line. By the time Forthere hadcrossed swords with Ethelfrith, the Gainas and Lindiswaras were pouringover the hillside and falling furiously on the enemy's left flank.When the wild King was seen to fall, the Bernicians tried to retreat.The river was in their rear, a fresh enemy on their flank. Very fewprisoners were taken, and Ethelfrith's forces were nearly annihilated.Next morning Edwin bade farewell to Redwald in a speech full ofgraceful thanks. The voice of the East Anglian King was broken withgrief. He said, "I have opened the road wide for you, my friend. I mustnow go home to bury my dead. Farewell!"
Lilla urged upon Edwin that if his movements were prompt the whole ofDeira and Bernicia could be secured as far as the Forth. Edwin fullyconcurred. Not an hour must be wasted. He thanked Godric and Bleccawarmly for their effective aid, and marched northwards. At first hislittle force only consisted of Saebald's Billingas and some Gainasunder Godric. But the march was like a triumphal procession. By thetime he reached York the whole available force of Deira was underhis banner. There was scarcely a halt. Osric was left in command atYork to restore order, and the King marched rapidly northwards. AtBambrough he found that one of the Bernician thegns had taken all thesons of Ethelfrith and fled with them into the country of the Picts.Edwin lamented the loss of Oswald, his sister's son. Nearly all theother Bernician thegns came into Bambrough and promised obedience. Hethen advanced to the shores of the Forth, the northern frontier of hisdominions. Here he established a settlement, and built a fortress on ahigh and impregnable rock. It was called Edwins-burg (Edinburgh). Whenhe returned to York, Edwin was undisputed ruler of the great unitedkingdom of Northumbria, extending from the Humber to the Forth.
The work was not yet done. But there were a few weeks of rest. Lillawas able to visit his beloved Bergliot at Hemingborough, bringing thelittle Atheling Oswin with him, to be brought up with his own twosons and the Princess Ebba. Coelred strongly advised that a final endshould be put to the independence of Elmet, which had become a seriousnuisance. He had been at Stillingfleet, and when he returned to theKing he found that Coifi was in prison. The friends determined tointercede for him. They remembered the gleeman of their boyhood, hewho had taught them the glorious song of Beowulf and all the northernlore, they remembered that Alca had acquitted him, and that his latesttreason was atoned for by full confession. At their intercession Edwincontemptuously told Coifi that he was free to return to his images atGodmundham.
A large force was organised for the final conquest of Elmet. TheKing invited his cousin Braga to accompany him, to take part in asacred duty. There was little resistance. The Britons fled in a bodytowards Strathclyde, leaving the country to be settled by the advancingEnglish. At Barwick-in-Elmet the small tumulus hurriedly raised byForthere over the body of Hereric was found. The beloved remains wereembalmed with the frankincense and myrrh brought from Ujjayani, andwrapped in the precious calico and muslin. All his companions, who hadloved the Atheling so well, stood round the body of Hereric, with hiswife Braga and his two little daughters. There was not a dry eye inthe assemblage. King Edwin then ordered that the largest and highesttumulus in the land should be raised above the most noble and the mostbeloved prince of his race.
The King resolved to extend his power from sea to sea, and to includethe Mevanian Islands in his dominions. Scarcely any resistance wasmade, and to Coelred was entrusted the conquest of the isles, he beingthe ablest and most experienced seaman in Edwin's service. Coelred andPorlor equipped a small but efficient fleet of armed boats at Chester,having brought over a number of good sailors from the Humber. Theirexpedition was ably conducted and was most successful. The inhabitantsof both the islands submitted, and agreed to acknowledge King Edwin astheir lord.
When the sons of Seomel returned home, there was lasting peacethroughout the vast dominions of Edwin the Great. The members of theCoelred-_Gemot_ formed the seven firm and solid pillars which supportedthe edifice of his power.
At first the friends had served Edwin for his sister's sake, but theysoon began to love him for himself. His good qualities were not onthe surface. He was generous, unsuspicious, and not vindictive. Hisfriendships were not quickly formed, but they were deep and lasting. Henow looked upon his seven paladins as brothers. He was a man of rareability and sound judgment. He was slow to form a decided opinion.He pondered long over what he was told, dismissing it from his mindand
recalling it again two or three times, before he reverted to thesubject and announced his decision. When a resolution was once taken heacted promptly and vigorously. He soon became devoted to his country,and placed the good of his people before all earthly considerations;and he was endowed with rare gifts which enabled him to secure it. Hehad common sense surely guiding him to the right course, even when thematerials for forming a sound judgment were incomplete or inadequate.He was far in advance of his age by reason of his genius, and not owingto the extraordinary accidents which raised his paladins so high abovetheir countrymen in knowledge and experience. Such a man, with suchmarvellous assistance, could not fail to become a great sovereign. Thefriends had not poured their experiences into his ears at once and infull detail, as they did in the case of his sister Alca. After muchanxious consultation they had only astonished him with a bare outlineof their stories, reserving particular points to be explained to him inorder to illustrate discussions on measures or decisions, as the casesarose. By this course they believed they would be most useful in theservice of their King.
Aldby, his birthplace and the beloved home of his peerless sister Alcathe Queen, became the favourite residence of King Edwin.
The Paladins of Edwin the Great Page 19