[Sidenote:  ADELSTAN. Matt.  West. Will.  Malmes. 924.] Adelstane the eldest sonne of king Edward began his reigne ouer the more part of all England, the yeere of our Lord 924, which was in the 6 yere of the emperour Henrie the first, in the 31 yeere of the reigne of Charles surnamed Simplex king of France, three moneths after the burning of Pauie, & about the 22 or 23 yeere of Constantine the third, king of Scotland.  This Adelstane was crowned and consecrated king at Kingstone vpon Thames, of Aldelme the archbishop of Canturburie, who succeeded Pleimond.  He was the 24 king in number from Cerdicus or Cerdike the first king of the Westsaxons.  There were in the [Sidenote:  Alfred striueth in vaine to keepe Adelstane from the gouernment. Wil.  Malm. See more hereof in the acts and monuments set foorth by M.  Fox, vol. 1. leafe 195.] beginning some that set themselues against him, as one Alfred a noble man, which practised by treason to haue kept him from the gouernement:  but he was apprehended yer he could bring his purpose to passe, and sent to Rome there to trie himselfe giltie or not giltie.  And as he tooke his oth for his purgation before the altar of saint Peter, he suddenlie fell downe to the earth, so that his seruants tooke him vp, and bare him into the English schoole or hospitall, where the third night after he died.

Pope Iohn the tenth sent vnto king Adelstane, to know if he would that his bodie should be laid in Christian buriall or not.  The king at the contemplation of Alfreds friends and kinsfolks, signified to the pope that he was contented that his bodie should be interred amongst other christians.  His lands being forfeited were giuen by the king vnto God and saint Peter.  The cause that mooued Alfred and other his complices against the king, was (as some haue alledged) his bastardie.  But whether that allegation were true or but a slander, this is certeine, that except that steine of his honor, there was nothing in this Adelstane worthie of blame:  so that he darkened all the glorious fame of his predecessors, both in vertuous conditions and victorious triumphs.  Such difference is there to haue that in thy selfe wherein to excell, rather than to stand vpon the woorthinesse of thine ancestors, sith that can not rightlie be called a mans owne.

After that king Adelstane was established in the estate, he indeuored himselfe to answer the expectation of his people; which hoped for great wealth to insue by his noble and prudent gouernance.  First [Sidenote:  Anno 925. Simon Dun. Polydor.] therfore meaning to prouide for the suertie of his countrie, he concluded a peace with Sithrike king of the Northumbers, vnto whome (as ye haue heard) he gaue one of his sisters named Editha in mariage.  Sithrike liued not past one yeere after he had so maried hir.  And then Adelstane brought the prouince of the Northumbers vnto his subiection, expelling one Aldulph out of the same that rebelled against him.