Also about that time, when the linage of the kings of England was in maner extinct, the English people were much carefull (as hath beene said) about the succession of those that should inioie the crowne.  Wherevpon as one Brightwold a moonke of Glastenburie, that was afterward bishop of Wincester, or (as some haue written) of Worcester, studied oftentimes thereon:  it chanced that he dreamed one night as he slept in his bed, that he saw saint Peter consecrate & annoint Edward the sonne of Egelred (as then remaining in exile in Normandie) king of England.  And as he thought, he did demand of saint Peter, who should succeed the said Edward?  Wherevnto answer was made by the apostle; Haue thou no care for such matters, for the kingdome of England is Gods kingdome.  Which suerlie in good earnest may appeare by manie great arguments to be full true vnto such as shall well consider the state of this realme from time to time, how there hath beene euer gouernours raised vp to mainteine the maiestie of the kingdome, and to reduce the same to the former dignitie, when by anie infortunate mishap it hath beene brought in danger.

[Sidenote:  The death of K. Hardicnute. Sim.  Dunel. Matth.  West. 1042.] But to returne now to king Hardicnute, after he had reigned two yeers lacking 10 daies, as he sat at the table in a great feast holden at Lambeth, he fell downe suddenlie with the pot in his hand, and so died not without some suspicion of poison.  This chanced on the 8 of Iune at Lambeth aforesaid, where, on the same day a mariage was solemnized betweene the ladie Githa, the daughter of a noble man called Osgot Clappa, and a Danish lord also called Canute Prudan.  His bodie was buried at Winchester besides his father.  He was of nature [Sidenote:  K. Hardicnute his conditions and liberalitie in housekeeping. Hen.  Hunt.] verie curteous, gentle and liberall, speciallie in keeping good cheere in his house, so that he would haue his table couered foure times a day, & furnished with great plentie of meates and drinks, wishing that his seruants and all strangers that came to his palace, [Sidenote:  Of whom the Englishmen learned excessiue feeding.] might rather leaue than want.  It hath beene commonlie told, that Englishmen learned of him their excessiue gourmandizing & vnmeasurable filling of their panches with meates and drinkes, whereby they forgat the vertuous vse of sobrietie, so much necessarie to all estates and degrees, so profitable for all common-wealthes, and so commendable both in the sight of God, and all good men.

[Sidenote:  The end of the Danish rulers.] In this Hardicnute ceased the rule of the Danes within this land, with the persecution which they had executed against the English nation, for the space of 250 yeres & more, that is to say, euer since the tenth yeere of Brithrike the king of Westsaxons, at what time they first began to inuade the English coasts.  Howbeit (after others) they should seeme to haue ruled here but 207, reckoning from their bringing in by the Welshmen in despite of the Saxons, at which time they first began to inhabit here, which was 835 of Christ, 387 after the comming of the Saxons, and 35 neere complet of the reigne of Egbert.