Page "Cynewulf of Wessex" Paragraph 6

A. D. 755.

This year Cynewulf, with the consent of the West-Saxon council, deprived Sebright, his relative, for unrighteous deeds, of his kingdom, except Hampshire ; which he retained, until he slew the alderman who remained the longest with him.

Then Cynewulf drove him to the forest of Andred, where he remained, until a swain stabbed him at Privett river, and revenged the alderman, Cumbra.

The same Cynewulf fought many hard battles with the Britons ; and, about one and thirty winters after he had the kingdom, he was desirous of expelling a prince called Cyneard, he who was the brother of Sebright.

But he having understood that the king was gone, thinly attended, on a visit to a lady at Merton, rode after him, and beset him therein ; surrounding the stronghold without, ere the attendants of the king were aware of him.

When the king found this, he went out of doors, and defended himself with courage ; till, having looked on the etheling ( prince ), he rushed out upon him, and wounded him severely.

Then were they all fighting against the king, until they had slain him.

The king's warriors were alerted by the woman's cries to the tumult and, whosoever became ready fastest, ran to where the king lay slain.

The etheling ( prince ) immediately offered them life and riches ; which none of them would accept, but continued fighting together against him, till they all lay dead, except one British hostage, and he was severely wounded.

When the king's thanes that were behind heard in the morning that the king was slain, they rode to the spot, Osric his alderman, and Wiverth his thane, and the men that he had left behind previously ; and they met the etheling at the town, where the king lay slain.

The gates, however, were locked against them, which they attempted to force ; but he promised them their own choice of money and land, if they would grant him the kingdom ; reminding them, that their relatives were already with him, who would never desert him.

To which they answered, that no relative could be dearer to them than their lord, and that they would never follow his murderer.

Then they offered that their relatives may have safe passage.

They replied, that the same request was made to their comrades that were formerly with the king ; " And we are as regardless of the result ," they rejoined, " as our comrades who with the king were slain.

" Then they continued fighting at the gates, till they penetrated it, and slew the etheling and all the men that were with him ; except one, who was the godson of the alderman, and whose life was spared, though he was often wounded.

This same Cynewulf reigned one and thirty winters.

His body lies at Winchester, and that of the etheling at Axminster.

Their proper paternal ancestry goes in a direct line to Cerdic.