e more to play a considerable part on the
stage. I was born in England, in the reign of Ethelred II. My father's
name was Ulnoth: he was earl or thane of Sussex. I was afterwards known
by the name of earl Goodwin, and began to make a considerable figure
in the world in the time of Harold Harefoot, whom I procured to be made
king of Wessex, or the West Saxons, in prejudice of Hardicanute, whose
mother Emma endeavored afterwards to set another of her sons on the
throne; but I circumvented her, and, communicating her design to the
king, at the same time acquainted him with a project which I had formed
for the murder of these two young princes. Emma had sent for these her
sons from Normandy, with the king's leave, whom she had deceived by her
religious behavior, and pretended neglect of all worldly affairs; but I
prevailed with Harold to invite these princes to his court, and put
them to death. The prudent mother sent only Alfred, retaining Edward
to herself, as she suspected my ill designs, and thought I should not
venture to execute them on one of her sons, while she secured the other;
but she was deceived, for I had no sooner Alfred in my possession than
I caused him to be conducted to Ely, where I ordered his eyes to be put
out, and afterwards to be confined in a monastery.

"This was one of those cruel expedients which great men satisfy
themselves well in executing, by concluding them to be necessary to the
service of their prince, who is the support of their ambition.

"Edward, the other son of Emma, escaped again to Normandy; whence, after
the death of Harold and Hardicanute, he made no scruple of applying to
my protection and favor, though he had before prosecuted me with all the
vengeance he was able, for the murder of his brother; but in all great
affairs private relation must yield to public interest. Having therefore
concluded very advantageous terms for myself with him, I made no scruple
of patronizing his cause, and soon placed him on the throne. Nor did I
conceive the least apprehension from his resentment, as I knew my power
was too great for him to encounter.

"Among other stipulated conditions, one was to marry my daughter Editha.
This Edward consented to with great reluctance, and I had afterwards
no reason to be pleased with it; for it raised her, who had been my
favorite child, to such an opinion of greatness, that, instead of paying
me the usual respect, she frequently threw in my teeth (as often at