The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

—and of Clave Kyrre, King of Norway. Vid. "Antiq. Celto-Scand".

141

Because there was a mutiny in the Danish fleet; which was carried to such a height, that the king, after his return to Denmark, was slain by his own subjects. Vid. "Antiq. Celto-Scand", also our "Chronicle" A.D. 1087.

142

i.e. a fourth part of an acre.

143

At Winchester; where the king held his court at Easter in the following year; and the survey was accordingly deposited there; whence it was called "Rotulus Wintoniae", and "Liber Wintoniae".

144

An evident allusion to the compilation of Doomsday book, already described in A.D. 1085.

145

Uppe-land, Sax.—i.e. village-church.

146

i.e. jurisdiction. We have adopted the modern title of the district; but the Saxon term occurs in many of the ancient evidences of Berkeley Castle.

147

i.e. of the conspirators.

148

Literally "became his man"—"Ic becom eowr man" was the formula of doing homage.

149

Literally a "gossip"; but such are the changes which words undergo in their meaning as well as in their form, that a title of honour formerly implying a spiritual relationship in God, is now applied only to those whose conversation resembles the contemptible tittle-tattle of a Christening.

150

From this expression it is evident, that though preference was naturally and properly given to hereditary claims, the monarchy of Scotland, as well as of England, was in principle "elective". The doctrine of hereditary, of divine, of indefeasible "right", is of modern growth.

151

See the following year towards the end, where Duncan is said to be slain.

152

Peitevin, which is the connecting link between "Pictaviensem" and "Poitou".

153

Now called Southampton, to distinguish it from Northampton, but the common people in both neighbourhoods generally say "Hamton" to this day (1823).

154

The title is now Earl of Shrewsbury.

155

The fourth of April. Vid. "Ord. Vit."

156

Commonly called "Peter-pence".

157

Literally "head-men, or chiefs". The term is still retained with a slight variation in the north of Europe, as the "hetman" Platoff of celebrated memory.

158

This name is now written, improperly, Cadogan; though the ancient pronunciation continues. "Cadung", "Ann. Wav." erroneously, perhaps, for "Cadugn".

159

It was evidently, therefore, not on Michaelmas day, but during the continuance of the mass or festival which was celebrated till the octave following.

160

In the original "he"; so that the Saxons agreed with the Greeks and Romans with respect to the gender of a comet.

161

Literally "took leave": hence the modern phrase to signify the departure of one person from another, which in feudal times could not be done without leave or permission formally obtained.

162

That is, within the twelve days after Christmas, or the interval between Christmas day, properly called the Nativity, and the Epiphany, the whole of which was called Christmas-tide or Yule-tide, and was dedicated to feasting and mirth.

163

The King of Norway and his men. "Vid. Flor."

164

His monument is still to be seen there, a plain gravestone of black marble, of the common shape called "dos d'ane"; such as are now frequently seen, though of inferior materials, in the churchyards of villages; and are only one remove from the grassy sod.

165