[Sidenote: _Henr. Hunt._ _Iohn Capgraue_. _Matth. West._ and others.
Ethelbert king of Eastangles.]
After that Ethelbert king of Eastangles was dead, his sonne
Ethelbert succéeded him, a prince of great towardnesse, and so
vertuouslie brought vp by his fathers circumspect care and diligence,
that he vtterlie abhorred vice, and delighted onelie in vertue and
commendable exercises, for the better atteining to knowledge and
vnderstanding of good sciences. There remaine manie sundrie saiengs &
dooings of him, manifestlie bearing witnesse that there could not
[Sidenote: The saieng of king Ethelbert.]
be a man more honorable, thankefull, courteous or gentle. Amongest
other he had this saieng oftentimes in his mouth, that the greater
that men were, the more humble they ought to beare themselues: for the
Lord putteth proud and mightie men from their seates, and exalteth the
humble and méeke.

Moreouer he did not onelie shew himselfe wise in words, but desired
also to excell in staiednesse of maners, and continencie of life.
Whereby he wan to him the hearts of his people, who perceiuing that he
was nothing delighted in the companie of women, and therefore minded
not mariage, they of a singular loue and fauour towards him, required
that he should in anie wise yet take a wife, that he might haue issue
to succéed him. At length the matter being referred to his councell,
he was persuaded to follow their aduises. And so Alfreda the daughter
of Offa king of Mercia was affianced to him: so that he himselfe
appointed (as meanes to procure more fauour at his father in lawes
hands) to go fetch the bride from hir fathers house.

Manie strange things that happened to him in taking vpon him this