MONKS OF BANGOR PUT TO THE SWORD BY ORDER OF ETHELFRID 1771 ANTIQUE ENGRAVING

Original 1771 6 1/2 inch x 4 inch copper plate engraving titled THE MONKS OF BANGOR PUT TO THE SWORD BY ORDER OF ETHELFRID.

Æthelfrith (Ethelfrid) was King of Bernicia from c. 593 until his death in c. 616. Towards the end of his reign, he attacked the Kingdom of Powys and defeated its army in a battle at Chester, in which the Powysian king Selyf Sarffgadau was killed, along with another king called Cetula. He also massacred the monks of Bangor-Is-Coed who were assembled to aid the Britons by their prayers. Bede says that he decided to attack them because, although they were not armed, they were opposing him through their prayers. The number of dead monks was said to be about 1200, with only fifty escaping.

Engraved by Charles Grignion (1721 - 1810). Engraver of French origin but worked and died in England; very active in middle decades of the century.

After Samuel Wale (1721 – 1786). An English historical painter and book illustrator. His main work was in designing vignettes and illustrations on a small scale for the booksellers.

From ‘The complete English Traveller; a new survey and Description of England and wales. Containing a full Account of whatever is curious and entertaining in the several Counties of England and Wales, The Isles of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, and other islands adjoining to, and dependant on the Crown of Great Britain’ by Nathaniel Spencer.
Printed for John Cooke, Shakespeare’s Head, Paternoster Row, London 1771.

Page size 9 inch x 14 inch

The engraving, on chain-laid paper, is in very good condition with minor age related toning. Reverse side blank.