52 THE MYSTERY OF CORFE. 



direct influence at so tender an age. The two most prom 

 inent figures in the struggle are before you, Elfrida and 

 Edward, and although the former was a woman of exceptional 

 beauty, excessive ambition, and endowed with considerable 

 gifts in various directions, there were others who would seem 

 to have been in a large measure directly responsible for the 

 fatal outcome of the dispute, Elfhere, duke of Mercia, a 

 cousin, or at any rate a relative of Elfrida's, and Dunstan 

 the Archbishop. Elfhere, it may be presumed, was of Elfrida's 

 party, at any rate during the reign of Edward ; and no doubt 

 their aims were, during that period, similar in character. 

 Dunstan, on the other hand, supported Edward, and ultimately 

 crowned him King. 



The first question with which it is proposed to deal relates 

 to the date of the murder, and fortunately there is no doubt 

 on this point, for although certain copies of the Saxon 

 Chronicle place the event in the year 979, this is apparently 

 a slip of the pen, and the true date is 978. The day seems 

 to be correctly given, as the 15th of the Kalends of April and 

 this would mean March 18th of the latter year. The crime is 

 generally stated to have been committed at eventide, and the 

 hour of four is probably a close approximation to the truth. 



The exact site of the incident of the murder must next be 

 considered, and while it would be both pleasant and easy to 

 perpetuate the notoriety of Corfe Castle as the scene of the 

 episode, yet there is no shred of evidence worthy the name 

 which in any way supports the claim of that spot. That the 

 crime took place somewhere within the County of Dorset, 

 there can, I think, be no manner of doubt, but in deciding 

 upon the precise locality there are many important points 

 to be considered, sifted, and weighed. By common consent 

 the scene of the misdeed was at a house or residence which 

 either belonged to Elfrida, or at which she happened to be 

 staying at the time, together with her son Ethelred. 



The second alternative has, however, little to support it, 

 as it is only based upon the fact that in a few of the records 

 nothing is noted but that Elfrida was staj'ing at a house. 



