Front matter (continued 2)

868.

This year the same army came into Mercia as far as Nottingham, and took up their winter quarters there, and Burhred King of Mercia and his Witan begged Æthered King of Wessex and his brother Alfred to assist them, that they might fight against this army. And then they came with the West Saxon troops into Mercia and to Nottingham, and they found them within the fortress, and besieged them, and there was no battle of moment, and the Mercians made peace with the army.

869.

This year the army went again to York, and remained there one year.

870.

This year the heathen army rode over Mercia into East Anglia, and took up their winter quarters at Thetford. And in the winter the King St. Edmund fought with them, and the Danes gained the victory, and slew the King, and they subjected all that land, and destroyed all the monasteries to which they came. The names of their chiefs who slew the King were Higwais and Ubba. At the same time they came to Medeshamstede, which they burned and pulled down. They slew the Abbot and the monks and all whom they found there; and that place which before was very rich, they brought to possess nothing. And the same year Archbishop Ceolnoth died, and Æthered Bishop of Wiltshire was translated to the see of Canterbury.

871.

This year the army came to Reading, in Wessex, and in about three days, two of their Earls rode forth, and the Alderman Æthelwulf met them at Englefield, and fought with them and won the victory, and one of them whose name was Sidrac was slain. Then in about four days King Æthered and his brother Alfred led a great force to Reading, and fought with the army, and there was much slaughter on both sides, and the Alderman Æthelwulf was killed, and the Danes remained masters of the field. And about four days from that time King Æthered and his brother Alfred fought with all the army at Æcesdun,[W] and the Danes were overcome; they had two heathen Kings Bagsæc and Healfden, and many Earls, and they were in two divisions, the Kings Bagsæc and Healfden commanded the one, and the Earls headed the other. King Æthered fought with the division under the Kings and Bagsæc was slain, and his brother Alfred with that of the Earls, and Earl Sidroc[X] the elder, and Earl Sidroc the younger, and Earl Osbearn, and Earl Fræna, and Earl Hareld were killed; and then both divisions fled, and many thousands were slain, and they continued fighting until night. And in about a fortnight King Æthered and his brother Alfred fought with the army at Basing, and there the Danes gained the victory. And about two months afterwards King Æthered and his brother Alfred fought at Mere-tun,[Y] with this army which was in two divisions, and they had the advantage over both during great part of the day, but there was much slaughter on either side, and the Danes remained masters of the field, and Bishop Heahmund and many good men were slain there. And after this fight a great summer[Z] pestilence came upon Reading. And King Æthered died after Easter; he reigned five years, and his body lieth at Winborn Minster. His brother Alfred the son of Æthelwulf succeeded to the kingdom of Wessex, and in about a month, he and a small number of men fought with all the army at Wilton, and had the advantage great part of the day, but the Danes kept possession of the field of battle. And this year nine battles were fought in that kingdom, south of the Thames; and, besides these, the King’s brother Alfred, and the Aldermen and the King’s Thanes rode forth separately against the Danes, times out of number. And this year nine Earls and a King were slain: and the same year the men of Wessex made peace with the army.

872.

This year the army went from Reading to London, and there took up their winter quarters, and the Mercians made peace with them.

873.

This year the army went into Northumberland, and they took up their winter quarters at Torksey, in Lindsey: then the Mercians again made peace with them.

874.

This year the army proceeded from Lindsey to Repton, and there they took up their winter quarters. And they drove King Burhred over sea, about twenty-two years from the time that he had begun to reign. And they conquered all that country. And King Burhred went to Rome and abode there unto the end of his life, and his body lieth in St. Mary’s Church, in the school of the English nation. The same year they gave the kingdom of Mercia to Ceolwulf, an unwise Thane of the King, that he should hold it; and he swore oaths to them and gave hostages that the kingdom should be at their command, on whatsoever day they might wish to have it again, and that he himself and all his subjects should be ready to aid the army.

875.

This year the army departed from Repton; and Healfden went with part of the troops into Northumberland, and wintered by the river Tyne; and this division conquered that land, and made many inroads upon the Picts and the Strathclyde Britons. And the three Kings, Godrun, Oscytel, and Anwind, went from Repton to Cambridge with a large army, and abode there one year. And this summer King Alfred went out to sea with a fleet, and fought with seven pirate ships, and took one of them, and put the rest to flight.

876.

This year Rodla (Rollo), with his forces, overran Normandy; he reigned 50 years. And this year the Danes marched secretly into Wareham in Wessex, and afterwards the King made peace with that army, and they gave the noblest amongst them as hostages, and swore oaths to him on the holy bracelet[AA] (which they would never do for any nation before), that they would forthwith depart from his kingdom. Yet under these engagements their horse stole off by night to Exeter. And the same year Healfden parcelled out Northumberland, and they ploughed and tilled it.

877.

This year the army came from Wareham into Exeter, and the fleet sailed round to the west, and a great storm met them at sea, and 120 ships were wrecked at Swanwich. And King Alfred with his troops rode after the Danish horse as far as Exeter, but they could not come up with them before they were in the fortress where none might assail them. And they gave him hostages, as many as he would, and swore solemn oaths, and they kept this peace well. Then in the autumn the army went into Mercia, and they parcelled out part of the land (amongst themselves), and they gave part to Ceolwulf.

878.

This year at mid-winter the army marched secretly to Chippenham after Twelfth night, and they overran Wessex, and they fixed themselves there, and drove many of the inhabitants over sea, and they rode forth against most of those who remained, until all had submitted to them excepting King Alfred, and he with a small party hardly escaped into the woods and the hill fastnesses. The same winter the brother of Inwær and Healfden came with 23 ships to Devonshire in Wessex, and he was slain there, and 840 men with him; and the sacred standard, which they called the raven, was taken. And at Easter King Alfred, with his small band, raised a fortress at Æthelinga-igge (Athelney) and thence he made sallies upon the army, together with the men of Somerset who were nearest to him.—Then in the seventh week after Easter he rode to Ecgbyrhtes-stan (Brixton) east of Selwood, and there all the men of Somerset and Wiltshire and Hampshire, all who were on this side the sea, met him, and were rejoiced to see him. And after one night he went from that village to Iglea (Leigh), and thence again after another night to Æthan-dun (Edindon), and there he fought with the whole army, and he put the Danes to flight, and pursued them as far as their fortress, and he remained there a fortnight. And then the army gave him hostages, with solemn oaths that they would depart from his kingdom, and they promised that their King should receive baptism, which also was performed. And in about three weeks King Godrun, with some thirty men, the noblest in the army, came to him at Aire which is near Athelney, and the King stood godfather at his baptism, and he put off the Chrisom-cloth at Wetmor (Wedmor), and he was twelve days with the King, who honoured him and his companions with great presents.

879.

This year the army went from Chippenham to Cirencester, and remained there one year: and this year a body of pirates was gathered together and settled at Fulham on the Thames. And the same year the sun was eclipsed for one hour in the day. And the army went from Cirencester into East Anglia, and fixed themselves in that land, and divided it. And the same year the army which was before at Fulham went over sea to Ghent in France, and abode there one year.

881.

This year the army went over to France, and the French fought with these invaders, and the army horsed itself after that battle.

882.

This year the army went up along the Maese far into France, and remained there one year. And the same year King Alfred went out to sea, and fought with four Danish pirate ships, and he took two of them, the men therein being slain, and two yielded to him, but many of the men were cut down and wounded before they would surrender themselves.

883.

This year the army proceeded up the Scheldt to Condé, and abode there one year. And the great Pope Marinus sent a piece of our Lord’s cross to King Alfred. And this year Sighelm and Athelstan carried to Rome the alms which King Alfred had vowed to send thither, and also into India, to St. Thomas and to St. Bartholomew. Then troops were posted at London to oppose the army, and, thanks to God, they were very successful after these vows.

884.

This year the army went up the Somme to Amiens, and remained there one year. This year died the good Bishop Athelwold.

885.

This year the aforesaid army divided itself into two parts, one division went eastward,[AB] the other proceeded to Rochester, and besieged that town: and they built another fortress over against it, yet the inhabitants defended the place until King Alfred came out with his troops. Then the army went to the ships and deserted the fortress, and the king’s men were supplied with horses; and soon after, in the course of the same summer, the Danes departed again over sea. And the same year King Alfred sent a fleet from Kent to East Anglia. As soon as they came to the mouth of the Stour, they met 16 pirate ships, and they gave them battle immediately, and they took all the ships and slew the men, but as they were returning homeward with the booty, they met a large fleet of pirates, and they fought with them also the same day, and the Danes gained the victory. Charles King of France died this year, he was killed by a wild boar. And his brother also who reigned over the Western Empire had died one year before; and they were both sons of Louis who held the Western Empire, and who died the year in which the sun was eclipsed; he was the son of that Charles whose daughter Æthelwulf King of Wessex had to wife. And the same year a large fleet was gathered together among the Old Saxons,[AC] and there were two great fights, and the Saxons gained the victory, and the Frisians were with them. This year Charles succeeded to the Western Empire, comprehending all the lands, exclusive of Britanny, from the Wendel sea (the Mediterranean) unto this sea, even as his great grandfather had possessed them: this Charles was the son of Louis, the brother of Charles the father of Judith whom Æthelwulf King of Wessex had to wife; these were the sons of Louis, and he was the son of Charles the elder, and Charles was the son of Pepin. And the same year died the good Pope Marinus, who freed the school of the English nation from tribute at the desire of King Alfred, and who sent him great gifts, and holy relics, and a piece of the cross on which Christ suffered. And this year the army in East Anglia broke the peace with King Alfred.

886.

This year the army, which before had bent its course eastward, turned again to the west; and they went up the Seine, and fixed their winter quarters at the city of Paris. The same year King Alfred repaired London, and all the English people who were free from the bondage of the Danes came over to him, and he committed the city to the care of the Alderman Æthered.

887.

This year the army went over the bridge at Paris, and thence along the Seine unto the Marne, and then up the Marne to Caziei (Choisy?) and they fixed themselves there, and in Yonne, spending two winters in these two stations.—And the same year died Charles King of France; his brother’s son Earnulf had deprived him of the kingdom six weeks before his death. Then was that kingdom divided into five parts, and five Kings were consecrated thereto; yet this was done with the consent of Earnulf, and they said that they would hold their kingdoms at his hand, because none of them were claimants on the father’s side, excepting him alone. Then Earnulf dwelt in the country east of the Rhine; and Hrothulf took the middle kingdom; and Oda the western parts; and Beorngar and Witha took Lombardy, and the lands on that side of the mountains, and they reigned there in much enmity, and they frequently laid waste that land, and they fought two pitched battles, and many times did each drive out the other. And the same year that the army went forth over the bridge at Paris, the Alderman Æthelhelm carried to Rome the alms of the West Saxons and of King Alfred.

888.

This year the Alderman Beocca carried the alms of the West Saxons and of King Alfred to Rome. And Queen Æthelswith, who was the sister of King Alfred, died on her way to Rome, and her body lieth at Pavia. And the same year Æthered Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Alderman Æthelwold died in one month.

889.

This year no one journeyed to Rome, excepting two couriers whom King Alfred sent with letters.

890.

This year the Abbot Beornhelm carried the alms of King Alfred and the West Saxons to Rome. And Godrun King of the Northmen died; his baptismal name was Æthelstan, and he was King Alfred’s godson: he dwelt in East Anglia, and first colonized that land.[AD] And the same year the army from the Seine went to St. Lo, which is between Britanny and France, and the Bretons fought with them, and gained the victory, and drove them into a river and drowned many. This year Plegemund was chosen of God and of all his saints to the Archbishoprick of Canterbury.

891.

This year the army went eastward, and King Earnulf with the East French, and the Saxons, and the Bavarians, fought with their horse before the ships arrived, and put them to flight. And three Scots came to King Alfred from Ireland, in a boat without any rowers, and they had stolen away from that country because they would go on a pilgrimage for the love of God, they cared not whither. The boat was made of three hides and a half, and they took with them food for a week, and in about seven days they came to land in Cornwall, and proceeded forthwith to King Alfred: they were thus named, Dubslane, and Macbeth, and Maelinmun. And Swifneh the most learned teacher of the Scots died. And after Easter the same year, about Rogation week or before, a star appeared which is called Cometa in Latin, and some men say that this in English signifies a hairy star, for long rays stream from it, sometimes on one side, sometimes on the other.

893.

This year the great army, of which we have before spoken, returned from the Eastern kingdom westward to Boulogne, and there they took shipping; so that they came over at one passage, horses and all. And they arrived at Limene mutha (New Romney?) with 250 ships. This harbour is on the eastern side of Kent, and at the eastern end of the great wood called Andred; this wood is from east to west 112 miles long or more, and 30 miles broad, and the river of which we have spoken floweth out of the weald. They towed their ships up this river as far as the wood, four miles from the outward mouth. They stormed a fortress in the fens; a few countrymen were in it, and it was half finished. Soon afterwards, Hastings came into the mouth of the Thames with 80 ships, and there he built a fortress at Middel-tun (Milton), and the other army one at Appledore.

“This year died Wulfhere Archbishop of the Northumbrians.”

894.

This year, it being about 12 months, after they had built the fortress in the eastern kingdom, the Northumbrians and the East Angles, who had taken oaths to King Alfred, the East Angles having also given him six hostages, yet broke their faith, and whenever the other armies went out to plunder, these went forth also, either with them or in a separate division. Then King Alfred gathered together his troops, and came and encamped between the two armies in the nearest place defended by wood and by water, so that he could fall upon either, if they sought any field for forage; whilst they still going about the weald in parties of foot and troops of horse, to plunder the country wherever it was unprotected, continually encountered other parties from the King’s army or from the towns day and night. The King had also divided his forces into two parts, so that half his troops were always at home, and half out, exclusive of those who were employed in guarding the towns. Neither were all the heathen forces out of their quarters at the same time oftener than twice, once when they first came to land before the King’s army was assembled, and again when they would depart from this station. Then when they had collected much plunder, and would have carried it northward across the Thames into Essex, and towards the ships, the King’s army hastened before them, and fought with them at Farnham, and put them to flight, and got possession of the spoil; and they fled across the Thames, where there was no ford, and thence down the Colne to a certain island (Mersey or Bricklesey). The King’s troops[AE] remained encamped round about them as long as they had provisions, for their time of service was limited, and their meat proportioned thereto. And the King being on his march thither with the shire that served under him, the other troops departed home, and the Danes remained in the same place, because their King had been wounded in the battle, and they could not remove him. Then the Danes who were settled in Northumberland and East Anglia gathered together about an hundred ships, with which they sailed round by the south; and some forty ships besides which sailed round by the north, and besieged a fortress on the northern coast of Devonshire. And those who had sailed by the south besieged Exeter. When the King heard this, he turned westward with all his forces, excepting a detachment of troops who were to watch the enemy in the east. These troops went forward until they came to London, and then, with the citizens and the aids which joined them from the west, they marched eastward to Benfleet: Hastings had come thither with his army, which was before at Milton, and the great army was come thither also which was before at Appledore, near Limine Mutha. Hastings had built the fortress at Benfleet, and he was then gone out to plunder, and the great army was at home. Then they came, and put that army to flight, and stormed the fortress, and they took all that was therein, treasure, women, and children, and they carried all to London, and they broke up or burned all the ships, or brought them to London or Rochester. And the wife of Hastings and his two sons were brought to the King, and the King gave them to him again, because the one was his own Godson, the other the Alderman Æthered’s. They had been before taken, ere Hastings came to Benfleet, and he had given hostages and oaths, and the King had also given him much money, and then also he had restored his wife and children. But as soon as he came to Benfleet, and the fortress was finished, he ravaged the very district of Alfred’s kingdom which was under his son’s Godfather Æthered, and again a second time he was gone out to plunder the same province, when his fortress was destroyed. The King, as was said before, had marched with his army towards Exeter, and when he came thither, the army which had besieged the town made for the ships. Whilst he was engaged with his enemies in the west, both the other ravaging armies joined at Shobury, in Essex, and they raised a fortress there: then they went up together along the Thames, and a reinforcement came to them from East Anglia and Northumberland, and they proceeded by the side of the Thames, until they crossed over to the Severn; and then they marched along the Severn. Then the Aldermen Æthered, and Æthelm, and Æthelnoth, and the King’s Thanes who were at home in their fortresses, gathered together an army from every town east of the Parret, and west of Selwood, also east and north of the Thames, and west of the Severn, and they raised moreover some part of the Welsh nation. When they were all assembled they came up with the army at Butdiging-tun (Bultington?) on the banks of the Severn, and there they besieged them on every side in a fortress. When they had been encamped on the two sides of the river for many weeks, the King being still detained by the fleet in the west, in Devonshire, the Danes were pressed by hunger, and they had eaten great part of their horses, and some perished through famine. Then they rushed out upon the men who were posted on the eastern side of the river, and fought with them, and the Christians gained the victory, but the King’s Thane Ordhelm was slain there, and many others of the King’s Thanes; and those (of the heathens) who escaped were saved by flight. When they came to their fortress and ships in Essex, the remnant again collected a large army from amongst the East Angles and Northumbrians before winter, and they secured their wives, and their ships, and their treasures, in East Anglia, and marched straight forward day and night until they came to a western town in Wirehall which is called Lega-ceaster (Chester).—And the King’s troops could not overtake them until they were within the fortifications; nevertheless they encamped around the place for about two days, and they took all the cattle that were in the neighbourhood, and they slew the men whom they met without the fortress, and they burned the corn, or, together with their horses, consumed it. And this was about twelve months from the time that they came hither from beyond sea.

895.

This year, soon afterwards, the army went from Wirehall into North Wales, for they could not remain without corn or cattle to subsist on.—Then they departed again from North Wales with their plunder, and they passed through Northumberland and East Anglia, and the King’s army could not overtake them before they had reached the eastern part of Essex, and had come to an island in the sea which is called Mersey.—And the division which had besieged Exeter, on their return homewards invaded the South Saxons near Chichester, but the townsmen put them to flight, and slew many hundreds of them, and took some of their ships. The same year, before winter, the Danes who were quartered in Mersey towed their ships up the Thames, and thence up the Lea. This was about two years from the time that they came hither from beyond the sea.

896.

This year the aforesaid army built a fortress on the Lea, 20 miles above London. Then in the summer, many of the citizens with others went forth and attacked this fortress of the Danes, but they were driven back, and some four of the King’s Thanes were slain there. During the following harvest, the King encamped in the neighbourhood of the city while the people reaped their corn, that the Danes might not annoy them. One day the King was riding by the river’s side, and he observed a place where it might be blocked up so that the Danes could not bring out their ships: and this was done, and two forts were built, one on each side of the river; but while the King was employed on these works, and was encamped by them, the Danes perceiving that they could not remove their ships, deserted them, and marched across the country until they came to Cwat-bridge (Bridgenorth?), on the Severn, and they built a fortress there. Then the King’s troops rode westward after them, and the citizens of London went for the ships and broke up all that they could not remove, and all that were serviceable they brought into London. The Danes had placed their wives in safety in East Anglia before they left their fortress. They remained at Cwat-bridge that winter. This was about three years from the time when they came over the sea into Limine-Mutha.

897.

It was in the summer of this year that the army went away, part to East Anglia and part to Northumberland: and there, those who were without money, got themselves ships, and sailed southward to the Seine. Thanks to God, this army had not entirely ruined the English nation, but in these three years it was much afflicted by a mortality amongst the cattle, and more than all by that amongst men, and many of the most noble of the King’s Thanes died during these three years. Among these were Swithulf Bishop of Rochester, Ceolmund Alderman of Kent, Beorhtulf Alderman of Essex, Wulfred Alderman of Hampshire, Ealheard Bishop of Dorchester, Eadulf the King’s Thane in Sussex, Beornwulf the Town Sheriff of Winchester, Ecgulf the King’s Horse Thane and many others, though I have named these as being the most eminent. The same year the ravagers from East Anglia and Northumberland harassed the country of the West Saxons, particularly on the southern coast, by sudden descents, using the vessels which they had built many years before. Then Alfred caused long ships to be built as a defence against these vessels, and his were twice as long as the others; some had sixty oars and some more; they were both swifter and more steady, and also higher than those of the Danes, and were shaped neither after the Frisian nor the Danish manner, but even as he himself thought they would best befit the service. At one time this year six ships came to Wight, and did much damage there, and in Devon, and all along the coast. The King ordered his people to take nine of the new ships and to blockade them in a certain harbour.[AF]—Then the pirates sailed out against them with three ships, for three lay aground at the head of the bay, and their crews were gone ashore.—The King’s men took two of the three ships at the entrance of the bay, and slew the men in them, and the third escaped, and in this also all but five of the men were killed. But in making towards the other ships, which were set fast, the English also were left aground to their great discomfort, three on that part of the shore where the Danish ships lay, and all the rest on the other side, so that they could not get near each other, and the water had now ebbed many furlongs from the ships. Then the Danes belonging to the three ships came and attacked the three which were left by the tide on their side of the bay, and they fought there, and Lucumon the King’s Sheriff, and Wulfheard and Æbba and Æthelere, Frisians, and Æthelferth the King’s herdsman, were slain, and sixty two men in all, Frisians and English, and 120 Danes. Now the tide came to the Danish ships before the Christians could get theirs off, and they therefore rowed them away; but they were so much damaged, that they were unable to get beyond Sussex before two of them had been driven on shore, and the men were brought to the King at Winchester and he ordered them to be hanged. The rest much wounded, with the remaining ship, reached East Anglia. This year, not less than twenty ships with their whole crews, perished on the southern coast. The same year died the King’s Horse Thane Wulfric, who was also Sheriff of Wales.

898.

This year Æthhelm Alderman of Wiltshire died nine nights before Midsummer. And Heahstan Bishop of London died this year.

901.

This year Alfred the son of Athulf died six nights before the feast of All Saints: He was King over all England, excepting that part of it which was under the dominion of the Danes.—He reigned 28 years and a half, and his son Edward succeeded to the kingdom. Then Edward’s uncle’s son Prince Æthelwald rode to the towns of Winborn and Tweonea (Christ Church) without leave of the King and his Witan, upon which the King went forth with his troops and encamped at Badbury, near Winborn, and Æthelwald with his party was within the town. He had blocked up the gates on the inside, and said that there he would live or die, but yet he stole away by night, and hastened towards the army in Northumberland; the King ordered his troops to pursue him, but they could not outride him, and the others received him as their king, and submitted to him: his wife was seized; he had married her without the King’s leave, and against the Bishop’s command, for she had been professed a nun. Æthered Alderman of Devonshire died the same year, four weeks before King Alfred.

902.

In this year the battle of Holme (near Pevensey) was fought between the men of Kent and the Danes.

903.

This year died the Alderman Athulf the brother of Ealhswitha the mother of King Edward. Virgilius Abbot of the Scots died also; and on the 8th of the ides of July the Priest Grimbald. The same year the new monastery of Winchester was consecrated on the Advent of St. Judoc.

904.

This year Æthelwald came hither from beyond the sea with all the ships he could muster, and the East Saxons submitted to him. This year the moon was eclipsed.

905.

This year Æthelwald induced the army in East Anglia to break the peace, and they ravaged Mercia as far as Crecca-gelade (Cricklade), and they crossed the Thames there, and took all they could meet with in Brædune (Breden forest, Wiltshire), and in the neighbourhood, and then they returned homeward. Then King Edward pursued after them as soon as he could assemble his army, and he laid waste their land between the Dyke (the Devil’s Ditch) and the Ouse, as far northward as the fens. And when he was about to depart thence, he caused it to be proclaimed throughout his army, that all the troops should keep together, but the Kentish men remained behind against his command, though he had sent them seven messages. Then the Danes surrounded them, and they fought, and the Aldermen Siwulf and Sigelm, and the King’s Thane Eadwold, and the Abbot Cenwulf, and Sigebryht the son of Siwulf, and Eadwald the son of Acca, were slain there, and many others; though I have named the most noted. And there fell on the side of the Danes, their King Eohric, and Prince Æthelwald who had persuaded them to the war, and Byrhtsige the son of Prince Beornoth, and the Holds[AG] Ysopa and Oscytel, and a great many others whom we cannot now name. There was much slaughter on either side, but most on that of the Danes, though they kept possession of the field of battle. Ealhswyth died the same year, and a comet appeared.

907.

This year Alfred who was Sheriff of Bath died: and the same year peace was ratified at Yttingaford[AH] with the East Angles and Northumbrians, on the terms which King Edward dictated. This year Lig-ceaster (Chester) was repaired.

909.

This year Denulf Bishop of Winchester died, and the body of St. Oswald was brought from Bardney into Mercia.

910.

This year Frithestan received the Bishoprick of Winchester, and after this Asser Bishop of Sherborn died. And the same year King Edward sent forth an army of West Saxons and Mercians, who greatly harassed the army in the north, and seized many prisoners, and took much plunder of all kinds, and slew many Danes, and they remained five weeks in those parts.

911.

This year the army in Northumberland broke the peace, and set at nought all the conditions which King Edward and his son had prescribed; and they ravaged Mercia. And the King had assembled about an hundred ships, and he was in Kent, and the ships sailed to the south-east along the coast to join him. The heathens believed that the greater part of his forces was in these ships, and that they might therefore go where they would unmolested. When the King heard that they were gone out to plunder, he sent his West Saxon and Mercian troops, and they followed the Danes, and came up with them as they returned homeward, and they attacked them and put them to flight, and killed many thousands. And King Eowils and King Healfden were slain, and the Earl Ohter, and the Earl Scurfa, and the Hold Othulf, and the Hold Benesing, and Anlaf the black, and the Hold Thurferth, and Osferth the collector of tribute, and the Hold Guthferth, and the Hold Agmund, and Guthferth.

912.

This year Æthered Alderman of Mercia died, and King Edward took into his own government the towns of London and Oxford, and all the lands belonging thereto; and this year on the holy eve of the discovery of the sacred cross, Æthelflæd the Lady of Mercia came to Scergeate and built a fortified town there, and in the same year that of Bricge (Bridgenorth).

913.

This year, about Martinmas, King Edward caused the northern town of Hertford to be built, between the Mermera, the Benefica (the Bean), and the Lea. And afterwards, between Rogation week and Midsummer, King Edward went with some of his forces to Malden, and remained there while they built and fortified the town of Witham. And a great part of this country, which had been under the Danish Government, submitted to him. During this time some of his forces built that part of the town of Hertford which is on the south side of the Lea. This year, God permitting, Æthelflæd the Lady of Mercia, went with all the Mercians to Tamworth, and built a fenced town there in the early part of the summer, and before Lammas she built the town of Stafford. And the next year she built Eadesbyrig[AI] in the beginning of the summer, and Warwick towards the end of autumn, and after Christmas the year following she built the fortified town of Cyric-byrig,[AJ] and afterwards that of Weard-byrig,[AK] and again before Christmas that year, that of Rumcofan, (Runkhorn, Cheshire).

916.

This year the guiltless Abbot Ecgbriht was slain before Midsummer, on the 16th of the calends of July, the anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Cyricius and his companions. And about three days afterwards Æthelflæd sent an army into Wales, and took Brecenanmere (Brecknock) and the King’s wife, with some four and thirty others, were made prisoners.

917.

This year, after Easter, the army rode forth from Northampton and Leicester, and they broke the peace and slew many men at Hocneratun (Hognorton) and in the neighbourhood. And as soon as these returned home, another troop was immediately assembled, which rode forth towards Ligtun (Leighton, Bedfordshire), but the inhabitants of that country knew of their coming, and fought with them, and completely routed them, and seized all the plunder which they had amassed, and a great part of their horses and arms.

918.

This year a pirate fleet came over from the south from the land of the Lidwiccas (Britanny), with two Earls Ohtor and Hroald, and they sailed westward and entered the Severn’s mouth, and they plundered the coasts of North Wales wherever they could; and they took Bishop Cameleac, at Ircinga-feld (Archenfield), and led him away to their ships, and King Edward afterwards ransomed him for forty pounds. Then afterwards all the army landed, and would have marched yet again towards Archenfield to plunder, but then the men of Hereford and of Gloucester, and of the nearest towns met them, and fought with them, and put them to flight; and they slew the Earl Hroald, and a brother of the other Earl Ohtor, and they drove the rest into a wood and besieged them there until they gave hostages that they would depart from the dominions of King Edward. The King had taken care to post troops so as to guard the southern coast of the channel from Wales in the west (Cornwall), to the mouth of the Avon eastward, that they might not dare to invade the country on that side. Nevertheless they landed by night at two several times, once east of Weced (Watchet), and again at Portloca (Porlock). And the King’s men repulsed them each time, and few escaped but those alone, who swam to the ships; and these remained in the isle of Bradanrelic (Steepholm?) until they were in great want of of provisions, and many died of hunger because they could not procure any food; then they went to Deomod (South Wales), and thence away to Ireland. And afterwards, the same year, King Edward went to Buckingham with his army, and he remained there four weeks, and built fortifications on each side of the river before he departed thence. And Earl Thurcytel acknowledged him as his Lord, as did all the Holds and chief men of Bedford, and most of those of Northampton. Before Lammas, this year, Æthelflæd the Lady of Mercia, by the help of God won the town of Derby, with all its appurtenances, but four of her most valued Thanes were slain within the gates.

919.

This year, before Martinmas, King Edward went with an army to Bedford, and he gained possession of that town, and almost all the inhabitants who had before been subject to him returned to their obedience; and he remained there four weeks, and he caused the fortifications on the south side of the river to be built before he departed thence.

920.

This year King Edward went to Malden, and repaired and fortified the town before he departed thence. And this year Earl Thurcytel and his adherents went over sea into France, with the permission and aid of King Edward. Early in this year Æthelflæd got possession of Leicester without fighting, and the greater part of the troops of that town became subject to her. Those at York had also engaged to be under her command, some having given pledges to her, and others having taken oaths. And immediately after she had effected this, she died at Tamworth, twelve days before Midsummer, in the eighth year of her governing Mercia with rightful dominion; and her body lieth at Gloucester, in the eastern aisle of St. Peter’s Church. This year also the daughter of Æthered Lord of Mercia was wholly deprived of the government of Mercia, and carried into Wessex, three weeks before Christmas; her name was Hælfwin.

921.

This year, before Easter, King Edward ordered his people to go to Tofeceaster (Towcester), and to build a fortress there. And again this year, in Rogation week, he caused a fortress to be built at Wigingamere (Wigmore). And between Lammas and Midsummer, the troops of Northampton, and of Leicester, and of the country north of these places, broke the peace, and marched to Towcester, and fought all day against the town, and they thought that they should have taken it by storm, but the men who were within defended it until more aid arrived; and then these gave up the attack and departed. Again, very soon afterwards, they went forth by night on a secret expedition, and came unawares, and seized many prisoners and much cattle between Burnewuda (Bernwood forest) and Ægles-byrig (Ailesbury). And at the same time the army of Huntingdon and of East Anglia came, and built the fortress at Temesford (Tempsford), where they fixed themselves, and strengthened the place, deserting their other post of Huntingdon; and they intended to make their excursions from this station, and thought that thus they should again get the greater part of this land into their power. And they went forth until they came to Bedford, but the garrison marched out against them, and fought with them, and put them to flight, and slew a great part of them. Yet after this a great army again assembled from East Anglia and Mercia and proceeded to Wigmore, and they surrounded the place, and fought against it till late in the day, and they seized the cattle in the neighbourhood; nevertheless the garrison defended the town and they gave up the assault and departed. After this, the same summer, a large body of King Edward’s subjects was collected from the towns[AL] nearest Tempsford, and they marched thither and besieged that town, and they fought against it until they took it. And they slew the King and Earl Toglos, and his son Earl Manna, and his brother and all those who would have resisted, and they took captive the remainder, and the town they plundered. And immediately after this, in harvest, a great force was collected out of Kent, out of Surrey, and out of Essex, and out of the towns around on all sides, and they marched to Colchester, and they besieged the town and fought against it until they subdued it, and they seized all that was therein, and they slew all the inhabitants excepting those who escaped over the wall. And during the same autumn a great army was gathered together out of East Anglia, consisting of the land forces, and also of such Vikingar as the others had persuaded to join them; and they thought to satisfy their desire of vengeance. They went to Malden and besieged that town, and they fought there until aid came to the Burghers from without, and then the army left the town and departed. And the townsmen, and those who had arrived to succour them, sallied forth after them, and put them to flight, and slew many hundreds both pirates and others. Immediately after this, during the same autumn, King Edward went to Passenham with the troops of Wessex, and he abode there while his men inclosed Towcester with a stone wall. And Earl Thurferth and the Holds, and all the army at Northampton, and those, of the country northward as far as Weolud (the Welland), came over to him, and acknowledged him as their Lord and protector. And when at the regular time the troops he had with him returned to their homes, others took the field, and these proceeded to Huntingdon, and they repaired the town by King Edward’s orders, and rebuilt that part of it which had been pulled down. And all who remained of the inhabitants of that country gave themselves up to King Edward, and sought his favour and protection. And again the same year, before Martinmas, King Edward went to Colchester with the Wessex troops, and he repaired the town and restored that which had been demolished. And a large body of people in East Anglia and in Essex, who had before been under the Danish dominion, came over to him. And all the army of East Anglia swore to be as one with him; that they would will all that he should will, and that they would keep peace both by sea and land with all whom he should befriend. And the army at Grantanbrycge (Cambridge) separately acknowledged him for their Lord and patron, and confirmed this with oaths even as he had desired. This year King Sihtric slew his brother Niel.

922.

This year, between Rogation week and Midsummer, King Edward went with an army to Stamford, and caused fortifications to be made on the southern side of the river, and the inhabitants of the town on the northern bank submitted to him, and acknowledged him as their Lord.—And whilst he remained at this place, his sister Æthelflæd died at Tamworth, twelve days before Midsummer. And then he rode to the town of Tamworth, and all the people, who had been under the government of Æthelflæd became his subjects: and the Kings of North Wales, Howel and Cledauc and Jeothwel, and all that nation, acknowledged him as their Lord. Thence he went to Nottingham, and he took that town, and caused it to be repaired, and he peopled it with English and Danes. And all the inhabitants of Mercia, both Danes and English, came over to him.

923.

This year, after harvest, King Edward went with an army to Thælwæl (Thelwall), and caused that town to be built and fortified and garrisoned. And whilst he abode there, he commanded another army, raised in Mercia, to go to Manchester, in Northumberland, to repair and garrison that town. This year Archbishop Plegemund died; and King Regnold conquered York.

924.

This year, before Midsummer, King Edward went with an army to Nottingham, and caused a town to be built on the south side of the river, over against the other, with a bridge across the Trent between the two. And thence he went to Badecanwylla (Bakewell), in Peakland, and caused a town to be built and garrisoned in the neighbourhood. And the King of the Scots and all the Scottish nation chose him for their Father and Lord, and thus did Regwnald and the sons of Eadulf, and all the inhabitants of Northumberland, both English and Danes, Northmen and others; also the King of the Strathclyde Britons and all that people.

925.

This year King Edward died at Fearndun (Ferringdon), in Mercia, and very soon afterwards his son Ælfweard died at Oxford, and their bodies rest in Winchester. And Æthestan was chosen King by the Mercians, and he was consecrated at Cingestun (Kingston upon Thames). And St. Duntstan was born, and Wulfhelm received the Archbishoprick of Canterbury.

927.

This year King Æthelstan expelled King Guthfrith, and this year Archbishop Wulfhelm went to Rome.

928.

William succeeded in Normandy, and held the government 15 years.

932.

This year Byrnstan was consecrated Bishop of Winchester, on the 4th of the calends of June, and he held the Bishoprick two years and a half.

933.

This year Bishop Frithestan died; and Prince Ædwine was drowned in the sea.

934.

This year King Athelstan invaded Scotland with an army and a fleet, and he ravaged a great part of the country. And Bishop Byrnstan died at Winchester on All Saint’s day.

935.

This year Bishop Ælfheah received the Bishoprick of Winchester.

938.[AM]

This year King Athelstan the Lord of Earls, the Giver of Bracelets to the Nobles, and his brother Edmund the Atheling, the elder, the survivors of their race, the children of Edward, won lasting glory with the edge of the sword in battle at Brunanburh.[AN] They clave the wooden walls, they hewed down the tall banners, for it was the portion of their lineage, that oft in the field they should defend their lands, their treasures, their homes, against the enemy. The Scot and the Ship-man fell on every side—the din of arms resounded sith the sun in the morning tide rose glad over the earth, greatest of the stars, bright candle of God the Lord Eternal, till the noblest of things created sank in the west. There, struck down with darts, lay many a warrior, Northmen pierced over their shields—Scots the savages of war—The West Saxons, a chosen band, pressed the live-long day upon the hated people. Sternly they smote down the flying multitudes, with swords well sharpened at the stone. The Mercians shrank not from the hard play of hands. Safety there was none for the companions of Anlaf, for those who sought the land for deadly fight over the billowy sea, bosomed in ships.—Five young Kings lay on the battle field, put to sleep by the swords. So also seven Earls of Anlaf, and of the host from the fleet, and of the Scots, more than can be numbered. The King of the Northmen with his little troop fled in his terror to the voice of the ship; the King of the Fleet, with one ship’s crew, living escaped over the yellow deep.

So also the routed Constantine returned a fugitive to his northern hills. The hoary warrior needed not to exult in the conflict of swords.—He was the remnant of his race. His kinsmen were heaped on the field—slain in the battle. He left his son on the place of blood, covered with wounds. Young in war though old in wisdom, the fair-haired youth was staid in his glorying by the bill of slaughter.

Neither could Anlaf and his broken army boast that they were better in works of battle; at the fall of banners, at the meeting of darts, in the conflict of men, in the exchange of weapons, when they had played with the children of Edward in the field of death.

The Northmen, the sorrowful few spared by the darts, departed in their nailed ships over the roaring sea—over the deep waters. They sailed for Dublin, and disgraced their land.

Then the brothers, the King and the Atheling, returned to their country, the West Saxon land. They left behind them the screamers of war, the birds of prey. The sallow kite, and the black raven with the horny beak, and the hoarse-voiced eagle devouring the white flesh, with the battle-hawk, and the grey beast the wolf of the wood. Never in this island had a greater destruction of men been worked by the edge of the sword, say the books of the Wise Elders, since the Saxons and the Angles came hither from the east—to Britain over the broad sea. Since those glorious Earls, who smote the Welch on the anvil of battle, and obtained their lands.

941.

This year King Athelstan died on the 6th of the calends of November, forty-one years all but one day after the death of King Alfred; and the Prince Edmund succeeded to the kingdom. He was then 18 years old; and King Athelstan had reigned 14 years and 10 weeks.

942.

This year King Edmund, the Lord of the English, the protector of his kinsmen, the worker of mighty deeds, conquered all Mercia unto the way of the white spring, and the broad and sea-like stream of the river Humber. Five towns, Leicester, and Lincoln, and Nottingham, Stamford also, and Derby, lay in Danish thraldom, bowed under the power of the Northmen, held in long durance, until the warlike heir of Edward, to his own glory, delivered them from heathen bondage.

King Edmund stood as godfather at the baptism of King Anlaf; and late in the same year he was godfather to King Regenold at his confirmation. This year King Anlaf died. And Richard the Elder succeeded (in Normandy), and reigned 52 years.

944.

This year King Edmund reduced all Northumberland, and drove out two Kings, Anlaf the son of Syhtric and Regenald the son of Guthferth.

945.

This year King Edmund ravaged all Cumberland, and gave it to Malcolm King of the Scots, on condition that he should join forces with him by sea and by land.

946.

This year King Edmund died[AO] on St. Augustine’s day; he had reigned six years and an half, and his brother Prince Edred succeeded to the kingdom. He soon brought all Northumberland into his power, and the Scots took oaths that they would will all that he should will.

949.

This year Anlaf came back to Northumberland.

951.

This year Ælfheah Bishop of Winchester died on St. Gregory’s day.

952.

This year the Northumbrians drove out King Anlaf, and took for their king Yric the son of Harold.

954.

This year the Northumbrians expelled Yric, and King Ædred took to himself the kingdom of Northumberland.

955.

This year King Ædred died in the prime of life on St. Clement’s day; he had reigned nine years and a half: then Edwy the son of King Edmund and of St. Ælgiva, succeeded to the kingdom, and he banished St. Dunstan from the country.

956.

This year Wulstan Archbishop of York died; and this year Prince Edgar received the kingdom of Mercia.

957.

This year King Edwy died on the calends of October, and his brother Edgar took to himself the kingdom of Wessex, as well as Mercia and Northumberland; he was then 16 years old.—There was prosperity in his days, and God gave him to abide in peace so long as he lived, and he, as it beseemed him, strove to merit this favour. He every where exalted the glory of God, and he loved the laws of God, and attended to the peace of the people, more than any King before in the memory of man. And God also shewed him favour, so that Kings and Earls willingly obeyed him, and submitted to that which he desired, and without opposition he ruled all things according to his own pleasure. He was greatly honoured throughout the nation because he willingly gave honour to the name of God, and he often meditated in the law of God, and exalted the glory of God far and wide, and he always took wise counsel for his people before God and before the world. Yet was he guilty of one great sin, in that he loved the vicious habits of foreign nations, and established heathenish customs in this land, and invited hither outlandish and mischievous people: but God grant that his good actions may have outweighed his misdeeds, to the salvation of his soul in the last day. This year he sent for St. Dunstan and gave him the bishoprick of Worcester, and afterwards that of London.

961.

This year the good Archbishop Odo died, and St. Dunstan[AP] received the Archbishoprick of Canterbury. This year the King’s kinsman Ælfgar died in Devon, and his body lieth at Wilton. And King Sigeferth killed himself, and his body resteth at Winborn. And this year there was a great pestilence among men, and a great fever in London, and Paul’s monastery was burned and was rebuilt the same year. This year the priest Athelmod went to Rome, and he died there on the 18th of the calends of September.

963.

This year the Deacon Wulfstan died, on Childermas-day, and after this died Cyric the Priest. The same year the Abbot Athelwold received the Bishoprick of Winchester, and was consecrated on a Sunday, the vigil of St. Andrew. The second year after his consecration be founded many monasteries, and he drove the clergy out of his bishoprick because they would observe no rule, and he placed monks in their room. He founded two abbeys, one for monks, the other for nuns, both in Winchester. Afterwards he went to King Edgar, and desired of him that he would give him all the monasteries which the heathens had destroyed, for that he would restore them; and the King willingly granted his request. And the Bishop came first to Ely, where. St. Ætheldrith lieth, and he caused the monastery to be rebuilt, and he gave it to one of his monks named Brihtnoth. He consecrated him abbot, and he established monks there to serve God, whereas the place was formerly inhabited by nuns, and he bought many small estates of the King, and made it very rich. Afterwards Bishop Athelwold came to the monastery that is called Medeshamstede, which had been destroyed by the heathens, and he found nothing there but old walls and wild woods. He found also hidden in the old wall the records which the abbot Headda had formerly written, how King Wulfhere and his brother Æthelred had built the monastery, and had made it free of the King, of the Bishop, and of all earthly service; and how the Pope Agatho had confirmed this with his rescript, and the Archbishop Deusdedit also. He then caused the monastery to be rebuilt, and he appointed an abbot whose name was Aldulf, and he peopled that place with monks, which was before a wilderness. Then he came to the King, and caused him to look at the writings which had been found, and the King then answered and said, “I King Edgar, before God and in presence of the Archbishop Dunstan, do this day grant to St. Peter’s monastery of Medeshamstede, freedom from subjection to the King and to the Bishop, and do endow it with all these adjoining villages, to wit, Æst-feld (Eastfield), and Dodes-thorp (Dasthorp), and Ege (Eye), and Pastun (Paston). And I so make it free, that no Bishop shall have any authority over it, but the abbot of the monastery alone. And I give the town called Undela (Oundle) with all the land belonging to it, which is called the Eahte hundred, with the markets and tolls, so freely, that neither the King, nor the Bishop, nor the Earl, nor the Sheriff of the county, shall have any power there, neither any man, excepting the abbot alone, and those whom he may appoint thereto. And at the request of Bishop Athelwold, I give these lands to Christ and to St. Peter, to wit, Barwe (Barrow or Berk, Rutland), Wermington (Warmington, Northamptonshire), Æsctun (Ashton, near Oundle?), Kettering, Castra (Castor, Northamptonshire), Egleswurthe (Ailesworth), Walton, Withringtun (Werrington), Ege (Eye), Thorp (near Kettering); and I empower them to have a moneyer at Stamford. And I herewith assign to Christ and to St. Peter the sac and soc, toll and team, and infangentheof, and all other rights attached to the lands, and to others belonging to the monastery. And I give two parts of Witlesmere (Whittleseymere) with the waters, the wears, and the fens, and so on through Merelade unto the river which is called the Nen, and so eastward to Cyngesdælf. And it is my will that a market be held in that town, and that there be no other betwixt Stamford and Huntingdon; and I will, that the toll should be given thus: first, from Witlesmere as far as the King’s toll of Northmannes-cross (Normancross) hundred and again on the other side, from Witlesmere through Merelade unto the Nen, and thence as the water runneth to Croyland, and from Croyland to Must, and from Must to Cyngesdælf and to Witlesmere. And I will that all the exemptions and all the privileges granted by my predecessors stand good and I subscribe to this, and do confirm it with the cross of Christ.” Then Dunstan the Archbishop of Canterbury answered and said, “I confirm all that has been said, and I will that all things which thy predecessors and mine have, granted should stand; and whosoever breaketh this grant, to him give I the curse of God, and of all the saints, and that of every consecrated head, and my curse also, unless he come to repentance I also give to St. Peter my surplice, stole, and vestment for the service of Christ.” “I Oswald Archbishop of York do ratify all these words with the sign of the holy cross on which Christ suffered.” “I Bishop Athelwold bless all who; do observe this, and I excommunicate whomsoever breaketh it, unless he come to repentance.” There were present also the Bishops Ælfstan and Athulf, and the Abbots Escwi and Osgar and Æthelgar, and the Aldermen Ælfere, Æthelwine, Brihtnoth, and Oslac, with many other great men, and they all confirmed this grant, and subscribed thereto the cross of Christ. This was done 972 years after the birth of our Lord, and in the 16th year of the King’s reign. Then the Abbot Aldulf bought many lands, with which he endowed the monastery; and he remained there till the death of Oswald Archbishop of York, on which he was chosen to succeed him. And another Abbot was immediately chosen out of the same monastery; his name was Kenulf, and he was afterwards Bishop of Winchester. He first built the walls round about the monastery, and he gave it the name of Burch, whereas it had before been called Medeshamstede. He remained there until he was nominated Bishop of Winchester, and then another Abbot, whose name was Ælfsi, was chosen out of the same monastery. This Ælfsi was Abbot there fifty years; he took up St. Kyneburh and St. Kynesvith who lay at Castra (Castor), and St. Tibba, who was buried at Rihala (Ryal or Ryehall, Rutland), and he presented all these relics to St. Peter in one day, and he kept them whilst he remained there.

964.

This year King Edgar drove the priests of Winchester out of the old monastery, and out of the new also, and out of Ceortesige (Chertsey), and out of Middel-tun (Milton Abbey, Dorsetshire), and placed monks in their room. And he made Æthelgar Abbot of the new monastery, and Ordbryht Abbot of Chertsey, and Cyneweard of Milton.

966.

This year Thored the son of Gunner ravaged Westmoreland: and the same year Oslac received the office of Alderman.

969.

This year King Edgar caused all Thanet to be laid waste.

970.

This year died Archbishop Oskytel. He was first consecrated to the Bishoprick of Dorchester, and was afterwards translated to the see of York, with the sanction of King Edred and all his Witan. He was Bishop 22 years, and he died at Tame on All Saints’ night, ten nights before Martinmas; and his kinsman the Abbot Thurkytel carried the Bishop’s body to Bedford, for he was Abbot there at that time.

971.

This year Prince Edmund died, and he was buried at Rumsige (Rumsey).

973.

This year Edgar the ruler of the English was consecrated as King with great pomp in the ancient town of Acemannes-ceaster, which the inhabitants also call Bath. There was much joy among all the sons of men on that blessed day, called the day of Pentecost. There was a multitude of priests, and a great throng of monks, wise men in my mind, gathered together. At that time ten hundred years were reckoned to have passed away since the birth of the King of glory, the Keeper of Light, excepting only, that, as writers say, twenty-seven winters were wanting thereto. So nearly was the thousandth year of our conquering Lord completed when this event took place. And the son of Edmund, the man of mighty deeds, had then been nine and twenty years in the world, and in his thirtieth year he was a King, and consecrated.

And soon afterwards the King led all his fleet to Chester; and six Kings met him there, and promised faithfully that they would aid him by sea and by land.

975.

This year Edgar, King of the English, ended his earthly joys; he chose for himself another light, beautiful and pleasant, and gave up this worthless life, which the children of the people, the men of dust, confess to be so vain. It was in that month which every where in this country is called July by those who have been rightly instructed in the art of numbers, and on the 18th day of the month, that the young Edgar, the giver of bracelets to the valiant, departed this life. And then his son, a child not full-grown, succeeded to the kingdom: he was the ruler of Earls, and his name was Edward—a prince most excellent. Ten days before this Britain lost Cyneweard, that good and kindly Bishop. At that time, to my mind, the glory of the Supreme governor was trampled on throughout Mercia, many of God’s wise servants were driven away, and this was a great sorrow to those who bore in their hearts and minds an ardent love of their Creator. Then indeed was the author of miracles set at nought, he who is the disposer of victory, and the law-giver of heaven, when men violated his right. And then also that beloved chieftain Oslac was driven from the land, and that long-haired warrior, wise and discreet in words, was borne, bereaved of an home, on the rolling waves, on the sea bird’s bath, on the roaring waters, over the country of the whales. And then a star appeared in the sky, above in the firmament, which strong-minded men, of deep learning, skilful men, and wise soothsayers, universally call a comet. The vengeance of the Almighty was upon the nation, and a dire famine in the country. But this again, the ruler of Heaven, the Lord of the angels, removed, and gave bliss to every inhabitant through the fruitfulness of the earth.

This year the Alderman Ælfere caused the monks to be turned out of very many monasteries which the holy Bishop Athelwold had established by the command of King Edgar. This year the great Earl Oslac was driven from England.

976.

This year there was a great famine in England.

977.

This year a great meeting was held after Easter at Kyntlingtun (Kirtlington?), and there Bishop Sideman died suddenly on the 2d of the calends of May. He was Bishop of Devonshire, and he willed that his body’s resting place should be at his metropolitan see of Cridiantun (Crediton). Then King Edward and Archbishop Dunstan commanded that he should be carried to St. Mary’s monastery of Abbandun (Abingdon); this was done, and he was honourably buried in the north side of St. Peter’s aisle.

978.

This year all the chief of the Witan of the English nation fell from an upper floor at Calne, excepting the holy Archbishop Dunstan alone, who stood upon a beam, and some had their bones broken, and others escaped not with their lives. This year King Edward was slain at Corfes-geat (Corfe Castle), in the evening of the 15th of the calends of April, and he was buried at Wareham without any royal honours. No worse deed than this had been committed amongst the people of the Angles since they first came to the land of Britain. Men murdered him, but God gave him glory. In his life he was an earthly King, but now after his death he is a Saint in heaven. His mortal kinsmen would not avenge him, but his heavenly Father hath avenged him greatly. His earthly murderers would have blotted out his memory from the world, but the avenger who is above hath widely extended his fame in heaven and earth: and whereas they formerly would not bow down before his living body, now they piteously bend their knees to his dead bones. We may gather hence, that the wisdom of men, their devices and counsels, avail nothing against the purposes of God. And the same year his brother Prince Æthelred took to himself the kingdom, and was consecrated very soon afterwards at Cyninges-tun (Kingston), with great rejoicing of the Witan of the English nation.

980.

This year St. Dunstan and the Alderman Ælfhere fetched the body of the holy King St. Edward from Wareham, and brought it with great pomp to Shaftesbury.

981.

This year seven ships first came and plundered Southampton.

983.

This year the Alderman Ælfhere died and Ælfric succeeded to his office.

984.

This year died the good Bishop Athelwold, the father of monks: and the consecration of his successor Ælfheah, who was also called Godwin, took place on the 14th of the calends of November, and he was installed at Winchester on the feast of the two Apostles Simon and Jude. And this year Eadwine was consecrated Abbot of Abingdon.

985.

This year the Alderman Ælfric was banished.

986.

This year the King laid waste the Bishoprick of Rochester, and this year the great distemper among the cattle first afflicted the English nation.

987.

This year Weced-port (Watchet) was plundered.

988.

This year the Danish Thane Goda was killed, and many with him. And this year the holy Archbishop Dunstan gave up this life, and entered upon that of heaven; and Bishop Æthelgar succeeded him in the Archbishoprick, and he lived but a short time afterwards, only one year and three months.

989.

This year the Abbot Ædwine died, and Wulfgar succeeded him. And Siric was consecrated Archbishop, and he afterwards went to Rome for his pall.

991.

This year Ipswich was plundered, and very soon afterwards the Alderman Brihtnoth was slain at Maiden. And the same year it was first proposed that a tribute should be paid to the Danes, because of the great terror in which they kept the coasts. This tribute was at first ten thousand pounds: it was Archbishop Siric who gave this as his counsel.

992.

This year the blessed Archbishop Oswald departed this life, and entered upon that of heaven; and the Alderman Æthelwine died the same year. Then the King and his Witan determined that all the ships which were fit for service should be assembled at London; and the King put this fleet under the command of the Alderman Ealfric, and of the Earl Thorode, and of the Bishops Ælfstane and Æscwig, and they were ordered to endeavour to surprise and block up the Danes. Then the Alderman Ælfric sent and warned them; and in the night preceding the day on which an engagement would have taken place, he himself left his fleet, to his exceeding dishonour, and the enemy escaped, excepting one ship, which was destroyed. And then they met the ships of East Anglia and of London, and there they made a great slaughter, and they took the ship in which the Alderman sailed, and which was well manned and fitted out.

Upon the death of Archbishop Oswald, Ealdulf Abbot of Peterborough was raised to the Bishoprick of York and Worcester, and Kenulf to the Abbacy of Peterborough.

993.

This, year Anlaf came to Staines with 93 ships, and plundered that part of the country; and he went thence to Sandwich, and so on to Ipswich, and laid all waste, and thus he proceeded to Malden. And then the Alderman Byrhtnoth came against him, and their armies fought, but the Alderman was slain, and Anlaf’s army kept possession of the field of battle, and peace was made with him, and the King afterwards stood godfather at his confirmation, by the advice of Siric Bishop of Canterbury and of Ælfeag of Winchester. This year Bamborough was destroyed, and much plunder was seized there. And after this the Army came to the mouth of the Humber, and did great damage in Lindsey and in Northumberland. Then a great number of troops were gathered together, but when they were about to engage in battle, their leaders first betook themselves to flight. These were Fræna, and Godwin, and Frithegist. The same year the King put out the eyes of Ælfgar the son of the Alderman Ælfric.

994.

This year Archbishop Sigeric died, and Ælfric Bishop of Wiltshire was chosen as his successor by King Æthelred and his Witan, at Ambresbyri (Amesbury), on Easter-day. This year Anlaf and Swegen came to London on the nativity of St. Mary, with 94 ships, and they attacked the city vigorously, and they also attempted to burn it with fire, but they suffered more loss and injury than they could ever have looked for from any townsmen, for the holy Mother of God in her mercy manifested herself to the inhabitants, and delivered them from their enemies. And then these departed, and did as much damage as any army might, burning, plundering, and slaying, along the coasts of Essex, of Kent, of Sussex, and of Hampshire. And at length they took horses and rode far and wide wherever they would, and they did unspeakable mischief. Then the King and his Witan determined to send to them and offer them tribute and a supply of provisions, on condition that they would abstain from plundering. This they accepted, and all the army came to Southampton, and there they took up their winter quarters, and all the kingdom of Wessex provided food for them, and sixteen thousand pounds were paid to them. Then the King sent the Bishop Ælfeach and the Alderman Æthelward for King Anlaf, and hostages were left in the ships, while they brought him with much pomp to the King at Andover; and King Æthelred stood godfather at his confirmation, and gave him royal presents. And Anlaf made him then a promise, which he also fulfilled, that he would never again come with hostile designs against the English nation.

“This year Richard the elder died, and his son Richard succeeded him, and reigned 31 years” (in Normandy).

995.

This year a comet appeared.

997.

This year the Army sailed round Devonshire into the mouth of the Severn, and plundered in Cornwall, Wales, and Devon; and they landed at Watchet, and did much damage there, burning and slaying. And after this they sailed southward, and round Penwiht-steort (the Land’s end), and they entered the mouth of the Thamar, and proceeded up that river until they came to Lydeford, and they burned and slew all before them; and they burned Ordulf’s monastery at Ætefingstoce (Tavistock), and carried innumerable spoils to their ships. This year Archbishop Ælfric went to Rome for his pall.

998.

This year the Army again turned eastward into the mouth of the Frome, and they made inroads upon Dorsetshire as far as they would on either side. And troops were often gathered together against them, but whenever they were about to engage, from some cause or other, a flight constantly took place, and the enemy always obtained the victory in the end. At another time they lay off the Isle of Wight, and supplied themselves with provisions from Hampshire and Sussex.

999.

This year the Army again sailed round into the Thames, and came up the Medway as far as Rochester. And the Kentish troops marched against them, and fought with them bravely: but too soon, alas! they gave way and fled, because they had not the support which they ought to have had. Then the Danes kept possession of the field of battle, and having seized horses they rode far and wide wherever they chose, and they plundered and laid waste nearly all the western part of Kent. Then the King with his Witan resolved that both a fleet and an army should be sent against them; but when the ships were ready, they delayed them from day to day, and oppressed the miserable people who served in them. And whenever the ships were going to sail, they were always stopped from time to time, and they allowed the enemy’s forces to increase continually, and whenever these retired from the coast, they then went forth after them. In the end this fleet served no purpose, but to weary the men, to waste money, and to encourage the enemy.

1000.

This year the King went into Cumberland and laid waste nearly the whole of it; and his ships attempted to get round Chester, and were to have met him, but they were not able; then they plundered Mænige (Anglesey). And the enemy’s fleet sailed this summer to the dominions of Richard.

1001.

This year the peace of England was much disturbed by the pirates, who plundered and burned in all parts; and thus they proceeded in one course until they came to Æthelinga-dene (Alton), and there the men of Hampshire met them, and fought with them. And the King’s High Sheriff Ethelweard was killed there, and Leofric of Whitechurch, and Leofwine the King’s High Sheriff, and Wulfhere the Bishop’s Thane, and Godwin of Weorthig (Worthing?) the son of Bishop Ælfsig, and there fell 81 men in all. And many more were slain on the part of the Danes, although they kept possession of the field of battle. And thence they proceeded northward until they came into Devon, and there Pallig joined them with all the ships that he could collect, for he had deserted from King Ethelred after all the assurances of fidelity which he had given him, and although the King had been very bountiful to him, in gifts of houses, of gold, and of silver. And they burned Tegnton (Teynton), and many other good villages which we cannot name, and afterwards the people of that country made a treaty with them; and they departed thence to Exmouth, and so they went on in one course until they came to Peonnho (Pen), and there Cola the King’s High Sheriff, and Eadsige the King’s Sheriff, came against them with the troops which they had gathered together, but they were put to flight and many were slain, and the Danes kept possession of the field of battle. And the next morning they burned the villages of Pen and of Clifton, and many good villages besides which we cannot name. And then they proceeded eastward until they arrived at Wight, and in the morning they there burned the village of Wealtham and many other hamlets, and the inhabitants soon treated with them and obtained peace.

1002.

This year the King and his Witan again resolved to give tribute to the fleet, and to negociate a peace with them, on condition that they would cease from doing mischief. Then the King sent the Alderman Leofsig to the fleet, and there he set forth the King’s words, and the peace proposed by the Witan, that they should receive provisions and tribute; and they accepted these terms, on which twenty-four thousand pounds were paid to them. At this time the Alderman Leofsig slew the King’s High Sheriff Æfic, and the King banished him from the country. And during the same Lent, the Lady the daughter of Richard, came to this land. In the summer of the same year Archbishop Eadulf (Ealdulf) died: and this year also the King gave command that all the Danes in England should be slain on St. Brice’s day, because it had been reported to him that they had a design to murder him first, and then all his Witan, and thereupon to possess his kingdom without opposition.

1003.

This year Exeter was taken through the ill conduct of the French churl Hugo, whom the Lady had placed there as her Sheriff; and the Army entirely destroyed the town, and seized much plunder. Then a large number of troops was gathered together from Wiltshire and Hampshire, and they marched against the Army with great readiness; and the Alderman Ælfric should have led these troops, but he practised his former wiles, for as soon as they were so near that either array might behold the other, he gave out that he was ill, and feigned sickness, and thus deceived the troops whom he ought to have headed, even as it is said—“When the General sickeneth, then the whole army is sorely hindered.” When Swegn saw that they were not unanimous and that they all began to return, he led his army to Wilton, and plundered and burned that town, and thence they proceeded to Salisbury, and thence to the coast again, and thither he carried their provender to his horses of the sea.[AQ]

1004.

This year Swegn came with his fleet to Norwich, and plundered and burned the whole town. Then Ulfkytel with the Witan of East Anglia concluded that it was better to buy a peace of that army before they did much harm in the country; for the enemy had come upon him unawares, neither had he time to collect his troops; but in the time of truce the Danes stole up from the ships and directed their course to Thetford. When Ulfkytel heard this, he sent desiring that the ships might be hewn in pieces, but this order was neglected. He himself assembled troops secretly, as speedily as he might. And the invaders came to Thetford within three weeks from the time that they first plundered Norwich, and they remained one night in that town, and then plundered and burned it. Then in the morning when they would have returned to their ships, Ulfkytel came up with his troops, and they engaged in battle with fury, and the slaughter was great on either side. The prime of East Anglia fell there, but if all their forces had been collected, the Danes, as they acknowledged, would never have returned to their ships.

1005.

This year died Archbishop Ælfric, and Bishop Ælfeah succeeded him in the Archbishoprick. This year there was a great famine in England, such as men never before remembered, it was so dreadful. And this year the fleet sailed from this country to Denmark, but returned again in a very short time.

1006.

This year Ælfehg was consecrated Archbishop; and Bishop Brihtwold received the bishoprick of Wiltshire (Sherborn). And Wulfgeate was deprived of all his honours, and Wulfeah and Ufegeat were blinded, and the Alderman Ælfelm was slain, and Bishop Kenulf died. Then after Midsummer the Danish fleet came to Sandwich and did all as they were wont, plundering, burning, and slaying wherever they went. Then the King caused all the West Saxons and Mercians to be called out, and they kept the field against the Army all the autumn, yet this was of no more avail than many times before, but for all this the Army went where it would, and this campaign did the inhabitants more injury than they had ever before suffered from any force, native or foreign. And in the beginning of winter the troops returned home, and the enemy came after Martinmas to their safe quarters in Wight, and thence they procured for themselves whatever they wanted from all parts. At mid-winter they went forth to get supplies, and marched through Hampshire into Berkshire, and they proceeded as far as Reading, and they did as they were wont and lighted their beacons wherever they came. And thence they marched to Wallingford and entirely destroyed that town, and passing by Æsces-dune (Aston) they made for Cwichelmes-hlæwe (Cuckamsley-hill), so that they never approached the sea, but returned homeward the other way. Then the troops of the country were assembled at Cynetan (Kennet), and there they engaged in battle, and forthwith the enemy put these troops to flight, and afterwards carried their spoils to the sea. Then might the inhabitants of Winchester see that proud and fearless Army marching past their very gates carrying with them to the sea provisions and treasures from a distance of above fifty miles. The King had crossed the Thames into Shropshire, and there he kept the feast of Christmas. Then the dread of the Army became so great, that none could think or imagine how they might be expelled from the country, or how this land might be defended against them, for they had grievously defaced every shire of Wessex with burning and devastation. The King began anxiously to enquire of his Witan what measures they all thought advisable to be taken for the preservation of this land before it was entirely ruined. Then the King and his Witan agreed, that, for the good of the people, they must pay tribute, though they were all unwilling so to do. Then the King sent to the Army, and caused it to be told them that he desired that there should be peace between them and him, and that tribute and provisions should be delivered to them; and they all accepted these conditions, and they were supported by the whole English nation.

1007.

This year the tribute was paid to the Army; it was thirty thousand pounds; and this year also Ædric was appointed Alderman over all the kingdom of Mercia.

1008.

This year the King commanded that ships should be built and fitted out with diligence throughout England, at this assessment, one vessel from every 310 hides of land, and from eight hides a helmet and a breast-plate.

1009.

This year the ships were ready of which we have before spoken, and inasmuch as we learn from books, so many were never constructed by the English nation in any King’s days; and they were all collected at Sandwich, that they might lie off that port, and defend this land from every foreigner. But yet the country had neither the fortune nor honour to profit more by this fleet than by former armaments.

It was at this time, or a little earlier, that Brihtric the brother of the Alderman Edric accused Childe Wulfnoth the South Saxon the father of Earl Godwin before the King; on which Wulfnoth departed, and got together twenty ships, and plundered the whole southern coast, and did all manner of evil. Then it was said in the fleet that Wulfnoth might easily be taken if the attempt were made, on which Brihtric went forth with eighty ships, and he thought that he should gain great fame, and that he should bring back Wulfnoth alive or dead. But as they were proceeding in search of him, such a wind arose against them as had never been remembered, and the ships were beaten about and dispersed and driven ashore; and Wulfnoth immediately came and burned them. When it was known in the remainder of the fleet where the King was, how the other ships had fared, it seemed as if all plan and conduct were lost, and the King, with the Aldermen and High-Witan, returned home; thus lightly did they leave their ships, and the people who were in them rowed them back to London. And in this manner they caused the effort of the whole nation to fail, and the dread of the enemy was in no wise lessened, as all the English people had hoped. When the fleet was thus broken up, there came an immense army of the enemy to Sandwich soon after Lammas, and forthwith they went their way to Canterbury, and would speedily have stormed the town, had not the inhabitants with greater speed begged for peace, and all the men of East Kent made a peace with that army, for which they gave three thousand pounds. And soon after this the army sailed round as far as Wight, and they plundered and burned there as was their wont, and also in Sussex, in Hampshire, and in Berkshire. Then the King ordered all the nation to arms, that every quarter might be defended against them; nevertheless they went wherever they would. At one time the King with all the troops which he had collected, had intercepted them as they were returning to their ships, but when all his people were ready to fall upon them, the attack was prevented as usual by the Alderman Ædric. Then after Martinmas the army returned into Kent, and took up their winter quarters on the Thames, and lived upon Essex and upon the neighbouring counties on each side of that river; and they frequently attacked London, but, God be praised, the town yet stands in safety: for they ever failed in their attempts against it. And after Christmas they set out on an expedition through Chiltern, and so to Oxford, and they burned that town, and they plundered on each side of the Thames in returning towards the ships. But when they were warned that troops were assembled at London to oppose them, they passed over at Staines: thus they went on all the winter, and they were in Kent during Lent and repaired their ships.

1010.

This year, after Easter, the aforesaid Army invaded the Angles; they landed at Ipswich and marched straight forward to the place where, as they had heard, Ulfcytel was with his troops. This was on the morning of Ascension-day, and the East Anglians soon took to flight, but the men of Cambridgeshire stood their ground firmly. The King’s son in law Æthelstan was slain there, and Oswi and his sons, and Wulfric the son of Leofwin, and Eadwig the brother of Æfic, and many other good Thanes, and more than can be numbered of the common people. Thurcytel Myranheafod began the flight, and the Danes kept possession of the field of battle, and there they obtained horses; and after this they were masters of East Anglia, and they continued to burn and plunder that country for the space of three months, and they even penetrated into the wild fens, and slew both men and cattle, and they set all on fire, and they burned the towns of Thetford and Cambridge; and then they returned southward to the Thames, the cavalry keeping up with the ships; and very soon they set forth again, and proceeded westward into Oxfordshire, and thence into Buckinghamshire, and so along the Ouse until they came to Bedford, and thus on to Tempsford, burning wherever they went; and then they returned to their fleet with their plunder, and divided it amongst the ships. And when the English troops ought to have taken the field to repel the invaders they departed home, and when the enemy was in the east these were kept in the west, and when they were in the south our troops were in the north. Then all the Witan were summoned to the King, to consult how this land might be defended, but yet they persevered not for one month in any of the plans determined on; and at length there was no leader who would gather the troops together, but every man fled as best he might, nor indeed would any county unite with another. Then before St. Andrew’s day the Army came to Northampton, and forthwith burned that city, and they seized all that they would in those parts, and thence they crossed the Thames into Wessex, and so along the Caningan marshes (Cannington, Somersetshire?) and they set all on fire, and having gone as far as they would for that time, they returned to their ships at Christmas.

1011.

This year the King and his Witan sent to the Army, and desired peace, promising tribute and supplies of provision, on condition that they should cease from plundering. At this time they had overrun the following districts: 1st, East Anglia; 2dly, Essex; 3dly, Middlesex; 4thly, Oxfordshire; 5thly, Cambridgeshire; 6thly, Hertfordshire; 7thly, Buckinghamshire; 8thly, Bedfordshire; 9thly, half of Huntingdonshire; and 10thly, south of the Thames, all Kent, and Sussex, and Hastings, and Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, and great part of Wiltshire. All these calamities befel us through ill-advisedness, because tribute was not offered them sufficiently soon; but when they had done all possible mischief, we then compounded with them for peace and quietness. Yet notwithstanding this treaty and tribute, they went not forth the less frequently in every direction, marching in separate divisions, and carrying off or slaying our miserable countrymen. And this year, between the nativity of St. Mary and Michaelmas, they besieged Canterbury, and gained an entrance through treachery, for Ælmær, whose life had been saved by Archbishop Ælfeah, betrayed the town to them. And they seized the Archbishop Ælfeah; and Ælfword the King’s sheriff, and the Abbot Leofwine, and Bishop Godwin, but they let the Abbot Ælmær depart; and they took captive all the consecrated persons men and women, none could say how great was the number of prisoners, and they remained in the town as long as they would, and when they had ransacked it thoroughly, they returned to their ships carrying the Archbishop with them. He who erewhile was the chiefest of the English nation, and of its religion, was now a prisoner; and now might men behold that wretched city the abode of misery, wherein had been fullness of joy; and from whence Christianity and blessedness had been first sent forth to us, before God, and before the world. And they kept the Archbishop with them until the time that they martyred him.

1012.

This year the Alderman Eadric and all the chief of the Witan of the English nation, clergy and laity, came to London before Easter day, which fell on the 13th of April, and they remained there after Easter, until all the tribute was paid, it was 8000 pounds. Then on the Saturday the Army was greatly exasperated against the Archbishop, because he would not promise them money, but forbade others to give them any thing on his behalf; they were also very drunken, for wine was brought to them from the south; then they took the Archbishop and led him to their hustings on the eve of Sunday the octave of Easter day, and there they pelted him with the bones and skulls of cattle, and at length one of them struck him upon the head with an iron axe, so that he dropped down from the blow. And his sacred blood was spilled upon the earth but his holy soul departed to the kingdom of God. And in the morning the Bishops Eadnoth and Ælfhun and the townsmen took his holy body and carried it to London with all reverence and buried it in St. Paul’s Minster where God yet maketh manifest the power of the blessed martyr. When the tribute had been paid, and the oaths of peace were sworn, the Army again dispersed itself widely, as it had been gathered together from various parts. And 45 of their ships entered into the King’s service, and promised him that they would defend this country, on condition that he should feed and clothe them.

1013.

The year after that in which Archbishop Ælfeg was martyred, the King appointed Bishop Lifing to the see of Canterbury. And the same year before the month of August King Swegn arrived with his fleet at Sandwich, and he coasted very rapidly round East Anglia and entered the mouth of the Humber, and so proceeded up the Trent until he came to Gainsborough. And in a short time Earl Uhtred and all Northumberland and the people of Lindsey submitted to him, and afterwards the inhabitants of the five towns[AR] did likewise, and very soon after this all the forces north of Watling-street submitted also, and hostages were given him from each county. When he found that all the people were subject to him he commanded that they should supply his army with horses and provisions, and he then proceeded southward with a large force, leaving the charge of his ships and hostages to his son Cnut. And when they had passed Watling-street, they did as much evil as any army might; he marched to Oxford, and the town immediately surrendered and gave hostages; thence he went to Winchester, and the inhabitants of that place did the same; thence he turned eastward towards London, and many of his soldiers were drowned in the Thames, not looking out for a bridge. And when he came to the city the inhabitants would not surrender, but they held out against him and fought bravely, for King Æthelred was there, and Thurkil with him. Then King Swegn departed thence to Wallingford, and so over the Thames westward to Bath, and he rested there with his army. And the Alderman Æthelmer came thither, and all the western Thanes with him, and they submitted themselves to King Swegn, and gave hostages. And having thus conquered the country, he returned to his ships in the north, and all the people fully received and acknowledged him as their true King. And after this the men of London submitted to him and gave hostages, for they feared lest he should utterly ruin them. Then Swegn exacted an immense tribute, and provision for his army during that winter; and Thurcyl demanded the same for the army at Greenwich; and besides this they plundered as often as they would, to the great injury of this people both in the south and in the north. The King remained a little while with the fleet in the Thames, and the Lady went over sea to her brother Richard, and Ælsige Abbot of Peterborough with her. And the King sent Bishop Ælfun over sea with the Æthelings Edward and Alfred, that he might take care of them. And the King went from the fleet to Wight at Christmas, and he remained there during that festival; and then he departed over sea to Richard, and he abode with him till Swegn was dead. Whilst the Lady was beyond sea with her brother, Ælfsige Abbot of Peterborough who was with her, went to a monastery called Bonneval, where the body of Saint Florentinus lay. He found the place, and the Abbot, and the monks in a condition of great misery, for they had been plundered; and he bought of the Abbot and the monks the whole of the remains of Saint Florentinus, excepting his head, for five hundred pounds; and when he returned home he presented them to Christ and to Saint Peter.