other-in-law, Eadric, alderman of Mercia, he succeeded at last in
vanquishing the English army on the memorable field of Assandun.(61)

(M39)

After this Edmund reluctantly consented to a conference and a division of
the kingdom. The meeting took place at Olney, and there it was agreed that
Edmund should retain his crown, and rule over all England south of the
Thames, together with East Anglia, Essex and London, whilst Cnut should
enjoy the rest of the kingdom. "The citizens, beneath whose walls the
power of Cnut and his father had been so often shattered, now made peace
with the Danish host. As usual, money was paid to them, and they were
allowed to winter as friends within the unconquered city."(62)

(M40)

The partition of the kingdom between Edmund and Cnut had scarcely been
agreed upon before the former unexpectedly died (30th Nov., 1016) and Cnut
became master of London and king of all England. His rule was mild,
beneficent and just, recognising no distinction between Dane and
Englishman, and throughout his long reign of nearly twenty years the
citizens of London enjoyed that perfect peace so necessary for the
successful exercise of their commercial pursuits.

(M41)

At the election of Cnut's successor which took place at Oxford in 1035,
the Londoners again played an important part. This time, however, it was
not the "burhwaru or burgesses" of the City who attended the gemot which
had been summoned for the purpose of election, but "lithsmen" of London.

(M42)

As to who these "lithsmen" were, and how they came to represent the City
(if indeed they represented the City at all) on this important occasion
much controversy has arisen. To some they appear as nothing more than the
"nautic multitude" or "sea-faring men" of London.(63) On the other hand,
there are those who hold that they were merchants who had achieved thane
right under the provisions of Athelstan's day already mentioned;(64)
whilst there are still others who are inclined to look upon them as so
many commercial travellers who had made their way to Oxford by river in
the ordinary course of business, and who happened by good fortune to have
been in that city at the time of a great political crisis.(65) The truth
probably lies somewhere between these extremes. The "lithsmen" may not
themselves have been thanes, although they are recorded as having been at
Oxford with almost all the thanes north of the Thames;(66) but that they
were something more t