CHAPTER XVI

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OFFA, SURNAMED THE TERRIBLE.

Offa ascends the throne of Mercia--Drida's introduction and marriage with the Mercian king--Character of queen Drida and her daughter Edburga--Offa's invasion of Northumbria--He marches into Kent--Is victorious--Defeats the king of Wessex --His victory over the Welsh--Description of Offa's dyke-- Offa's friendly correspondence with Charlemagne--Adventures of Egbert--Murder of Cynewulf, at Merton, in Surrey--Brihtric obtains the crown of Wessex, and marries the daughter of Offa-- Ethelbert, king of East Anglia, visits the Mercian court--Queen Drida plots his destruction--Description of a Saxon feast-- Dreadful death of Ethelbert--Offa's daughter, Alfleda, seeks shelter in the monastery of Croyland--Murder of Queen Drida --Edburga poisons her husband, Brihtric, king of Wessex--She flies to France--Her reception at the court of Charlemagne-- She dies a beggar in the streets of Pavia p. 139

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