Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/162

132 immediately under the figure of our Saviour, show that the monument is of a Christian character; the last letter being evidently the Runic S, and not an inverted Z. as supposed by Mr. Smith. The third line begins with the letters PATR: but it appears uncertain whether they are intended for pater, or part of some such word as patria, Patrick, &c.; or whether the first letter is not W, in which case the word will probably be WAETRO, the plural of waeter. In the sixth line we find the word SUENO, which, taken in connection with the word Danegelt, on the south side, may indicate the period, as well as the object, of the erection of the monument. In the reign of Ethelred the Unready, a terrible deed was done in England. With a view of providing against the treachery of these numerous Danish families (especially such as had been permitted by Allred the Great to settle in Northumberland and East Anglia), who upon any threatened invasion, were ready to join their countrymen against those among whom they were allowed lo reside, Ethelred, with a policy incident to weak princes, adopted the resolution of putting them to the sword throughout his dominions. On the 13th of Nov. 1002, in pursuance of secret instructions sent by the king over the country, the inhabitants of every town and city rose, and murdered all the Danes, who were their neighbours, young and old, men, women, and children. Every Dane was killed, even to