Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/363

Rh Ethelred, alledging only the natural desire of a mother to see those children from whom she had so long been separated. But Godwin saw clearly that the views and hope of Emma were to rekindle, by their presence, the love of the English for their ancient race of monarchs, and to secure them the crown, if her youngest son would not quit Denmark: he, however, craftily applauded her design, and facilitated its execution; that he might immolate to Harold those important victims. But Emma, though unsuspicious of his perfidy, had the distrust of a mother. She never suffered the two princes to visit Godwin together, keeping one of them constantly under her own eye; and only permitting the other to leave her under the escort of the faithful Normans they had brought over with them. Godwin, not being able to destroy both, sacrificed the eldest; and Emma secretly sent back Edward to his asylum in Normandy. Godwin, furious at being disappointed, accused her of treason, and had credit enough to banish her the kingdom. Hardicanute, at length, came over, and all parties united under him, during his short reign; when Edward the Confessor ascended the throne.

Emma, who was a woman of abilities, had so great a share of the government and so much credit at court, that the earl of Kent, who had enjoyed a great authority in preceding reigns, grew jealous of her. He charged her with several crimes, and the king, who was easily imposed upon, believed her guilty; went suddenly to Winchester, the place of her residence, deprived her of all her treasures, and reduced her to the greatest poverty, so that she almost died of famine. In