A.D. 802. BATTLE AT KINEITEUESFOIIDE. 31 speak, and once more became pope. Three years after this, king Charles was made emperor, and having been consecrated by the same pope Leo, condemned those to death who had ill-treated the pope, but afterwards, by reason of the pope's entreaties, he saved their lives, and sent them into exile. Three years after this, Brithric, king of Wessex, also departed this life, after he had most gloriously reigned over that nation seventeen years, having in ignorance takensome poison, which his wifeEadburga, the daughter of king Offa, had prepared for a certain young man; in consequence of which, they both died, as I have mentioned more at large above. At this time a great battle was fought in Northumbria, at Wellehare,25 in which perished Alric, the son of Herbert, and many others with him. The extreme perplexity that would result, necessarily prevents me from entering into a full description of the circumstances, fluctuations, and results of the wars ; for the nation of the English was naturally hardy and proud, and in consequence incessantly engaged in intestine warfare. Egbert25* therefore, in the year of grace 800, or, according to some, 802, being the eighth in order of ten most valiant kings, whom I have elsewhere remarked, as pre-eminently distinguished for their singular merits, on the death of Brithric succeeded to the throne, and reigned thirty-seven years and seven months over the kingdom of Wessex. At a youthful age, his predecessor Brithric, and Offa, king of Mercia, had banished him from this country. He was in exile three years at the court of the king of France, but behaved himself nobly and discreetly. On the death of the above-named king, he returned and gained the kingdom. On the same day, earl Ethelmund returned from Wicum,28 and, coming to Kinemeres-forde,27 met earl Wistan with the men of Wiltshire, and thej'e they fought, and both earls being slain, the Wiltshire men gained the victory. • 25 This is probably an error for Wellham, or Wylara, in Northumberland. Lambarde says, " In the beginning of the reign of King Egbert, one of the great monarchs of this realm, there was a great battle fought at a place in the north country, called then Welham, which I take to be now called Wyllom in Coupland." He now resumes the narrative where broken off in p. 20. 26 The country of the Wiccii, who inhabited Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. 27 Kempsford. Lambarde suggests that this may be Comberford, near Calne.