A Metrical History of England Or, Recollections, in Rhyme, Of some of the most prominent Features in our National Chronology, from the Landing of Julius Caesar to the Commencement of the Regency, in 1812. In Two Volumes ... By Thomas Dibdin |
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 | A Metrical History of England |  |
45
THE KINGDOM OF ESSEX,
OR, EAST SAXONS.
Began 527.—Ended 746.—Contained Essex, Middlesex, Part of Herts.—Capital, London.
THE KINGDOM OF ESSEX,
OR, EAST SAXONS.
Of Essex monarchs, little more is saidThan, that two kings among them lov'd white bread:
That Offa took great Penda's child to wife,
And vow'd, when married, to be chaste for life:
That Westminster, if records are believ'd,
From Sebert's gift her Abbey Church receiv'd;
By Sleda govern'd first, by Sigered last,
This state, with other states, to Egbert pass'd.
Sexted and Seward, sons and conjunct successors to Sebert, grandson of Erkinwin, who founded the kingdom of Essex. To shew the rude manner of living in that age, Bede tells us, that these two kings expressed great desire to eat the white bread distributed by Mellitus, the bishop, at the communion. But on his refusing them, unless they would submit to be baptised, they expelled him their dominions. Hume.
| A Metrical History of England | |