chapter 15

A brefe rehersall of certayne kynges / and how kyng Edgare came to Chestre. Also howe Leofric, Erle of Chestre, repared diuers churches.

stanza 164

1143Science encreased, true loue and amite,
Vertue was exalted in all this region;
Monasteries were edified of his benignite,
Endowed with riches / and riall possession:
xl. religious places by famous opinion
Were newly buylded by the sayd noble kyng,
In sondry places of this realme standyng.

stanza 165

1150 Secular prestes expulsed sothely were
From diuers monasteries with great discrecion, ¹
Religious persones, repleit with vertue clere,
Entred their places cause deuocion;
Charite was feruent and holy religion;
The lyues of saynts were soth in eche place,
And written in legendes for our comfort and grace. ²

stanza 166

1157Many shyps were made vpon the kynges cost ³
To serche by the se all his lande about,
That no alian entre in no-maner cost,
By policie and manhod to holde all his ennemies out.
Danes / norwaies / scottes durst nat ones loke out -
Such drede all nacions had ensuynge the tyme
That kyng Edgare regned by prouidence diuine.

stanza 167

1164In progresse he passed ones in the yere
Eche quarter of the realme with his company,
To se that his subiectes well ordred were
And the lawe obserued / iustice with mercy.
Than was none oppression, wronges, nor iniury,
Debate, malice, rancour myght nat be founde;
True loue and charite was in all the londe.

stanza 168

1171 Kynge Edgare approched the cite of legions,
Nowe called Chestre / specified afore; ⁴
Where .viii. kynges mette of diuers nacions,
Redy to gyue Edgare reuerence and honour,
Legiance and fidelite depely sworne full sore
At the same cite: after to be obedient,
Promyt at his callyng to come to his parliament. ⁵

stanza 169

1178From the Castell he went to the water of Dee
By a priue posturne through the walles of the towne;
The kyng toke his barge with mycle rialte,
Rowyng vpwarde to the church of saynt Iohn:
The forsayd .viii. kynges with hym went alone:
Kynge Edgare kept the storne / as most principall,
Eche prince had an ore to labour with-all.

stanza 170

1185Whan the kynge had done his pylgrimage
And to the holy roode made oblacion,
They entred agayne into the sayd barge,
Passynge to his place with great renowne.
Than Edgare spake in praysynge of the crowne:
'All my successours may glad and ioyfull be
To haue suche homage, honour and dignite.'

stanza 171

1192Also it is to be had in memory
That this sayd Edgare and his princis all
Came with great reuerence vnto the monastery,
To worshyp saynt Werburge with mynde liberall;
Where he gaue fredoms and priuileges speciall,
With singular possessions of his charite,
Confirmynge the olde grauntes by hye auctorite.