CHAPTER XXIX

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EDWARD THE MARTYR.

Dunstan still triumphant--Is opposed by the dowager-queen Elfrida --Her attempts to place her son, Ethelred, upon the throne, frustrated by Dunstan--Contest between the monks and the secular clergy--The Benedictine monks driven out of Mercia-- The Synod of Winchester--Dunstan's pretended miracle doubted-- The council of Calne--William of Malmesbury's description of the assembly--Dunstan's threat--Falling in of that portion of the floor on which Dunstan's opponents stood--Reasons for supposing that the floor was undermined by the command of Dunstan--Death of his enemies, and triumph of the archbishop --Edward's visit to Corfe Castle--He is stabbed in the back while pledging his stepmother, Elfrida, at the gate--His dreadful death--Character of Elfrida p. 238

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