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78 SCOTTISH ANNALS
971 x 975
WILLIAM OF MALMESBTJRY, GESTA REGUM, VOL. I, PP. 177-178.
Moreover although, as is said, [Edgar] was puny of
stature and form yet the favour of Nature had planted so
great strength in his small body that he readily challenged
to combat whomsoever he knew to be presumptuous ; fear-
ing this chiefly, that he should be feared in such sport.
Indeed it is reported that once in a feast, where the sarcasm
of fools usually displays itself more openly, Kenneth,
king of Scots, said jestingly that it seemed strange that so
many provinces were subject to so insignificant
a mannikin.
And this was taken up perversely by a jester, and afterwards
cast in Edgar's face at a formal banquet.
But he, concealing the matter from his followers, summoned
Kenneth as if to consult him about a great secret ;
and taking him far aside into a wood gave him one of two
"
swords which he carried with him. And now," said he,
"
thou mayest try thy strength, since we are alone. For
now I shall have caused it to appear which should rightly
be subject to the other. Thou also, shrink not from disputing
the matter with me. For it is base that a king should be
witty at the feast and unready in conflict."
[Kenneth] was confused, and dared utter no word :
he
fell at the feet of his lord king, and besought pardon for his
and immediately obtained it.
innocent jest ;
1000
ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, MSS. C, D, E, S.A. 1000. *
In this year the king [Ethelred II] 2 went into Cumbria 3
and harried it very nearly all.
chief festivals, when the king and his successors wore the crown, they should
come to court and celebrate the feast with rejoicing along with the other
princes of the realm.
"
Moreover the king gave him very many dwelling-places on the route,
so that he and his successors, coming to the feast and again returning, might
be able to lodge there. And these [dwelling-places] continued in the possession
of the kings of Scotland until the time of king Henry II."
Still less authoritative is the account given by John of Wallingford,
Chronica, in Gale, Scriptores, 544-545.
1 MS. F, s.a. 1000 : "In this year the king went into Cumbria, and
destroyed it all. And the hostile fleet," etc.
"
H. of H., 170 : Therefore king Ethelred went with a very powerful
army into Cumbria, where was the chief abode of the Danes. And he conquered
the Danes in a very great battle, and raided and wasted almost the
whole of Cumbria." Cf. Fl. of W., i, 154 ; S. of D., H.R., ii, 137.
2 Ethelred II reigned 979-1016 ; A.S.C., MSS. D, E, F.
3 Lit. " Cumberland " ; So H. of H. Cf. supra, s.a. 945, note.