58 THE MYSTERY OF CORFE. 



There is much that is apparently contradictory in this 

 account of the murder, and much that does not tally with 

 the other stories, for in the first place it is clearly stated that 

 it was the partisans of Ethelred who rose against EdAvard, 

 and that they did so while he was on his way to hold an 

 interview with his brother ; other discrepancies will be readily 

 noted. The chief point, however, which stands out in this 

 account is the fact that Elfrida is not accused of active par- 

 ticipation in the event, the butler obviously presenting the 

 horn of wine. Again, in this story the king was evidently 

 accompanied by some members of his suite, and nothing is said 

 of the hunting episode, which must have been introduced later. 



The kiss is a common factor, but it will be observed that 

 it is here stated to have been proffered by one of the soldiers, 

 and the wild ride through the forest dragged by one stirrup 

 has no place. 



The humble burial, and the subsequent discovery of the 

 body in an uncorrupt state by Elfhere are duly set forth, 

 together with the subsequent reburial in a more honourable 

 fashion. Without entering into any discussion as to the 

 possibility of the body being in a perfect state of preserva- 

 tion after so lengthy a period, it seems necessary to care- 

 fully consider the last paragraph in the story. It is an 

 obscure passage, and except upon one supposition has no 

 meaning. The only interpretation which will meet the case 

 is simply that Elfhere did not find the body which he asserted 

 to be that of Edward anywhere near the spot where those 

 who had been responsible for the murder had concealed it. 

 If this meaning of the paragraph in question be the correct 

 one, it would seem that the true body of Edward the Martyr 

 still lies buried in a lowly grave somewhere on a wild heath 

 in Dorset. 



There is yet another possible site that requires very serious 

 consideration, and the story contained in Geoffrei Gaimar's 

 History of the English is so circumstantial that, although it 

 stands absolutely alone, it is worthy of careful analysis. Inas- 

 much as there is external evidence which tends to corroborate 



