taken prisoner, as before is said: so that for a time he liued in
captiuitie; and although afterwards he was set at libertie, yet was he
not receiued againe to the kingdome, so that it is vncerteine what end
he made. Cuthred that was appointed by Kinevulfe the king of Mercia,
to reigne in place of the same Edbert or Edelbert, continued in
the gouernement eight yéeres as king, rather by name than by act,
inheriting his predecessors euill hap and calamitie, through factions
and ciuill discord.

[Sidenote: Lambert.]
After that Iambrith or Lambert the archbishop of Canturburie was
departed this life, one Edelred was ordeined in his place, vnto whome
the primasie was restored, which in his predecessors time was taken
awaie by Offa king of Mercia, as before is recited. Also after the
death of Eubald archbishop of Yorke, another of the same name called
Eubald the second was admitted to succeed in that sée. After that
Brightrike the king of Westsaxons was departed this life, messengers
were sent with all spéed into France, to giue knowledge thereof
vnto Egbert, which as before is shewed, was constreined by the said
Brightrike to depart the countrie. At the first, he withdrew vnto Offa
king of Mercia, with whome he remained for a time, till at length
(through suit made by Brightrike) he perceiued he might not longer
continue there without danger to be deliuered into his enimies hands;
and so, Offa winking at the matter, he departed out of his countrie,
and got him ouer into France. But being now aduertised of Brightriks
death, and required by earnest letters sent from his friends to come
and receiue the gouernement of the kingdome, he returned with all
[Sidenote: Egbert receiued a king of Westsaxons His linage.]
conuenient spéed into his countrie, and was receiued immediatlie
for king, by the generall consent of the Westsaxons, as well in