Chapter Eadburgh to Eckhart of E by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Eadburgh to Eckhart

Eadburgh, daughter of Edward the Elder, king of England, and Eadgifu his wife. When three years old, her father placed on the child some rings and bracelets, and showed her a chalice and a book of the Gospels, asking which she would have. The child chose the chalice and book, and Edward was pleased that “the child would be a daughter of God.” She became a nun, and lived and died in Winchester.

Eagle (The), ensign of the Roman legion. Before the Cimbrian war, the wolf, the horse, and the boar were also borne as ensigns; but Marius abolished these, and retained the eagle only, hence called emphatically “The Roman Bird.”

Eagle (The Theban), Pindar, a native of Thebes (B.C. 518–442).

Eagle of Brittany, Bertrand Duguesclin, constable of France (1320–1380).

Eagle of Divines, Thomas Aquinas (1224–1274).

Eagle of Meaux [Mo], Jacques Bénigne Bossuet, bishop of Meaux (1627–1704).

Eagle of the Doctors of France, Pierre d’Ailly, a great astrologer, who maintained that the stars foretold the great flood (1350–1425).

Earnscliff (Patrick), the young laird of Earnscliff.—Sir W. Scott The Black Dwarf (time, Anne).

Earthly Paradise (The), a poem by William Morris (1868). In imitation of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Certain Norwegians, having heard of the earthly paradise, set sail to discover it, and beguile the time by telling mythological tales. The tales are in various metres. There are also short odes on the months.

East Lynne, a novel by Mrs. Henry Wood (1861).

East Saxons or Essex, capital Colchester, founded by Erchinwin. Sebert began to reign in Essex in 604. According to tradition, where Westminster Abbey now stands was a heathen temple to Apollo, which Sebert either converted into a church called St. Peter’s, or pulled down and erected a church so called on the same site.

…from the loins of Erchinwin (who raised
Th’ East Saxons’ kingdom first) brave Sebert may be praised,
[Who] began the goodly church of Westminster to rear.
   —Drayton: Polyolbion, xi. (1613).

Eastbury House (Barking), said to be the place where the conspirators concerned in the Gunpowder Plot held their meetings; and where they hoped, from a high tower, to see the result of their plot. It is also said that lord Monteagle resided there when he received the letter advising him not to attend the parliament which God and man would hold accursed.

Eastward Hoe, a comedy by Chapman, Marston, and Ben Jonson. For this drama the three authors were imprisoned “for disrespect to their sovereign lord king James I.” (1605). (See Westward Hoe.)

Easy (Sir Charles), a man who hated trouble; “so lazy, even in his pleasures, that he would rather lose the woman of his pursuit, than go through any trouble in securing or keeping her.” He says he is resolved in future to “follow no pleasure that rises above the degree of amusement.” “When once a woman comes to reproach me with vows, and usage, and such stuff, I would as soon hear her talk of bills, bonds, and ejectments; her passion becomes as troublesome as a law-suit, and I would as soon converse with my solicitor” (act iii.).

Lady Easy, wife of sir Charles, who dearly loves him, and knows all his “naughty ways,” but never shows the slightest indication of ill temper or jealousy. At last she wholly reclaims him.—Cibber: The Careless Husband (1704).