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— 
TURNER’S HISTORY OF THE ANGLO-SAXONS, 
eur antiquities, and the requisite ex- 
ence defrayed by subscription? Mr. 
urner could give to it, and derive from 
it, valuable assistance. 
On no period of the Anglo-Saxon his- 
tory has Mr. Turner thrown so much 
new light as on the reigns of Ethelred, 
of Edmund Ironside, and of Canute. 
We shall extract a part of the narration 
of this period. 
«« An important struggle ensued between 
Edmund and Canute for the possession of 
London. It was long besieged in vain, some- 
times by a part of Canute’s forces, sometimes 
by all. “London was at this time defended 
on the south, by a wall which extended 
along the river. ‘The ships of Canute, from 
Greenwich, proceeded to London. ‘The 
Danes built a strong military work on the 
south bank of the river, and drew up their 
ships on the west of the bridge, so as to cut 
off all access to the city. Edmund vigo- 
rously defended it etale in person, and 
when his presence was required elsewhere, 
the brave citizens made it impregnable, 
<¢ During the siege, Edmun feught two 
battles in the country: one at Pen in Dorset- 
shire; the other, the most celebrated, at 
Scearstan, about Midsummer. 
«© Edmund selected the bravest soldiers 
for his first line of attack, and placed the rest 
as auxiliary bodies; then noticing many of 
them individually, he appealed to their pa- 
triotism and their courage, with that fire of 
eloquence which rouzes man to mighty 
deeds. He conjured them to remember their 
country, their beloved families, and paternal 
habitations: for all these they were to fight ; 
for all these they would conquer. ‘To re- 
scue or to surrender these dear objects of 
their attachments would be the alternative 
of that day’s struggle. His representations 
warmed. A country overrun, the massacres 
of ferocious victory, and plunder every where 
triumphant, were anticipations which ex- 
cited the Anglo-Saxons to every martial da- 
ring. In the height of their enthusiasm he 
bade the trumpets to sound, and the charge 
of battle to begin. Eagerly his brave coun- 
trymen rushed against their invaders, and 
were nobly led by their heroic king. He 
uitted his royal station to mingle in the 
frst ranks ef the fight; and yet while his 
‘sword strewed the plain with slaughter, his 
vigorous mind watched eagerly every move- 
ment of the field. He struggled to blend the 
duty of commander and the gallant bearing 
of asoldier. Edric the Infamous, and two 
other generals, with the men of Wilts and 
Somerset, aided Canute. On Monday, the 
first day of the conflict, both armies fought 
with unprevailing courage, and mutual fa- 
tigue compelled them to separate. 
« In the morning the awful struggle was 
renewed. Inthe midst of the conflict Ed- 
mund forced his way to Canute, and struck 
221 
at him vehemently with his sword. The 
shield of the Dane saved him from the blow, 
but it was given with such strength ‘that it 
divided the shield, and cut the neck of the 
horse below it. A crowd of Danes then 
rushed upon Edmund, and after he had 
slain many he was obliged to retire, Canute 
was but slightly wounded. 
«© While the king was thus engaged, 
Edric the Infamous struck off the head of 
one Osmear, whose countenance resembled 
the king’s, and raising it on high, exclaimed 
to the Anglo-Saxons that they fought to no 
purpose. * Fly, ye men of Torker and De- 
von! Fly, and save yourselves. Here is 
your Edmund’s head.’ 
«« The astonished English gazed in terror. 
The’king was not then visible, for he was 
piercing the Danish centre. Edric was be- 
lieved, and panic began to spread its wither- 
ing poison through every rank. At this 
juncture Edmund appeared receding before 
the pressure of the Dares, who had rescued 
Canute. He saw the malice, and sent his 
spear as his ayenger. Edric shunned the 
point, and it pierced two men near him. 
«© But his presence was now unavailing. 
In vain he threw off his helmet, and gain- 
ing an eminence exposed his disarmed ‘head 
to undeceive his warriors. The fatal spirit 
had gone forth, and before its alarms could 
be counteracted, the army was in flight. 
All the bravery and skill of Edmund could 
only sustain the combat till night interposed. 
“« The difficulty of the battle disinclined 
Canute from renewing it. He left the con- 
tested field at midnight, and marched after- 
wards to London to his shipping. The 
morn revealed his retreat te Edmund. The 
perfidious Edric, discerning the abilities of 
the king, made use of his relationship and 
early connection (he had married Edmund’s 
sister, and had been his foster father) to ob- 
tain a reconciliation. In an ill-omened hour 
Edmund consented to receive him on his 
oath of fidelity. 
«« Edmund followed Canute to London, 
and raised the siege of the city. A conflict 
soon followed between the rivals at Brent- 
ford. Both parties claim the victory. As 
Canute immediately afterwards beleaguered 
London again, the tans seems to have been 
obtained by him. Baffled by the defence, 
he avenged himself on Mercia, whose towns, 
as usual, were committed to the flames, and 
he withdrew up the Medway. Edmund 
again urged the patriotic battle at Otford in 
Kent, and drove him to Shepey. A vigo- 
rous pursuit might have destroyed all Ca- 
nute’s hopes; but the perfidious counsels of 
Edriec preserved the defeated invader. 
«© When Edmund withdrew to Wessex, 
Canute passed into Essex, and thence ad- 
vancing, plundered Mercia without mercy. 
Edmund, earnest for a decisive effort, again 
assembled all the strength of England, and 
pursued the Dane, who was retiring to his” 
ships with his plunder, At Assandun, in 
