This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 Excerpt: ...not to carry arms under any pretence). The sun was shining brightly, and all nature wore a serene aspect, as Coiffi rode boldly into the temple and hurled his spear at the idol, where it remained quivering in his side, whilst the awe-stricken crowd momentarily expected some terrific vengeance from the insulted god; but ...
Read More
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 Excerpt: ...not to carry arms under any pretence). The sun was shining brightly, and all nature wore a serene aspect, as Coiffi rode boldly into the temple and hurled his spear at the idol, where it remained quivering in his side, whilst the awe-stricken crowd momentarily expected some terrific vengeance from the insulted god; but the skies did not blacken with thunder-clouds, nor did the earth open to swallow up the perpetrators of the impious deed. The sun shone on as usual, the wooden god made no sign, and the people dispersed, saying amongst themselves, "surely Odin cannot be a god if he is unable to defend himself;" and shortly after thousands of their class submitted to the rite of baptism. This occurred in the year 627, and soon afterwards the king and court, including a little princess named Hilda, whom we shall meet with again, were baptized. Paulinus was constituted Archbishop of York, and a wooden church was extemporised, followed by one of stone, to serve as the cathedral, which was commenced by Eadwin and completed by Oswald. At this time there reigned in the neighbouring kingdom of Mercia, Penda, a bigoted and ferocious pagan, who was exasperated to fury by the desecration of the temple of his god at Goodmandingham, and, jealous perhaps of Eadwin's supremacy as Bretwalda, made a vow to slay the Northumbrian king, and extirpate the new and false religion. He allied himself with Cadwallon, a Welsh prince, who wished for vengeance against Eadwin for invading his territories and subduing them to his supremacy, and against the Northumbrians generally for their slaughter of the Bangor monks under Ethelfrid; and together they invaded Northumbria, met Eadwin at Heathfield (Hatfield), near Doncaster, and in the battle which ensued the latter was defeated...
Read Less