EDWARD THE MARTYR. i 7 i

Edward lived sour years after his accession, cand there passed nothing memorable during hisreign. His death alone was memorable andtragical 161 . This young prince was endowedwith the most amiable innocence of manners;and as his own intentions were always pure, hewas incapable of entertaining any suspicionagainst others. Though his stepmother had opposedhis succession, and had raised a party in favourof her own son, he always showed her marks ofregard, and even expressed, on all occasions, themost tender affection toward his brother. He washunting one day in Dorsetshire; and being ledby the chace near Corse-castle , where Elfridaresided, he took the opportunity of paying hera visit, unattended by any of his retinue, andhe thereby presented her with the opportunity,which she had long wished for. After he hadmounted his horse, he desired some liquor to bebrought him: While he was holding the cup tohis head, a servant of Elfrida approached him,and gave him a stab behind. The prince, findinghimself 1 wounded, put spurs to his horse; butbecoming faint by loss of blood , he fell fromthe saddle, his foot stuck in the stirrup, and hewas dragged along by his unruly horse, till heexpired. Being tracked by the blood, his bodywas found, and was privately interred at Ware hamby his servants.

16 ' Chrcrn. Sax. p. 124.

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