Outlines of Enlgish history Author:Robert Ross Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: spectacle of a nobility divided by faction, treason, and murder; of a king unequal to the duties of his station; and of a people the sport of an exasperated and ... more »vindictive enemy." In 1008, the "VVitan ordered that all landowners be assessed at the rate of one ship for every 310 hydes; this imposition is the remote origin of the well-known tax of ship-money. But all availed nothing in consequence of the treachery of some of the principal nobles; and Thurkill's host ravaged the south of England for three years. In 1012, through the treachery of Edric the earl, Canterbury was sacked and 7000 of its inhabitants slain; Elphege the primate, refusing to pay a ransom of £7000, was brutally murdered. The contest came to an issue in 1013. Sweyn received at Gainsborough the submission of all the Danes north of Watling- Street. Moving his host southward, he issued orders to ravage the open country, pillage the churches, burn the towns, and put every male to the sword. An attempt on London failed, he then turned off and, having established his head-quarters at Bath, proclaimed himself king of England, and summoned all the thanes to come in and swear allegiance. Ethelred, abandoned by his people, sent off his wife and children to Normandy, and shortly after found an asylum there himself. Sweyn died within a month from Ethelred's leaving the kingdom. The Witan now consented to the king's return, if he would promise to rule better than before. Canute, who had succeeded his father, retired for a while to Denmark, but returning in 1015 found support from the perfidious Edric. Ethelred now dies. 15. Edmund Ironsides, (1016) son of Ethelred, was accepted as king by the citizens of London, but the Witan reluctantly acknowledged Canute. The Danes immediately cariied 300 ships up the Thames, Edmun...« less