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From the [[1823]] Translation by [[James Henry Ingram]]<p>

A.D. [[755]].  This year [[Cynewulf]], with the consent of the [[West-Saxon]]
council, deprived [[Sebright]], his relative, for unrighteous deeds,
of his kingdom, except [[Hampshire]]; which he retained, until he
slew the [[alderman]] who remained the longest with him.  Then
[[Cynewulf]] drove him to the forest of [[Andred]], where he remained,
until a [[swain]] stabbed him at [[Privett]], and revenged the alderman,
[[Cumbra]].  The same [[Cynewulf]] fought many hard battles with the
[[Welsh]]; and, about one and thirty winters after he had the
kingdom, he was desirous of expelling a prince called [[Cyneard]],
who was the brother of [[Sebright]].  But he having understood that
the king was gone, thinly attended, on a visit to a lady at
[[Merton]],  rode after him, and beset him therein; surrounding
the town without, ere the attendants of the king were aware of
him.  When the king found this, he went out of doors, and
defended himself with courage; till, having looked on the
etheling, he rushed out upon him, and wounded him severely.  Then
were they all fighting against the king, until they had slain
him.  As soon as the king's [[thane]]s in the lady's bower heard the
tumult, they ran to the spot, whoever was then ready.  The
etheling immediately offered them life and rewards; which none of
them would accept, but continued fighting together against him,
till they all lay dead, except one [[British]] hostage, and he was
severely wounded.  When the king's thanes that were behind heard
in the morning that the king was slain, they rode to the spot,
[[Osric]] his alderman, and [[Wiverth]] his thane, and the men that he
had left behind; and they met the etheling at the town, where the
king lay slain.  The gates, however, were locked against them,
which they attempted to force; but he promised them their own
choice of money and land, if they would grant him the kingdom;
reminding them, that their relatives were already with him, who
would never desert him.  To which they answered, that no relative
could be dearer to them than their lord, and that they would
never follow his murderer.  Then they besought their relatives to
depart from him, safe and sound.  They replied, that the same
request was made to their comrades that were formerly with the
king; "And we are as regardless of the result," they rejoined,
"as our comrades who with the king were slain."  Then they
continued fighting at the gates, till they rushed in, and slew
the [[etheling]] and all the men that were with him; except one, who
was the godson of the alderman, and whose life he spared, though
he was often wounded.  This same [[Cynewulf]] reigned one and thirty
winters.  His body lies at [[Winchester, England|Winchester]], and that of the etheling
at [[Axminster]].  Their paternal pedigree goeth in a direct line to
[[Cerdic]].  The same year [[Ethelbald]], king of the [[Mercia|Mercians]], was slain
at [[Seckington]]; and his body lies at [[Repton]].  He reigned one and
forty years; and [[Bernred]] then succeeded to the kingdom, which he
held but a little while, and unprosperously; for King [[Offa]] the
same year put him to flight, and assumed the government; which he
held nine and thirty winters.  His son [[Everth]] held it a hundred
and forty days.  [[Offa]] was the son of [[Thingferth]], [[Thingferth]] of
[[Enwulf]], [[Enwulf]] of [[Osmod]], Osmod of Eawa, Eawa of Webba, Webba of
Creoda, Creoda of Cenwald, Cenwald of Cnebba, Cnebba of Icel,
Icel of Eomer, Eomer of Angelthew, Angelthew of Offa, Offa of
Wermund, Wermund of Witley, Witley of [[Woden]].<p>
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Return to [[short story]]<br>

See Also:
[[History of England]]<br>
[[Bede]]<br>
[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]<br>
[[Beowulf]]<br>
[[755]]