THE MYSTERY OF CORFE. 61 



in any way conflict with the statement that it was buried at 

 Wareham without any kind of kingly ceremony, and if we can 

 accept the testimony of William of Malmesbury, there are 

 ample grounds for assuming that the king was not buried 

 in hallowed ground. 



The story related by William of Malmesbury compares 

 very unfavourably with that told by Geffrei Gaimar, for there 

 are several assertions made by him which are self contra- 

 dictory. The story set forth in the Gesta Regum is to the 

 effect that Edward practically resigned the Royal power into 

 the hands of Elfrida, but that she, desiring the crown for her 

 son, began to meditate a subtle stratagem and to lay a treacher- 

 ous snare for her stepson, and, according to William of 

 Malmesbury, she accomplished her design in the following 

 manner. One day Edward was returning from the chase 

 gasping with thirst from the exercise, while his companions 

 were following the dogs in various directions. Upon hearing 

 that Elfrida dwelt in a neighbouring mansion, the king pro- 

 ceeded thither at full speed unattended. On his arrival, 

 the chronicler proceeds, Elfrida, alluring him to her with 

 female blandishments, made him lean forward, and after she 

 had saluted him, while he was eagerly drinking from the cup 

 which had been presented, the dagger of an attendant pierced 

 him. Dreadfully wounded, he clapped spurs to his horse 

 and sought to join his companions, when, his foot slipping 

 from the stirrup, he fell, and was dragged through the paths 

 of the wood, while the streaming blood gave evidence of his 

 death to his followers. Moreover, they then commanded him 

 to be ingloriously interred at Wareham, envying him even 

 the holy ground when dead, as they had envied him his 

 royal dignity while living. 



Now the first point to be noticed in criticising this account 

 of the murder is the statement that Elfrida began to meditate 

 a subtle stratagem and to lay a treacherous snare in order to 

 encompass the king's death. It is, of course, quite conceivable 

 that this may have actually been the case, but it must be 

 borne in mind that Malmesbury himself says that it was only 



