A.D. 802. WICKEDNESS OF EADBUBGA. 19 stroyed by a sudden conflagration. In this year Charles, the most mighty king of the Franks, was declared supreme emperor at Rome, by all the senate, the imperial crown being placed upon his head by our lord the pope. In the year from the incarnation of our Lord 802, Brithric, the king of the West-Saxons, who had most gloriously reigned over that nation for seventeen years, departed this life, and was succeeded by Egbert. The said king Brithric had taken in marriage Eadburga, daughter of Offa, king of the Mercians, who ordered the great dyke to be made between Britain64 and Mercia, that is to say, from sea to sea. Now this Eadburga, being the daughter of a king and surrounded with much pomp, was inspired with wonderful ambition, and, after the manner of her father, began to live in a tyrannical manner and to despise all men, insomuch that she was hated not only by nobles and magistrates, but even by all the people. She did not cease uttering accusations continually against all the religious before the king, and by her evil speaking so wrought upon her husband by means of her blandishments, that those whom she accused, she caused to be put to death or banished the realm ; and if she was unable to effect this, she did not hesitate secretly to take them off by poison. There was at that time a certain illustrious youth, very dear to the above-named king, and greatly beloved by him, whom, when she wished to accuse him to the king, and could not accomplish it, with wicked intent she cut off by poison, the king in ignorance having tasted which, he expired. But she had not purposed to give the poison to the king, but to the youth, whereas the head of all the nobles partaking of it first, they both drank of the deadly draught, and both perished through the extremely bitter taste thereof. He being slain by reason of this wicked deed, this most wicked poisoner was smitten with fear, and crossing the seas in her flight with innumerable treasures, repaired to Charles, the most famous king of the Franks. As she stood before him in his chamber, and offered the king precious gifts, he thus addressed her ; " Choose, Eadburga, which of the two you would prefer, myself or my son, who is standing with me in the room on which she, without any deliberation, foolishly made answer and said ; " If the option were *· Meaning Wales. C2