He had, indeed, taken the pains to draw up the rules which he deemed
proper to be observed in this juvenile society. One of the most
important of these, namely, that a system of perfect equality should be
observed toward all the individuals of whom it was composed, was,
however, soon violated in favor of Prince Edwin, who, because he was
the Atheling, as the heir apparent to the throne was called in those
days, was honored with peculiar marks of distinction. Every person in
the college, from the masters to the humblest servitor, appeared
desirous of winning the favor of the future sovereign, and of this
Edwin too soon became aware.
Prince Edwin was the leader of the sports, and no amusement was adopted
unless his approbation had previously been asked and obtained. All
disputed matters were referred to his decision, and no appeal from his
judgment was permitted.
It would have afforded subject of serious reflection, perhaps of
jealous alarm, to the king had he been aware of the injudicious courses
which were pursued by those around Prince Edwin; but Athelstane was
engaged in bloody wars with the Danes and the insurgent Welsh princes,
which kept him far remote from Oxford.
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