fault in the king, saieng that he was a man giuen to no good exercise,
he delighted in fleshlie lustes and riotous bankettings and still
sought waies how to gather of his subiects what might be got, as well
[Sidenote: The misgouernement of the king.]
by vnlawfull meanes as otherwise. For he would for feined or for
verie small & light causes disherit his natiue subiects, and cause
[Sidenote: Sicknesse vexeth the people.]
them to redéeme their owne possessions for great summes of monie.
Besides these oppressions, diuers kinds of sicknesses vexed the people
also, as the bloodie flix, and hot burning agues which then raged
through the land, so that manie died thereof. By such manner of meanes
[Sidenote: Treason in the nobilitie.]
therefore, what through the misgouernance of the king, the treason
and disloialtie of the nobilitie, the lacke of good order and due
correction amongst the people, and by such other scourges and mishaps
as afflicted the English nation in that season, the land was brought
into great ruine, so that, where by strength the enimie could not be
kept off, there was now no hope but to appease them with monie. By
[Sidenote: The inhancing of the tribute paid to the Danes.]
reason hereof from time of the first agréement with the Danes for
10 thousand pounds tribute, it was inhanced to 16000 pounds, (as you
haue heard) & after that to 20000 pounds, then to 24000 pounds, & so
to 30000 pounds, & lastlie to 40000 pounds, till at length the relme
was emptied in maner of all that monie and coine that could be found
[Sidenote: The death of quéene Elgina.]
in it. In this meane time died Elgina or Ethelgina the quéene.
[Sidenote: Emma. _Hen. Hunt._]
Shortlie after it was deuised that the king should be a suter
vnto Richard duke of Normandie, for his sister Emma, a ladie of such
excellent beautie, that she was named the floure of Normandie. This