Page:Cassell's Illustrated History of England vol 1.djvu/57

TO A.D. 959.] young, he gave proofs of an understanding and in dependence of mind, very different from the slavish, superstitious subjection of his predecessor. One of the first acts of his administration was to call Dunstan to a for the vast sums of money which the late king had entrusted to him.



The haughty churchman, instead of rendering an account, answered that they had been placed in his hands for religious purposes, and that he was not answerable to any earthly tribunal. At the same time he condescended to add that Edred's liberality in rebuilding Glastonbury would explain the expenditure of the greater part of it. With this reply both the king and his council were compelled to appear content, and let the matter drop, for fear of the people, incited by the monks, should take offence, and espouse the abbot's cause.