CONTENTS

OF

THE SECOND VOLUME.

OSTRIDA AND WERBURGA,

Queens of Ethelred and Ceolred.

Ostrida marries Ethelred, the youngest son of Penda-Elfwin
slain-Archbishop Theodore endeavours to reconcile the
Kings-Ostrida removes the bones of Saint Oswald-Abbey
of Bardney-The miracle of the pillar of light-The standard
-Embroidery-The spinsters-Visit of Ethelhild-Holy dust
-Its effect-Ostrida slain-Ferocity of the times-Ethelred
abdicates-He becomes Abbot at Bardney-Kenred makes
a pilgrimage to Rome-Werburga enters a convent

QUENBURGA, QUENSWITHA, AND ALFLEDA,

Queens of Alfred, Penda, and Peada.

The daughters of Penda-Penda's warlike propensities-

Queen Keneswitha accepts the care of Oswy's son-Quen-

burga's marriage-Peada and Alfleda-Stipulations-Peada

baptised at Carlisle-Penda's opinions—Influence of females

in conversion - Quenburga's devotion-Court of Alfred a

monastic school-Alfred's death Quenburga returns to her

father's dominions-Retires to Dormund Caistor-The three

sisters all become nuns-Pendas death-Death of Peada—

His wife, his mother, and his mistress suspected of his mur-

der-Oswy seizes his dominions-Two young princesses take

the veil.

HERESWYTHA, SEXBURGA, ETHELDREDA, ERMEN-

BURGA, AND ERMENILDA,

Queens of Anna, Ercombert, Egfrid, and Wulphere.

Religious enthusiasm-Church building-Queen Hereswytha,

"the Mother of many Saints"-Her husband, King Anna-

Etheldreda and Thonbert-She retires to a monastery-Her

second marriage to Egfrid-Their establishment-Egfrid's

remonstrance-Etheldreda goes to a convent, accompanied by

VOL. II.

b

Bishop Wilfred-Architecture and Church Music patronised

by Wilfred-Anger of Egfrid-Their separation-He re-mar-

ries-Ermenburga persecutes Wilfred - Anglo-Saxon car-

riage-Wilfred's trials-Sexburga's piety-Her daughter-

The Abbess Hildegitha-The Convent of Minstre- Erme-

nilda's, and her young daughter Werburga's, piety-Murder

of the young princes, Wulfade and Rufin-Werburga's pro-

fession-The Abbess Etheldreda's edifying death-St.

Audrey's lace, and St. Etheldred's chain-Ely Monastery

-Sexburga's happy death-The butterfly shadow-Mira-

cles-St. Werburga, the Patroness of Chester-Ely Cathedral

-Antiquities-The stone cross of Etheldreda

DOMNEVA,

Queen of Merowald.

Lady Eva-Marriage with the son of Penda-The Queen

takes the veil in her husband Merowald's life-She founds

the Abbey of Minstre, to atone for the murder of her brothers

by Egbert-"The Deer's course"-Pious ruse- - Fate of

Thunor the murderer-The humility of Mildred-Leobgitha's

verses-Gold and silver ink-The Abbess Eadburga-The

letters of St. Boniface to the pious Abbess-The Danes-

Mildgitha retires to Estrey-Estrey Court-The sepulchres

of the murdered princes there-Mildburga and her father—

Their tombs in the Abbey of Wenlock

ETHELBURGA AND FRIDOGITHA,

Queens of Ina and Ethelard.

Invasion of Ivor and Ina-Conditions of the Conquerors-

Marriage of Ethelburga to Ivor-His death, and her marriage

to his successor, Ina-The arch of Taunton Castle-Eald-

bryght Clito besieged by Ethelburga-The "Western Key

of the Kingdom"-The Laws of Ina-Guala-The learned

men of Ina's time-The Abbey of Glastonbury, and its rich

endowments-Ethelburga's pious project-The splendid ban-

quet and the contrast-Its effect on the King-Discourse

of Ethelburga-The Crown resigned - Ethelard - Prepara-

tions for a pilgrimage to Rome-Departure of the King and

Queen as pilgrims-Arrival in Rome-Religious acts-The

Saxon school of Ina at Rome-Rome scot-Return to England

of the royal pair-Death of Ina-Ethelburga at Barking-

Cuthberga, Abbess of Wimbourne-Canonization of the

Abbess-Queen-The three daughters of Ina-Fridogitha's

liberality-Her piety and pilgrimage - Her death and

canonization-St. Frideswide

Page

19

52

-

64

QUENDRIDA-PETRONILLA,

Queen of Offa " the Proud."

Melo-dramatic legend of Quendrida-King Offa screened by

monkish writers-Unknown crime of Petronilla-Exposure

in an open boat-Stranding of the beautiful stranger on

the Welsh coast-Meeting of Offa and Quendrida-Fasci-

nation of the young King-Opposition of his parents-The

royal marriage-Death of both Offa's parents-Offa's early

deficiencies-Sudden change-Beornred's wars-His defeat-

Offa's dyke-The Emperor Charlemagne-His letters and

presents to Offa-Demand in marriage of Prince and Princess

-Interruption of the friendship of the two Kings-Close of

the French ports-Alcuin the Learned-Harmony re-esta-

blished-The Princess Eadburga's marriage-Young Ethel-

bert, King of East Anglia-His proposal for the hand of the

beautiful Etheldritha, youngest daughter of Offa-Excellent

character of Ethelbert His arrival in Mercia-Omens-

Rich gifts and grand retinue of the bridegroom-Etheldritha,

at her window, admires the beauty and grandeur of her

lover-Quendrida's envy and hatred-Offa's welcome-The

Queen's treacherous proposal-The chair of state-The

canopy and the well-The murder accomplished-Despair

of the bride-Her anathema-She leaves her father's court

-Offa's remorse-Banishment of the guilty Queen-The

spoils she took-Robbers-Her deserved fate-Offa builds

cathedrals-The shrine of St. Ethelbert-Divine judgment

on Offa's race

EADBURGA.-ELFLEDA,

Queens of Bertric and Wimond.

Pride of Eadburga-Prince Egbert's banishment-He seeks

shelter with Offa; is refused hospitality-Flies to the court of

Charlemagne-The Queen's influence; her jealousy, and vin-

dictive character-Infatuation of her husband-Her hatred of

Worr-Her attempts to ruin him-Resistance of Bertric-

The banquet-The poisoned cup-Death of the King and his

friend-Flight of the Queen-She seeks the court of Charle-

magne, is well received there at first-Her beauty and her

gifts-Change of public estimation-Charlemagne's sarcastic

offer-The incautious reply of the widow-The Emperor's

contempt-His bestowal of a convent on her-Her conduct

as Abbess-Her expulsion and degraded position-Her arrival

at Pavia and destitution-Her death in misery-Her quaint

epitaph-Detestation of her memory-Title of Queen not

allowed by Anglo-Saxons-Egbert's succession-The contrast

of the sisters-The Abbess of Croyland-Witlaf's sojourn

and gifts; his attachment to Etheldritha - The Danes -

Elfleda, daughter of Kenulf-Her son Wistan-Rejected

offer of Berferth-Murder of Wistan

Page

77

97

QUENDRIDA II.

Page

The granddaughter of Offa's Queen-Her great abilities and

the high position she holds in the state-She is left guardian

to her young brother Kenelm-Her sister Burganilda attached

to the young King-His tutor Ascobert-The traitorous

designs of Quendrida on the life of Kenelm - Ascobert

agrees to aid her plans-Kenelm's dream-His uneasiness

-He informs his nurse, who interprets it-Aware of his

danger, he removes to a secure place-The Castle of Kenil-

worth chosen as his abode-The family of the Kenelms-

The hunting-excursion to Clint Wood-The murder of the

young Prince and concealment of his body in a pit-Quen-

drida mounts the throne-Is suspected by the people-

Driven from the government, which is given to her uncle

Kenulf-She assumes a religious habit, but retains her patri-

mony, the Abbey of Winchcomb-Touching legend of the

revelation at Rome of the death of Kenelm-Discovery of

the body-Canonization of the murdered Prince-Chapel

built-Quendrida's scorn-The judgment of Heaven on her

-Her death
- 107

OSBURGA AND ETHELSWYTHA.

Queens of Ethelwulf and Burhred.

The mother of Alfred the Great-Earl Oslac, her father, cup-

bearer to King Ethelwulf - Wars with the Danes-The

King first intended for the Church-His choice of the cup-

bearer's daughter-Her virtues and industry-Needlework

of the Anglo-Saxon ladies-The five sons of Osburga-

Her daughter Ethelswytha married to the King of Mercia-

The title of Queen revived-The Danes overrun Mercia—

Subdue Burhred, and force him to abandon his country

-He dies at Rome-His Queen follows him, and dies on

the road-Alfred's infancy-Prayer of Osburga-The story

of the illuminated book of Saxon verse-The children's

anxiety-Alfred's resolution and success-The pilgrimage

to Rome of Ethelwulf, accompanied by his young son-

Uncertainty respecting Osburga-Ethelwulf's return with

Judith, the French princess-Death of Osburga

JUDITH OF FRANCE,

Second Queen of Ethelwulf.

Motives of Ethelwulf for his visits to the Court of Charles the

Bald-Beauty of the Princess Judith-Attachment of Count

Baldwin of Flanders-Ethelwulf's offer accepted-Splendid

marriage of Judith to Ethelwulf-Royal presents-Ethelwulf

-

118

takes his bride to England-They are ill received-Ealstan,

Bishop of Sherburne, excites Ethelbald to rebellion-Offence

given to the Church-Ethelwulf proclaims Judith Queen,

in despite of opposition-Ethelwulf yields to his son to avoid

bloodshed-Judith crowned - Prayers on the occasion-

Alfred and his young mother-in-law study together in

retirement-Ethelwulf's death-Ethelbald forcibly marries

his widow--Displeasure of the people and the clergy-He

becomes penitent — Separates from Judith - - She sells her

dower, and travels, on her return to her father's court,

through Flanders-Meeting of Judith and Baldwin-Con

sequences of her stay-Anger of Charles the Bald-She

is placed in a convent-Rescued by her brothers-Elopes

with Baldwin-Enmity and final forgiveness of the French

King-The children of Judith-Matilda, wife of William of

Normandy-Ballad of the imaginary adventures of the

"King's Daughter"

ELSWITHA, Queen of Alfred the Great, and

Page

- 127

ETHELFLEDA, 66 Lady of Mercia."

Romantic legend of the meeting of Alfred the Great and Els-

witha-Albanac's family-The nocturnal visit-The daugh-

ters-The father's resolve-The choice offered-Marriage

of Alfred and Elswitha-Sudden illness of the bridegroom

-Connubial affection - Passage in Boethius-Famine in Eng-

land-St. Swithun-Children of Elswitha-Her happiness,

and fondness for her husband-Athelney-The Danes-

Dangers Generosity of Alfred-Monastery founded-

Alfred's Will-Eadburga and Elswitha-St. Mary's, New-

minster-Learning of Ethelfleda-Lady of Mercia-Her

numerous fortresses-The captive Welsh Queen-Fleance,

son of Banquo-Ancient Welsh customs-Candle-bearer's

perquisites-Death of Ethelfleda-Mourned by King Edward

-Elfwina dispossessed by her uncle-Ethelfleda buried in

St. Peter's, Gloucester

-

- 153

EGWINA, ELFLEDA, EDGIFA, AND ELFGIFA,

Queens of Edward "the Elder" and Edmond "the Pious."

Romantic tale of Athelstan's mother-The loves of Egwina

and Edward-Dream of the Shepherd's daughter-The nurse

of the King's children-Adoption of Egwina-The bright light

-Edward's second wife Elfleda; her seven children-His

third wife Edgifa-Edgifa's lawsuit and will-Athelstan and

Beatrice-Goda's dishonesty-Education of the family of

Edward the Elder-Eadburga the nun; her choice-Ed-