to r ATHELSTA N. 137

is related by historians with circumstances, which cthe reader, according to the degree of credit heis disposed to give them, may impute either tothe invention os monks , who forged them , or totheir artifice, who found means of making themreal. Alfred, it is said, being seized upon strongsuspicions, but without any certain proof, firmlydenied the conspiracy imputed to him; and inorder to justify himself, he offered to swear tohis innocence before the pope, whose person, itwas supposed , contained such superior sanctity ,that no one could presume to give a false oathinhispresence, and yet hope to escape the immediate ven-geance of heaven. The king accepted of the condi-tion, and Alfred was conducted to Rome; where,cither conscious of his innocence, or neglectingthe superstition, to which he appealed, he venturedto make the oath required of him, before John,who then filled the papal chair. But no soonerhad he pronounced the fatal words, than he fellinto convulsions, of which, three days after, heexpired. The king, as if the guilt of the con-spirator was now fully ascertained , confiscatedhis estate , and made a present of it to the mo-nastery ofMalmesbury '° 7 ; secure that no doubtswould ever thenceforth be entertained concerningthe justice of his proceedings.

The dominion of Athelstan was no soonerestablished over his English subjects , than he

hap.

II.

W. Malmes. lib. 2. cap. 6 . Spell. Cone. p. 407*