G6 THE MYSTERY OF COKFE. 



that one incident may have been grossly magnified in import- 

 ance. 



Bearing all the evidence in mind, there does not seem to be 

 any good and sufficient ground for asserting that she was guilty 

 of the deed laid to her charge, and the fact that it was com- 

 mitted at her house, and in her presence, and in the presence 

 of numerous witnesses, rather tends to prove her innocence 

 than confirm her guilt, for had she desired to achieve the 

 end that resulted, surely she would have employed more 

 subtle means and avoided as far as possible any direct parti- 

 cipation in the deed. That there was a conspiracy about this 

 period I will not attempt to deny, but it occurred after the 

 death of Edward and arose out of the incidents attending 

 thereon. I need scarcely remind you of the struggle that took 

 place relating to the question of the regular and secular 

 clergy, but it is desirable that a certain amount of emphasis 

 should be laid upon the fact that the contest between the 

 two orders was a very bitter one. Now as I read the 

 chronicles, Elfrida's party undoubtedly supported the Secular 

 clergy, and it is clear that Elfhere, who was one of her chief 

 adherents and a blood relation, expelled all the monks within 

 his earldom of Mercia. But apparently, after Edward's 

 death, Elfhere changed sides and in their turn the Seculars 

 were ousted. Dunstan, it is to be noted, took no very decided 

 line, though it is to be inferred that his sympathies were with 

 the Regular clergy. Now this change of policy on the part 

 of Elfhere, brought him into direct conflict w r ith Elfrida's 

 party, unless, of course, she had changed her views as well. 

 It must be remembered that she was all powerful during the 

 reign of Edward, and that this authority would continue during 

 the minority of her son Ethelred. Edward was dead, and as 

 a dead king his power for good or evil was at an end, but if 

 it be possible to accept the view that the responsibility for 

 his death could in the remotest degree be connected with 

 Elfrida's name, it follows as a reputed martyr and 

 as a reputed miracle worker, the influence of his 

 sanctity would be very considerable. Therefore, as I 



