CHAPTER XXXI

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EDMUND, SURNAMED IRONSIDE.

Courageous character of Edmund Ironside--His gallant defence of London--His prowess at the battle of Scearston--Obstinacy of the combat which is only terminated by the approach of night-- Renewal of the battle in the morning--Narrow escape of Canute, the Dane, from the two-handed sword of Edmund Ironside-- Conduct of the traitor Edric--Retreat of the Danes--Battles fought by Edmund the Saxon--Ulfr, a Danish chief, lost in a wood--Meets with Godwin the cowherd, and is conducted to the Danish camp--Treaty between Canute the Dane and Edmund Ironside --The kingdom divided between the Danes and Saxons--Suspicious circumstances attending the death of Edmund--Despondency of the Saxons p. 254

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