Chapter IV: Front Matter (4)

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.

1014.

This year King Swegn ended his days at Candlemas, on the 3d of the nones of February, and the fleet chose Cnut as King. Then all the Witan of the English nation, clergy and laity, determined that they would send to King Æthelred, and they assured him that no one was dearer to them than their natural Lord, if he would govern them more righteously than he did before. So the King sent his son Edward hither with his deputies, and commanded him to greet all his people, and said that he would be their faithful Lord, and that he would amend all that had been complained of, and all that had been done or said against himself should be forgiven, if they would return to him with one consent and without guile. And confidence was fully established by words, deeds, and pledges, on either side, and they outlawed for ever any Danish King of England. In Lent King Æthelred came home to his own people, and he was gladly received by them all.

After the death of Swegn, Cnut and his army remained at Gainsborough till Easter, and it was agreed between him and the men of Lindsey that the latter should furnish him with horses, and that afterwards they should all go forth together and plunder. Then King Æthelred with all his troops marched into Lindsey before they were prepared to oppose him, and he plundered and burned, and he slew all the people that he found; but Cnut the son of Swegn sailed away with his fleet, and thus were these miserable people betrayed by him, and he steered southward till he came to Sandwich, and there he set on shore the hostages that had been delivered to his father, and he cut off their hands and noses. And besides all these evils, the King ordered twenty-one thousand pounds to be paid to the army at Greenwich. And on the eve of Michaelmas-day this year was that great inundation of the sea over a wide extent of this land, which came up farther than was ever known before, and overwhelmed many towns and an immense number of persons.

1015.

This year there was a great meeting (of the Witan) at Oxford, and the Alderman Eadric betrayed Sigeferth and Morcær the chief Thanes of the seven towns,[AS] for he enticed them to his lodging, and there they were basely murdered. And the King seized all their possessions, and commanded that the widow of Sigeferth should be taken and carried to Malmesbury. And a short time afterwards Prince Edmund went thither and took her for his wife without the King’s consent. Then before the feast of the nativity of St. Mary the Prince went northward to the five towns, and he forthwith attacked the Heritage of Sigeferth and Morcær, and all the people submitted to him. And at the same time Cnut came to Sandwich, and he immediately sailed round Kent and along the coast of Wessex till he came to the mouth of the Frome, and he plundered in Dorset, Wiltshire and Somersetshire. At that time King Æthelred lay sick at Cosham. And the Alderman Edric assembled an army and Prince Edmund also raised troops in the north, and when they joined forces the Alderman would have betrayed the Prince, but he was not able to do this, therefore they parted, and gave place to the enemy without fighting. And then the Alderman Edric drew off 40 ships from the King’s party and went over to Cnut. And the West Saxons also submitted to Cnut and gave hostages, and furnished his army with horses, and he remained there until Christmas.

1016.

This year Cnut crossed the Thames into Mercia at Cricklade with the forces of 160 ships, and the Alderman Eadric was with him. And they invaded Warwickshire at Christmas, and there they plundered and burned, and they slew all that they found. Then the Ætheling Edmund began to gather troops together, but when they were assembled they refused to serve unless the King were present, and they had also a reinforcement from the citizens of London: and thus they set aside the expedition, and every man departed to his home. After Christmas troops were again levied, under a heavy penalty, that even those who were at a distance must come forth; and a message was sent to the King at London, and he was desired to meet this Army with all the force that he could muster: but this effort availed not more than the many former attempts, for when they were all assembled it was told the King that some[AT] who ought to support him would betray him, on which the Army was broken up and he returned to London. Then Prince Edmund rode to Northumberland to Earl Uhtred, and all men thought that they would raise an army to oppose King Cnut; but they marched into Staffordshire, and to Shrewsbury, and to Chester, and they plundered on their side of the country, while Cnut did the same on his. For he proceeded through Buckinghamshire into Bedfordshire, and thence into Huntingdonshire, and along the fens to Stamford, and then into Lincolnshire, thence into Nottinghamshire, and then into Northumberland and towards York. And when Uhtred heard this he left off plundering and hastened northward, and he yielded to necessity and all Northumberland with him, and he gave hostages, but nevertheless he was slain and Thurcytel the son of Nafana with him. And after this Cnut appointed Yric Earl of Northumberland in like manner as Uhtred had been. And then he returned southward another way by the west; and thus the whole army came to the ships before Easter. And Prince Edmund went to his father at London. And after Easter King Cnut sailed towards London with all his ships, but King Æthelred was dead before they arrived there. He died on St. George’s day, after a life of much trouble and sorrow. After his death all of the Witan who were in London and the citizens chose Edmund, for their King, and he valiantly defended his kingdom during his whole life. Then the ships came to Greenwich in Rogation week, and in a little while they proceeded to London; they dug a great ditch on the south side of the town and drew up their ships west of the bridge, and they beset the town so that none could go in or out. And they attacked the city several times, but the inhabitants withstood them resolutely.

And before this, King Edmund had gone forth, and he marched into Wessex, and all the people submitted to him, and soon after that, he fought with the Army at Pen, near Gillingham. And he fought another battle after Midsummer, at Sceorstan,[AU] and there many fell on either side, and the armies separated of their own accord.--The Alderman Eadric, and Ælmær the Beloved, were with the Danes against King Edmund.--And then he raised an army for the third time, and marched to London and rescued the inhabitants, and he drove their enemies to the ships. And within two days he crossed the river at Brentford and fought with the Army, and put it to flight, but many of the English were drowned through their own heedlessness, because they had hastened before the main body, being greedy of plunder. And after this the King went into Wessex and assembled troops, and the Army marched to London and encamped round about the town, and they attacked it vigorously by water and by land, but Almighty God delivered it; and they navigated their ships from London into the Arwan (the Arrow), and they landed and went up into Mercia, slaying and plundering all before them as was their wont, and they supplied themselves with provisions and conveyed their ships and cattle to the Medway. Then King Edmund assembled all the English people for the fourth time, and crossed the Thames at Brentford and marched into Kent, and the Danes fled before him with their horses into Sheppey, and the King slew all whom he could overtake; and at Aylesford the Alderman Eadric turned the King from the pursuit: more treacherous advice than this never was given. The Army went up again into Essex, and thence into Mercia, destroying all things wherever they came. And when the King knew that they were on their march, he assembled all the English troops for the fifth time, and followed after them, and he came up with them in Essex, at the place called Assandun,[AV] and there they fought furiously.--But the Alderman Eadric acted as he had often done before; he was the first to take to flight with the Magesætas (men of Radnorshire), and thus he betrayed his natural Lord and all the people. There Cnut gained the victory, though all England fought against him. And Eadnoth[AW] and the Abbot Wulsige were slain there, and the Alderman Ælfric, and the Alderman Godwin, and Ulfcytel of East Anglia, and Æthelward the son of the Alderman Æthelsig, and all the prime of the English nobility. After this battle King Cnut marched his army into Gloucestershire, having heard that King Edmund was in that quarter. Then the Alderman Eadric and those of the Witan who were there, advised that the Kings should make peace between themselves, and the Kings met at Olan-ige (Alney), and there they confirmed their alliance by pledges and oaths; and they agreed upon the tribute for the Army. And when this treaty was concluded they separated; King Edmund going into Wessex, and Cnut into Mercia. The Army returned to their ships with the spoil which they had gained, and the men of London treated with them, and bought peace, and the Danes brought their ships into London, and there they took up their winter quarters. Then on St. Andrew’s day, King Edmund died, and he was buried with his grandfather Edgar at Glastonbury. And the same year Wulfgar Abbot of Abingdon died, and he was succeeded by Æthelsige.

1017.

This year[AX] King Cnut took to himself the whole kingdom of England, and he divided it into four parts, reserving to himself the government of Wessex, and committing East Anglia to Thurcyll, Mercia to Eadric, and Northumberland to Yric. This year the Alderman Eadric was slain, and Northman also the son of the Alderman Leofwin, and Æthelword the son of Æthelmær the Great, and Brihtric the son of Ælfget of Devonshire. And King Cnut banished Ædwig the Ætheling, and Eadwig the King of the Peasants. Then before the calends of August he sent for the widow of the late King Æthelred, the daughter of Richard, to be his Queen.

1018.

This year a tribute was levied throughout England; it amounted in all to seventy-two thousand pounds, besides that paid by the citizens of London, which was eleven thousand pounds. Then a part of the Army returned to Denmark; but forty ships remained with King Cnut; and the Danes and English came to an agreement[AY] at Oxford. And this year Æthelsige Abbot of Abingdon died, and Æthelwine succeeded him.

1019.

This year King Cnut went to Denmark, and remained there all the winter.

1020.

This year King Cnut returned to England; and during Easter a great meeting was held at Cirencester, at which the Alderman Æthelword was outlawed. And this year the King went to Assandun, and caused a Minster[AZ] to be built of stone and lime, for the souls of those who were slain there, and he gave it to one of his priests whose name was Stigand. And Archbishop Living died, and Æthelnoth a monk and Deacon of Christ Church was consecrated Bishop of that diocese the same year by Archbishop Wulstan.

1021.

This year at Martinmas King Cnut outlawed Earl Thurkil.

1022.

This year King Cnut sailed with his ships to Wight. And Bishop Ælhelnoth journeyed to Rome, and was very honourably received by Pope Benedict, who put on his pall with his own hands, and consecrated him Archbishop with much pomp. And he performed mass clad in the same pall, even as the Pope desired; and after this he banqueted with the Pope: and at length he returned home with a full blessing.--And the Abbot Leofwin, who had been unjustly banished from Ely, was his companion, and he cleared himself of all that had been alledged against him, in the presence of the Archbishop and of all the company that was with him, as the Pope instructed him.

1023.

This year Archbishop Wulfstan died. Ælfric succeeded him, and Archbishop Ægelnoth consecrated him at Canterbury. And the same year Archbishop Ægelnoth brought the relics of the Archbishop St. Ælfeg from London to Canterbury.

1024.

“This year Richard 2d died: then his son Richard reigned nearly one year, and after him his brother Robert eight years.”

1025.

This year King Cnut sailed to Denmark, and thence to an island near the river Helga,[BA] and there Ulf and Eglaf came against him with a great fleet and army from Sweden. And very many fell on the side of King Cnut, both Danes and English, and the Swedes remained in possession of the field of battle.

1028.

This year King Cnut sailed from England to Norway with fifty ships of English Thanes, and he expelled King Olaf and took possession of that land.

1029.

This year King Cnut returned home to England.

1030.

This year King Olaf returned to Norway, and the people rose against him, and fought with him, and he was slain.

1031.

This year as soon as King Cnut came to England, he granted to Christ’s Church, in Canterbury, the harbour of Sandwich with all the profits therefrom arising, on either side of the haven, to this distance, namely, that when the tide runs highest and is fully in, and a ship can ride as near the shore as possible, a man should stand in the ship holding a small axe in his hand, “and as far as he could throw this axe on shore, so far should their rights extend.” This year King Cnut journeyed to Rome, and the same year after his return he went into Scotland, and the Scotch King Malcolm, with two other Kings, Mælbæthe and Iehmarc, submitted to him. And Robert Earl of Normandy went to Jerusalem and died there, and he was succeeded in Normandy by William then a child, who was afterwards King of England.

1032.

This year there were terrible lightnings, such as men remembered not before, and which caused much damage in various places throughout the country. And the same year Ælfsige Bishop of Winchester died, and the King’s priest Ælfwine received that bishoprick.

1033.

This year Merehwit Bishop of Somerset died, and he is buried at Glastonbury.

1034.

This year died Bishop Ætheric.

1036.

This year King Cnut died at Shaftesbury, and he is buried in the old monastery of Winchester. He was King over all England nearly 20 years; and soon after his death a meeting of all the Witan was held at Oxford, and Earl Leofric, and almost all the Thanes north of the Thames, and the seamen of London, chose Harold to govern all England, both in his own right, and for his brother Hardacnut, who was then in Denmark. And Earl Godwin and all the chief men of Wessex opposed them as long as they could; but they could not prevail against them. Then it was resolved that Ælfgiva the mother of Hardacnut should reside at Winchester, with the King her son’s household, and should hold the government of Wessex for him. Earl Godwin was the head man of that party. Some men say of Harold that he was the son of King Cnut and of Ælfgiva the daughter of the Alderman Ælfelm; but this is thought very unlikely by many. Be this as it may, he was sole King of all England.

1037.

This year Ælfgiva the widow of King Cnut and mother of Edward and King Hardacnut, was banished, and she sought an asylum with Baldwin oversea in the south, and he gave her a residence in Bruges, and he protected and maintained her as long as she was there.

1038.

This year Archbishop Æthelnoth died on the calends of November; and within a short time Æthelric Bishop of Sussex died also; and then before Christmas Brihteh Bishop of Worcestershire; and very soon after that Ælfric Bishop of East Anglia. Then Bishop[BB] Eadsige succeeded to the Archbishoprick; Grymcytel received the Bishoprick of Sussex; and Living that of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

1039.

This year King Harold died at Oxford on the 16th of the calends of April, and he was buried at Westminster: he governed England four years and sixteen weeks, and in his reign a tax was raised for (keeping up a fleet of) 16 ships, at the rate of eight marks to every sailor, even as it had been in the days of King Cnut. And the same year King Hardacnut arrived at Sandwich seven days before Midsummer, and he was forthwith received as King by the English and by the Danes: but those who promoted his accession paid dearly for it afterwards. Then they determined upon raising a tax to keep up a fleet of 62 ships, at the rate of eight marks for every sailor. And the same year the sæster of wheat sold for 55 pennies and even more.

1040.

This year Archbishop Eadsige journeyed to Rome, and this year the army-tribute was paid; it was twenty-one thousand and ninety-nine pounds: and eleven thousand and forty-eight pounds were afterwards paid for 32 ships. And the same year Edward the son of King Æthelred came hither from abroad;[BC] he was a brother of King Hardacnut, for they both were sons of Ælfgiva Emma the daughter of Earl Richard.

1041.

This year King Hardacnut died at Lambeth on the 6th of the ides of June. He was King over all England two years all but ten days, and he was buried with his father King Cnut in the old monastery at Winchester; and his mother gave the head of the martyr Saint Valentine for his soul’s sake to the new monastery. And before he was buried all the people chose Edward King in London, and he held the kingdom as long as God permitted him. And all this year was a very heavy time in many different ways, from the inclemency of the weather, and from the destruction of the fruits of the earth. So many of the cattle also perished this year both from disease, and from the ill season, as had never before been remembered. At this time Ælfsige Abbot of Peterborough died, and the monk Arnwi was chosen in his place, because he was a good man, and one of a singular simplicity.

1042.

On Easter-day, this year, Edward was consecrated King with great worship at Winchester. Easter then fell on the 3d of the nones of April. The Archbishop Eadsige consecrated him, and instructed him well before all the people, and admonished him for his own good and that of the nation. And the Priest Stigand was consecrated Bishop of East Anglia. And soon afterwards the King gave command to over-ride the lands which his mother held of him, and he took from her all that she possessed in gold and silver, and treasures innumerable, because she had not been liberal towards him.

1043.