Ina

English translation: Ina, King of Wessex

08:01 Dec 2, 2020
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
English term or phrase: Ina
Hello!

This is from Thomas Hardy's 1892 preface to his novel, Tess, where he answers several of his critics, writing as follows:

"Though if Shakespeare were an authority on history, which perhaps he is not, I could show that the sin [exclaiming against God or the gods] was introduced into Wessex as early as the Heptarchy itself. Says Glo’ster in Lear, otherwise Ina, king of that country:

'As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods;
they kill us for their sport.'”

I could find what is meant by "otherwise Ina". I'd be grateful for any explanation. Thanks.
vitaminBcomplex
Local time: 22:50
Selected answer:Ina, King of Wessex
Explanation:
I believe that Ina (also called Ine or Ini) was the King of Wessex (a kingdom in the south of England roughly from 500 - 900AD)

The Heptarchy refers to the 7 kingdoms of England during that period.

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Note added at 14 mins (2020-12-02 08:15:39 GMT)
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"Glo’ster in Lear, otherwise Ina, king of that country"

I believe that Hardy is saying that Glo'ster in Lear is based on Ina, King of Wessex
aka Glo'ster in Lear, AKA / otherwise known as, King Ina
Selected response from:

David Jones
Taiwan
Local time: 03:50
Grading comment
Thank you David. Simple but of great help! :)
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +2Ina, King of Wessex
David Jones


  

Answers


12 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
ina
Ina, King of Wessex


Explanation:
I believe that Ina (also called Ine or Ini) was the King of Wessex (a kingdom in the south of England roughly from 500 - 900AD)

The Heptarchy refers to the 7 kingdoms of England during that period.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 14 mins (2020-12-02 08:15:39 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

"Glo’ster in Lear, otherwise Ina, king of that country"

I believe that Hardy is saying that Glo'ster in Lear is based on Ina, King of Wessex
aka Glo'ster in Lear, AKA / otherwise known as, King Ina


    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ine_of_Wessex#:~:text=Ine%2C%20also%20rendered%20Ini%20or,dominated%20much%20of%20southern%20England.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heptarchy
David Jones
Taiwan
Local time: 03:50
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you David. Simple but of great help! :)

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Yvonne Gallagher
1 hr

agree  AllegroTrans: Arrhh, that be true
5 hrs
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