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resistance to the arms of the Angles, and left him
free to establish a paramount sovereignty over the
lesser states of his own countrymen.
After Ella's death Redwald, the king of East
Anglia, gave shelter and protection to Edwin, the
son of the sovereign of Deira. This act gave great
umbrage to Ethelfrith, and he sent messengers time
after time to Redwald, demanding the slaughter of
Edwin, tempting his cupidity by the offer of a heavy
bribe as the price of his betrayal of the trust he had
voluntarily undertaken. But the bribe was offered in
vain. At one time, indeed, Redwald was half-disposed
to yield, but his queen's remonstrances worked
upon his better nature, and he refused to stain his
hands with Edwin's blood. Ethelfrith then resorted
to threats. Redwald dreaded the power of the
Northumbrian prince, and his resolution to protect
Edwin again wavered. The latter was aware of the
danger he was in, and, whilst sadly musing upon his
perilous condition, a stranger stood before him and
questioned him on the subject of his deep despondency.
He addressed him as one who knew his
rank and all the perils which encompassed him. He
spoke mysteriously of his future, hinted at his regaining
his father's throne, and of the possibility of his
hereafter meeting with one who should tell him of a
better life and a higher and purer law than either he
or his fathers had ever known. Edwin promised in
answer to the stranger's questions that he would
believe and obey the utterances of such a one if only
they tended to his deliverance from the troubles that
beset him and placed him again on his seat of