The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-01
Great Trials of History.
TRIAL or QUEEN EMMA.

The most remarkable trial by fire.
recorded in English history is that
ot Queen Emma. This lady was the
daughter OF Richard H.. Duke OF Nor
mandy. She was married TO Ethclrcd,
sing Of England. and was the mother
a. Edward the Confessoi. She had Il
large share in the administration OF
affairs during her sons reign, and had
80 considerable an interest that Good
win. Earl Of Kent, who was chief min
ister, was afraid OF being eclipsed by
her asccndeuCy.
70 get rid OF this competition Good
win charged the Cueen-mother with
several crimes. ana getting some OF
the leading mobiles To sanctioa his
charges, the King, who was n weak ana
ovcr-credulous man. made her Il visit
and seized her money and estates un-
der pretense that She had enriched
herself by avarice and injustice. She
was then arrested on three charges:
l. That she consented TO the death
of her son Alfred.
.. That she used her endeavor to
prevent icr son, the then King. from
obtaining the crown.
g. That she maintained n scandalous
in,ercours" with .Alwync. bishop OF
Winchester
For her trial upon these articles. the
Archbishop Of Canterbury. in conform
!ty with the King direction, convened
synod to Investigate the matter.
Tie Queen was not heard, or in any
way intcrroeated By the assembly, and
she was found guilty by way OF pun
ishmcnt the Archbishop directed that
Queen Emma WAS To go on her bare
feet over nine plough shares heated red
hot, III the presence of the clergy and
The people, in the Cathedral church at
Winchester and ii She receive no harm
IN this trial, she was 10 be rcputcd in
nocent; but If otherwise she was to
undergo the punishment Of death
The unhappy Queen spent the night
before the ordeal in prayer at St
Swithin's tomb in the church. and next
DAY after the preparatory ceremonies
she walked over the nine hot plough
shares unhurt. in the presence Of the
King. the nobility and Clergy The
FIRE. say III assumed choniclers. was
- Ia" from making any impression.
that after She had walked out of the
church, ana had even ;rod upon all
the irons. she asked when they intend
Cd 10 bring her to the test.
When the King saw how his mother
had come safely through the ordeal
he was Reconstruction. ana falling on
his knees he expressed his wiling
ness 10 make PREPARATION. not orly to
his mother, but also To the Eishop of
Winchester. TO preserve ;hc memory
Of the miracle, the plowshares vera
buried in the cloister of Winchester
and one-and-twcntv manors were
settled upon the bishopric ana church
OF Winchester three al whf SEQ. Z,
given by the King, nine hy Queen EN-
ma and as many by the bishop himself.
TIKI trial by dire ordeal was not
uncommon In the time OF Richard IT,,
ana at an earlier ;,criod IN tbo Orjo,I
one pound OF iron was enough for n
singh" probation, aud three served for
triple one. ana none were to H. pres
"nt bu; SUCH as were fasting. The
ntanies being said the priest began
his abJuration. at the finish OF which
holy water was given to all present to
taste and sprinkle over the house. Then
followed tho trial by Are ordeal.
There was another equally odd form
of punishment known as the trial by
scaldiug water. The accused was COM
PEELED To take a stone out OF scalding
water After the hand was Withdrawn
IL was sealed UP, Kept SO for three