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The Anglo-Saxon chronicle;

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LIBRARY OF WELLES LEY COLLEGE

PURCHASED FROM LIBRARY FUNDS

BOHN'S ANTIQUARIAN LIBRARY THE

ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE

G. BELL AND SONS, LTD.

LONDON : PORTUGAL ST., KINGSWAY CAMBRIDGE : DEIGHTON, BELL AND CO. NEW YORK : THE MACMILLAN CO. BOMBAY : A. H. WHEELER AND CO.

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FACSIMILE OP THE FIRST PAGE OP THE LAUD MS. PROM THOBPE'S EDITION. (Scale « of the original.)

THE

ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE

EDITED, FROM THE TRANSLATION IN MONUMENTA HISTORICA BRITANNICA AND OTHER VERSIONS, BY IHE LATE

J. A. GILES D C.L.

NEW EDITION

LONDON

G. BELL AND SONS, LTD. 1914

111^

\_ReprinUd from Sieve ot^jpe 'plaUs.']

J?/V

PREFACE

The work which is commonly known as the Saxo!i or Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a chronological record of important events, chiefly relating to the English race, from the earliest period of the Christian era to the XII. century. It is of a composite character, and has been preserved to the present day in the form of six more or less complete ancient MSS., some of which appear to be independent of each other though traceable to some common original, whilst others are apparently more nearly related by obvious similarities. Four of these are in the British Museum, one in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, and another in the library of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. In addition to these, there is, in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, a copy made in 1563—4, by William Lambard, of a MS. which now exists only in the shape of three disfigured leaves. It is one of the Cottonian MSS. in the British Museum, some of which were damaged or destroyed by a fire in Little Dean's Yard, Westminster, in the year 1731. Before its destruction this MS. was printed by Abraham Wheloc in 1633-4; and it is evident that, as far as it goes, it is a copy of the Cambridge MS. These seven MSS., including the

vi PHEFACE.

one which is represented by the Dublin copy and Wheloc'ff printed edition, have been distinguished as follows ; —

Ending at

1. At Cambridge .... 1070 A

2. In the British Museum . . 977 B

3. „ ;, „ . . . 1066 G

4. „ „ , . . . 1079 D

5. „ Bodleian Library (imperfect) 1154 E b. „ British Museum (imperfect) 1058 P

. (The Dublin MS. copy ) ^ ^ ^qq^ ^ ^^^ ^y

(Wheloc's printed copy 3

MS. A (CCCG 173) is part of the bequest of Archbishop Parker (died 1575) to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and is now generally known as the Parker MS. It is written in many different hands, but as the entries down to 891 are all in one script, consistent with that date, it is not unreasonable to assume that this copy dates from the days of Alfred the Great, to whom the initiation of this national chronicle is without doubt to be ascribed. 1 1 is also obvious from the entries that it was written at his royal city of Winchester, though it was at a later date supplemented by contemporary scribes at Canterbury. There are, moreover, many interpolations by later hands, and notes by Joscelin, Archbishop Parker's secretary. It i-5 generally regarded as the standard text.

IMS. B, in the British Museum (Cott. Tib. A vi.) is all

* In Mr. Charles Plummer's edition of " Two Sason Chronicles parallel" the text of G is indicated by the letter A as being a copy \jL the Cambridge MS., which he distinguishes by the symbol K. To his introduction to those parallel texts K and E (Clarendon Press, 18'J9) every student who requires an exhaustive description, audlysis and comparison of all the existing texts in referred.

PREFACE. vii

in one hand, and is supposed to have been copied about the year 1000, which is not remote from the year 977, at which it ends. The chronicle from which it was directly or indirectly copied was associated with the monastery of Abingdon.

MS. C, in the British Museum (Cott. Tib. B i.), is also connected with the same monastery, and has been called the Abingdon Chronicle. It is written in several hands, but from the regularity of its pages it seems to have been transcribed as a whole. It has many annotations of the XVI. century. A peculiarity of both B and C, showing a close connexion, is that they interpolate bodily a number of annals (from 902 to 924) dealing mainly with the deeds of ^thelfled, a Lady of the Mercians, generally designated as the Mercian Register.

MS. D, in the British Museum (Cott. Tib. B iv.) is written in several hands, and brings the chronicle down to 1079, but a considerable portion, comprising the years 262 to 693, is missing. The lacuna has been filled by insertions made by Joscelin from monastic records in other versions of the Chronicle. The original MS., though by seven or eight different hands, was all compiled in the latter half of the XI. century, with the exception of one late entry of 1130.* It agrees mostly with MS. C.

MS. E, in the Bodleian Library (Laud Misc. 636), was formerly in the possession of Archbishop Laud. It extends to the year 1154, though the last leaf is missing. The greater part of it, to 1121, is apparently in one hand, but the latest entries are probably contemporary with the

* This date, in the LIS., is 1080. Mr. Plummer has pointed out that MLXXX. has been erroneously written for MCXXX.

viii PPwEFACE.

events described. Owing to the numerous entries relating to Peterborough, it evidently came into the possession of that monastery. Its pedigree, as traceable from the original chronicle, diverges more than any other from that of MS. A, with which it has therefore a considerable com- plementary importance, for which reason Messrs. Earle and Plummer made these two texts the groundwork of their editions.

MS. F, in the British Museum (Cott. Dom. A viii.), extends to 1058, but is mutilated at the end. It is a compilation from other transcripts, and has little original value, its most remarkable feature being that it is bi-lingual, each entry being written in Latin as well as English.

MS. G, the few remains of which are in the British Museum (Cott. Otho B xi), is now only known by the Dublin copy and by Wheloc's printed version. It is practically a copy of A.

The minute and exhaustive investigation of the subject by Mr. Plummer, from whom some of these particulars are derived, has proved that the original chronicle estab- lished by Alfred the Great, or any direct copy of it, is no longer extant. MSS. A, B and C, which are practically identical to the year 892, doubtless represent its substance to that date, but it will be noticed by the student that in all of these, from the middle of the eighth century to the middle of the ninth, the events are misdated by two or three years. This has arisen from the fact that a date left blank in the original copy has occasionally been inadvertently filled by the transcriber with the next entry, and so caused a general ante-dating of the succeeding

PREFACE. ix

annals. Bufc the later portions of MSS. A, C, D and E may all be regarded as contemporary chronicles, and not open to suspicion on chronological grounds. A complete analytical edition in modern English, with corrected dates, is still, and must perhaps remain, a desideratum.

The first printed edition of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle was that by Abraham Wheelock, or Wheloc, Professor of Arabic in the University of Cambridge. His text was compiled from MS. G (not then destroyed), with additions from A, and was accompanied by a Latin translation.

Forty -nine years later a more complete edition, with a Latin translation, was published by Edmund Gibson, of Queen's College, Oxford, afterwards Bishop of London.

The first translation into modern English, based on Gibson's version, was made by Miss Anna Gurney, and privately printed at Norwich in 1819. It was a work of great ability, but its publication was prevented by the appearance in 1823 of a text and English translation by Dr. James Ingram, President of Trinity College, Oxford, who had the advantage of his predecessors in collating al! the extant MSS.

The following translation by Dr. Giles appeared in 1847. It was based on the materials prepared under the superintendence of Henry Petrie, formerly Keeper of the Records in the Tower. Dr. Giles also acknowledged his obligations to Miss Gurney 's translation, which he used to complete the chronicle, and to Dr. Ingram's account of the various MSS. Mr. Petrie's materials were, in the meantime, used in the compilation of the first volume of Monumenta Historica Britannica, which was published in 1848, and gives a composite text and

X PREFACE.

translation as far as 1066. It was not carried further, as t'le projected continuation of the work was merged in the well-known series of records issued under the authority of the Master of the Rolls. In this series was afterwards (in 1861) included Mr. Thorpe's six-text edition with a translation.

A good translation, which was based on, and completed that given in Monumenta Historica Britannica, by the Rev. J. Stevenson, of Durham University, appeared in 1853.

In an edition of the Chronicle there is no satisfactory compromise between a complete collation and what is called a conflation of the various texts. Mr. Plummer has, with the assistance of Mr. Thorpe's six-text edition, brought the former plan to as near perfection as possible, and thereby, with his remarkably discerning introduction and notes, earned the gratitude of all succeeding historians and workers in the same field. For the ordinary inquirer, a cheap and handy amalgamation of the texts such as that which follows may still, it is hoped, have its more commonplace uses. It appeared originally in the same volume as the translation of Bede's Ecclesiastical History ; but as this has now been superseded by Miss A. M. Sellar's version it has been found convenient to re-issue the Chronicle as an independent volume, and to introduce some improvements in its form, E. B.

THE

ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE.*

THE

ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE*

[The island f of Britain is eight hundred miles long and two hundred miles broad : and here in this island are five tongues ; English, British, Scottish, Pietish, and Latin. The first inhabitants of this land were Britt^ns ; they came from Armenia,! and first settled in the south of Britain. Then befell it that Picts came from the south from Scythia, with long sliips, not many, and first landed in North Hibernia, and there entreated the Scots that they might there abide. But they would not permit them, for tliey said that they could not all abide there together. And then the Scots said, ' We may nevertheless give you counsel. V/e know another island eastward of this, where ye may dwell if ye will, and if any one withstand you, we will assist you, so that you may subdue it.' Then went the Picts and subdued tliis land northwards ; the southern part the Britons had, as we before have said. And the Picts obtained waves for themselves of the Scots, on this condition, that they should always choose tb^eir royal lineage on the woman's side ; which they have held ever since. And then befell it in the course of years

* The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is apparently the work of many successive hands, and extends in different copies from the time of Csesar's invasion to the middle of the twelfth century. As it has been repeatedly prmted, it may suffice here to repeat, that, with the exception of the insertions placed within brackets, the text to the year 975 is mostly taken from the MS. designated by the letter A.; from that period to 1079 from MSS. A. C. D. E. F. and G., and from thence to the conclusion from MS. E. : and that such portions of the different MSS. us are concurrent with the text, but will not conveniently admit of collation, are given separately in a smaller type. These variations ■will sometimes convey the same information two or three times over : but it has been deemed advisable to retain all of them that the reader may hdve a more ample means of judging of tlie authority of this invaluable national record.

f This dtscription of Britiiin is taken from Bede*s Ecclesiastical History. — L i c l ^ ^Umorica, g

2 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. is.

that some part of the Scots departed from Hibernia ^^itc Britain, and conquered some portion of the land. And theu leader was called Reoda ; from whom they are named Dalreodi.*]

Sixty years before Clrist was born, Gains Julius, emperor of the Romans, with eighty ships, sought Britain. There he was at first distressed by a fierce battle, and a large portion of his army was dispersed. And then he left his army to abide among the Scots,"]* and went south into Gaul, and there collected six hundred ships, with which he came again into Britain. And as they first rushed together, the emperor's * gerrefa 'J was slain : he was called Labienus. Then the Welsh took large and sharp stakes and drove them into the fording place of a certain river under water ; this river was called Thames. When the Romans discovered this, then would they not go over the ford. Then fled the Britons to the wood-wastes, and the emperor conquered very many of their chief cities after a great struggle, and depai-ted again into Gaul.

Before the incarnation of Christ sixty years, Gains Julius the emperor, first of the Romans, sought the land of Britain; and he crushed the Btittjns in battle, and overcame them : and revertheless he was unable to gain any empire there.

A.D. 1. Octavianus reigned fifty-six years; and in the forty-second year of his reign Christ was born.

A. 2. The three astrologers came from the eastern parts in order that they might worship Christ. And the children were slain at Bethlehem, in persecution of Christ by Herod.

A. 3. This year died Herod, having stabbed himself, and Archelaus his son succeeded to the government. And tlie child Christ was brought back again from Egypt.

A, 4. 5. §

* Dal signifies a division or part. — Cf. Bede 1. i. c. 1.

f " This is an error, arising from the inaccurately written MSS. of Oroaius and Bede ; where in Hyhemia and in Hibemiam occur fcr in hiberua. The error is retained in Wheloc's Bede."— Lnqrvm.

X "Tribune." — Ingram.

§ These blank dates are found in the MSS. of the Saxon Chronicle, and are retained in this volume, for the sake of references which occur betweer the MSS. where the date happeiu to be blank, and othera in which facti ije asaigned to them.

A.D.6-47. TTIE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 3

A. 6. From the beginning of the world to tliis year, fixe iliousand and two hundi'ed years were gone by.

A. 7.— 10.

A. n. This year Herod the son of Antipater obtaiue<2 the government of Jndea.

A. 12. Philip and Herod divided Lysia (between therui, and Judea they divided into tetrarchies.

A. 12. This year Judea was divided into four tetrarchie».

A. 13.— 15.

A. 16. This year Tiberius succeeded to the empire.

A. 17.-25.

A. 26. This year Pilate began to rule over the Jews.

A. 27.-29.

A. 30. This year Christ was baptized ; and he converted Peter and Andrew, and James and John and Philip, and the twelve apostles.

A. 31. 32.

A. 33. This year Christ was crucified ; being from the beginning of the world about five thousand two hundred and twenty-six years.

A. 34. This year St. Paul was converted, and St. Stephen stoned.

A. 35. This year the blessed apostle Peter established a bishop's see in the city of Antioch.

A. 36. 37.

A. 38. This year Pilate slew himself with his OAvn hand.

A. 39. This year Caius obtained the empire.

A. 40. Matthew, in Judea, began to write his gospel.

A. 41. — 44.

A. 45. This year the blessed apostle Peter established a bishop's see in Rome. This year James, the brother of John, was slain by Herod.

A. 46. This year Herod died ; he who slew James, one year before his own death.

A. 46. This year the emperor Claudius came to Britain, and subdued a large part of the island ; and he also added the island of Orkney to the dominion of the Romans.

A. 47. This year Claudius, second of the Roman kings, sought the land of Britain, and brought under his power the greater part of the island, and also subjected the Orkney Islands to the dominion of the Romans. This war he

B 2

4 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. 47-100.

effected in the fourth year of his reign : and in the same year was the great famine in Syria, which was foretold in the Acts of the Apostles through Agabus the f^rophet. Then Nero succeeded to the empire after ClaufUus : he nearly lost the island of Britain through his cowardice. Mark the Evangelist begins to write the gospel in Egypt.

A. 47. This was in the fourth year of his reign, and in this same year was the great famine in Syria which Luke speaks of in the book called ' Actus Apostolorum.'

A. 47. This year Claudius, king of tke Romans, went with an army into Britain, and subdued the island, and subjected all the Picts and Welsh to the rule of the Romans.

A. 48. In this year there was a very severe famine.

A. 49. This year Nero began to reign.

A. 50. This year Paul was sent in bonds to Rome,

A. 5L— 61

A. 62. This year James, the brother of our Lord, suffered martyrdom.

A. 63. This year Mark the Evangelist died.

A. 64.-68.

A. 69. This year Peter and Paul suffered martyrdom.

A, 69. Thi-i year Peter suffered on the cross, and Paul was slain

A. 70. This year Vespasian obtained the empire.

A. 71. This year Titus, the son of Vespasian, slew on^ hundred and eleven thousand Jews in Jerusalem.

A. 72.— 80.

A. 81. This year Titus succeeded to the empire, after Vespasian ; he who said that he had lost the day on which he had done no good.

A. 82. 83.

A. 84. This year Domitian, the brother of Titus, suc- ceeded to the empire.

A. 84. This year John the Apostle wrote the book which is called Apocalypse.

A. 85. 86.

A. 87. This year John the Evangelist wrote the boos of the Apocalypse in tl>e island of Patmos.

A. 88.-99.

A. 100. This* year Simon the apostle, the kinsman of Christ was crucified, and John the Evangelist rcflt^Q ir death on that day at Ephcsus.

A.D. 101-286. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 5

A. lOL Tills year pope Clement died.

A. 102.— 109.

A. 110. This year Ignatius tlie bishop suffered martyrdom

A. 111.— 115.

A. 116. This year Adrian the emperor began to reign.

A. 117.— 136.

A. 137. This year Antoninus began to reign.

A. 138.-144.

A. 145. This year Marcus Antoninus and Aurelius his brother succeeded to the empire.

A. 146.— 166.

A. 167. This year Eleutherius obtained the bishopric of Rome, and held it in great glory for twelve years.* To him Lucius, king of Britain, sent letters praying that he might be made a Christian : and he fulfilled that he requested. And they afterwards continued in the right faith till the reign of Diocletian.

A. 167. This year Eleutherius succeeded to the popedom, and held it fifteen years ; and in the same year Lucius, king of the Britons, sent and begged baptism of him. And he soon sent it him ; and they continued iti the true faith until the time of Diocletian.

A. 168.— 187.

A. 188. This year Severus succeeded to the empire, and went with an army into Britain, and subdued a great part of the island by battle ; and then, for the protection of the Britons, he built a rampart of turf, and a broad wall thereon, from sea to sea. He reigned seventeen years, and then ended his days at York. His son Bassianus succeeded to the empire : another son of his was called Geta ; he died.

A. 190.— 198.

A. 199. In this year the Holy-rood f was found.

A. 200. Two hundred years.

A. 201.— 285.

A. 286. This year St. Alban the martyr suffered.

* According to Muratori, Eleutherius presided from A. 170 to A. 185.

+ " Those writers who mention this grand discovery of the holy cross, by Helena the mother of Constantine, disagree so much hi their chronology, that it is a vain attempt to reconcile them to truth or to each other. This and the other notices of ecclesiastical matters, whether Latin or Saxon, from the yeax 190 to the yefir 380 of the Laud MS. and 381 of the printed Chronicle, may be safely considered as interpolations, probabl* poeterior to the Norman Conquest." — Ingram.

r> THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. 287-4*3.

A. 287.-299.

A. 300. Three hundred years.

A. 301.— 342.

A. 343. This year S. Nicolas died.

A. 344.-378.

A. 379. This year Gratian succeeded to the empire.

A. 380.

A. 381. This year Maximus the emperor obtained the empire ; he was born in the land of Britain, and went thence into Gaul. And he there slew the emperor Gratian, and drove his brother, who was called Valentinian, out of the country. And Valentinian afterwards gathered an army and slew Maximus, and obtained the empire. In these days the heresy of Pelagius arose throughout the world.

A. 382.— 408.

A. 409. This year the Goths took the city of Rome by storm, and after this the Romans never ruled in Britain ; and this was about eleven hundred and ten years after it had been built. Altogether they ruled in Britain four hundred and seventy years since Caius Julius first sought the land.

A. 410.— 417.

A. 418. This year the Romans collected all the treasures that were in Britain, and some they hid in the earth, so that no one has since been able to find them ; and some they carried with them into Gaul.

A. 419.— 422.

A. 423. This year Theodosius the younger succeeded to tlie empire.

A. 424. — 429.

A. 430. This year Palladius * the bishop was sent to the Scots by pope Celestinus, that he might confirm their faitli.

A. 430. This year Patrick was sent by pope Celestine to preach baptism to the Scots.

A. 431.— 442.

A. 443. This year the Britons sent over sea to Rome, and begged for help against the Picts ; but they had none, because they were themselves warring against Attila, king of the

♦ " Pallad:\!s and Patricius have been sometimes confoimded together* <o that it is difficult to assign to each his respective share of merit in ihe Cou version oi the Scots of Ireland." — Lngr^m.

A n. 444-455. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 7

Huns. And then they sent to the Angles, and entreated th? like of the ethelings of the Angles.

A. 444. This year St. Martin died.

A. 445. — 447.

A. 448. This year John tlie Baptist revealed his head to two monks, who eame from the east to offer up tlieir prayers at Jerusalem, on the spot which was formerly Herod's residence.

A. 449. This year Martianus and Valentinus succeeded to the empire, and reigned seven years. And in their days Hengist and Horsa, invited by Vortigern king of the Britons, landed in Britain on the shore which is called Wippidsfleet ; at first in aid of the Britons, but afterwards they fought against them. King Vortigern gave them land in the south-east of this country, on condition that they should fight against the Picts. Then they fought against the Picts, and had the victory wheresoever they came. They then sent to the Angles ; desired a larger force to be sent, and caused them to be told the worthlessness of the Britons, and the excellencies of the land. Then they soon sent thither a larger force in aid of the others. At that time there came men from three tribes in Germany ; from the Old- Saxons, from the Angles, from the Jutes. From the Jutes came the Kentish-men and the Wip-htwarians, that is, the tribe which now dwells in Wight, and that race among the West- Saxons which is still called the race of Jutes. From the Old- Saxons came the men of Essex and Sussex and Wessex. From Anglia, which has ever since remained waste betwixt the Jutes and Saxons, came the men of East Anglia, Middle Anglia, Mercia, and all North-humbria. Their leaders were two brothers, Hengist and Horsa : they were the sons of Wihtgils ; Wihtgils son of Witta, Witta of Wecta, Wecta of Woden : from this Woden sprang all our royal families, and those of the South-humbrians also.

A, 449. And in their days Vortigern invited the A nirles thither, and tliey came to Britain in three ceols, at the place caJled Wippidsfleet:

A. 450.— 454.

A. 455. This year Hengist and Horsa fought against king Vortigena at the place which is called jEgels-thre[>, ( Aylesford,] and his brother Horsa was there slain, and aftei tlifit Hengist obtained the kingdoin and -/Esc his son.

8 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. 45c-49i.

A. 456. This year Hengist and iE-c slew four troops of Batons with the edge of the sword, in the place which is naraed Creccanford, [Crayford].*

Ac 457. This year Hengist and -^sc his son fought against the Britons at the place which is called Crecganford, fCrayford,] and there slew four thousand men ; and the Britons then forsook Kent, and in great terror fled to London.

A. 458.-464.

A. 465. This year Hengist and ^sc fought against the Welsh near Wippidsfleet, [Ebbsfleet?] and there slew twelve Welsh ealdormen, and one of their own thanes was slain there, whose name was Wipped.

A. 466. — 472.

A. 473. This year Hengist and ^sc fought against the Welsh, and took spoils innumerable ; and the Welsh fled from the Angles like fire.

A. 474.-476.

A. 477. This year ^EUa, and his three sons, Cymen, and Wlencing, and Cissa, came to the land of Britain with three ships, at a place which is named Cymenes-ora, and there slew many Welsh, and some they drove in fliglit into the wood that is named Andreds-lea.

A. 478.— 481.

A. 482. This year the blessed abbat Benedict, by the glory of his miracles, shone in this world, as the blessed Gregory relates in his book of Dialogues.

A. 483. 484.

A. 485. Tliis year iEUa fought against the Welsh near the bank of Mearcraedsburn.

A. 486. 487.

A. 488. This year JE,sg succeeded to the kingdom, and was king of the Kentish-men twenty-four years.

A. 489. 490.

A. 491. This year iEUa and Cissa besieged Andreds- cester, and slew ail that dwelt therein, so that not a single Briton was there left.

* The positions usually a8sip:ned to various places mentioned in the f<*rl:.er portion of the Chronicle, are often very uncertain, depending chiefly on a supposed or real similarity of names. Where these, however, appear sufficiently probable, they are placed between brackets if otherwiae? a ^UAre IB added.

J.AX 402-534. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 0

A 492.-494.

A. 495. This year two ealdormen came to Britain, C.M-dic and Cynric his son, with five ships, at the place whi':h is called Cerclics-ore, and the same day they fbught against the Welsh.*

A. 496.-500.

A. 501. This year Port, and his two sons Bieda and IMaBgla, came to Britain with two ships, at a place whicjli is called Portsmouth, and they soon effected a landing, and they there slew a young British man of high nobility.

A. 502.— 507.

A. 508. This year Cerdic and Cynric slew a British king, whose name was Natan-leod, and five thousand men w'th him. After that the country was named Natan-lea, as far Cerdicsford, [Cliarford.]

A. 509. Tliis yearf St. Benedict the abhat, father of all monks, went to heaven.

A. 510.— 513.

A. 514. This year the West- Saxons came to Britain with three ships, at the place which is called Cerdic's-ore, and Stuf and Whitgar fought against the Britons, and put tliem to flight.

A. 515.-518.

A. 519. This year Cerdic and Cynric obtained the kin,sr- dom of the West- Saxons ; and the same year they fouglit against the Britons where it is now named Cerdicsford. And from that time forth the royal offspring of the West- Saxons reigned.

A. 520.-526.

A. 527. This year Cerdic and Cynric fought against the Bntons at the place which is called Cerdic's-lea.

A. 528. 529.

A. 530. This year Cerdic and Cynric conquered the island of Wight, and slew many men at Whit-garas-byrg, [Carisbrooke, in Wight.''

A 531.— 533.

A. 534. Tliis year Cerdic, the first king of the V/est Saxons, died, and Cynric his son succeeded to the kingdoni,

* Gibson here introduced into the text a long genealogy, which, as I)f Ingram observes : "is not justified by a single MS." f Benedict died, according to Mabillon, in 54'6

10 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. 535^60.

and reigned from that time twenty-six jears ; and they gave the whole island of Wight to their two nephews, Stuf and Wihtgar.

A. 535.— 537.

A. 538. This year, fourteen days before the Kalends of March, the sun was eclipsed from early morning till nine in the forenoon.

A. 539.

A. 540. This year the sun was eclipsed on the twelfth before the Kalen-ds of July, and the stars showed themselves full-nigh half an hour after nine in the forenoon.

A. 541.— 543.

A. 544. This year Wihtgar died, and they buried him in Wibt-gara-byrg. [Carisbrooke.]

A. 545. 546.

A. 547. This year Ida began to reign, from whom arose the royal race of North-humbria ; and he reigned twelve years, and built Bambrough, which was at iSirst enclosed by a hedge, and afterwards by a wall. Ida was the son of Eoppa, Eoppa of Esa, Esa of Ingwi, Ingwi of Angenwit, Angenwit of Aloe, Aloe ot Benoc, Benoc of Brond, Brond of Beldeg, Beldeg of Woden, Woden of Frithowald, Fritho- wald of Frithuwulf, Frithuwulf of Finn, Finn of Godwulf, Godwulf of Geat.

A. 548.— 551.

A. 552. This year Cynric fought against the Britons at the place which is called Searo-byrig [Old Sarum], and he put the Britons to flight. Cerdic was Cynric's father , Cerdic was the son of Elesa, Elesa of Esla, Esla of Gewis, Gewis of Wig, W^ig of Freawin, Freawin of Frithogar, Fri- thogar of Brond, Brond of Beldeg, Beldeg of Woden. And Ethelbert, the son of Ermenric was born ; and in the thir- tieth year of his reign he received baptism, the first of the kings in Britain.

A. 553. — 555.

A. 556. This year Cynric and Ceawlin fought against the Britons at Berin-Byrig, [Banbury ?]

A. 557.-559.

A. 560. This year Ceawlin succeeded to the kingdom of the West-Saxons, and Ida being dead, Alia succeeded to the Idngdom of North-humbria, each of whom reigned tliirty

A.P.501571. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 11

years. Alia was the son of Iff, Iff of Usfrey, Usfrey of Wilgis, Wilgis of Westerfalcon, Westerfalcon of Seal'owl. Seafowl of Sebbald, Sebbald of Sigeat, Sigeat of Swadd, Swadd of Sygar, Sygar of Waddy, Waddy of Woden^ Woden of Frithuwulf.

A. 561—564.

A. 561). This year Ethelbert* succeeded to the kingdom of th3 Kentish-men, and held it fifty-three years. In hig days the holy pope Gregory sent us baptism, that was in the two and thirtieth year of his reign : and Columba, a mass- priest, came to the Picts, and converted them to the faitli of Christ : they are dwellers by the northern mountains. And their king gave liim the island which is called li [lona] : therein are five hides of land, as men say. There Columba built a monastery, and he was abbat there thirty-seven years, and there he died when he was seventy-two years old. His successors still have the place. The Southern Picts had been baptized long before: bishop Ninia, who had been in- structed at Rome, had preached baptism to them, whose church and his monastery is at Whitherne, consecrated in the name of St. Martin : there he resteth, with many holy men. Now in li there must ever be an abbat, and not a bishop ; and all the Scottish bishops ought to be subject to him, be- cause Columba was an abbat and not a bishop.

A. 565. This year Columba the presbyter came from the Scots among the Britons, to instruct the Picts, and he built a monastery in the island of Hii.

A. 566. 567.

A. 568. This year Ceawlin, and Cutha, Ceawlin's brother, fought against Ethelbert, and drove him into Kent, and they killed two ealdormen at Wibban-dune [Wimbledon], f Oslaf and Cnebba.

A. 569. 570.

A. 571. This year Cuthulf fought against the Britons at Bedcanford [Bedford], and took four towns, Lygean-birg [Lenbury], and iEgeles-birg [Aylesbury], and Baenesington [Benson], and Egonesham [Eynsham] ; and the same year he died. Cutha was CeawHn's brother.

• Bedu [ii. 5,] says Ethelbert died on February 23, a.d. 616, after a rei^Ti of fifty-six years. This would make it out that he succeeded to the thrane in a.d. 660. f Or Worplesdon, Surrey.

12 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. 572-600.

A. 572.-576.

A. 577. This year CutliAvine and Ceawlin fought against the Britons, and they slew three kings, Comail, and Condi- dan, and P^arinmeail, at the place wliich is called Deorham [Derham ?], and took three cities from them, Gloucester and Cirencester, and Bath.

A. 578.-582.

A. 583. This year Mauricius succeeded to the empire of the Romans.

A. 584. This year Ceawlin and Cutha fought against the Britons at the place whi<;h is called Fethan-lea, [Frethern ?] and there was Cutha slain ; and Ceawlin took many towns, and spoils innumerable ; and wrathful he thence returned to his own.

A. 585.-587.

A. 588. This year King ^lle died, and Ethelric reigr.ed after him five years.

A. 589.

590. At this period Ceol reigned five years.

59 L Tins year in Britain was a great slaughter in battle at Woddesbeorg [Wemborow ?], and Ceawlin was expelled.

A. 592. Tliis year Gregory succeeded to the popedom in Rome.

A. 593. This year Ceawlin, and Cwichelm, and Crida, perished ; and Ethelfrith succeeded to the kingdom of the North-humbrians ; he was the son of JEthelric, Ethelric of Ida.

A. 594. 595.

A. 596. This year Pope Gregory sent Augustine to Britain, with a great many monks, who preached the word of God to the nation of the Angles.

A. 597. This year Ceolwulf began to reign over the West- Saxons ; and he fought and contended incessantly against either the Angles, or the Welsh, or the Picts, or the Scots. He was the son of Cutha, Cutha of Cynric, Cynric of Cerdic, Cerdic of Elesa, Elesa of Esla, Esla of Gewis, Gewis of Wig, Wig of Frea\^'^ne, Freawine of Frithogar, Frithogar of Brond, Brond of Beldeg Beldeg of Woden. Tliis year Augustine and his companions came to the land of the Angles.

A. 598.— €0a

A.D.Goi-614. THE ANGLO-SAXON- CHRONICLE. 13

A. 601. This year Pope Grejrory sent a pall to Arch- bij^liop Augustine in Britain, and also a great many religioii.^ teaciiers to assist him, and amongst them was Paulinas the bishop, who afterwards converted Edwin, king of the North- humbrians, to baptism.

A. 602.

A. 603. This year there was a battle at Egesanstane.*

A. 603. This year iEthan, king of the Scots, fought against the Dalreods and against Ethelfrith king of the North-humbrians, at Dsegsanstane [Dawston?], and they slew almost all his army. There Theodbjild, Ethelfrith's brother, was slain with all his band. Since then no king of the Scots has dared to lead an army against this nation. Hering, the son of Hussa, led the enemy thither.

A. 604. This year the East-Saxons received the faith and oaptism under King Sebert and Bishop Mellitus.

A. 604. This year Augustine consecrated two bishops, Mellitus and Justus. He sent Mellitus to preach baptism to the East-Saxons, whose king was called S'c I ejt son of Ricole, the sister of Ethelljcrt, and whom Ethelbert had there appointed king. And .Ethelbert gfive Mellitus a bishop's see in London, and to Justus he gave Rochester, which is twenty- four miles from Canterbury.

A. 605.

A. 606. This year Pope Gregory died, about ten years after he had sent us baptism ; his father was called Gordiini, and his mother Silvia.

A. 607. This year Ceolwulf fought against the South- Saxons. And this year Ethelfrith led his army to Chester, and there slew numberless Welshmen : and so was fulfilled the prophecy of Augustine, wherein he saith, ' If the Welsh will not be at peace with us, they shall perish at the hands of the Saxons.' There also were slain two hundred priests, who came to pray for the army of the Welsh : their ealdor was called Scromail [Brocmaii], who with some fifty escaped thence.

A, 608.— 610.

A. 611. This year Cynegife succeeded to the kingdom of the West- Saxons, and held it thirty-one years. Cynegils was the son of Ceol, Ceol of Cutha, Cutha of Cynric.

A. 612. 613.

A. 614. This year Cynegils and Cuichelm fought at

• See Bede'8 Eccl. ilist. lib. I c. 34.

U THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. 615 cio

Beandune* [Bampton ?"], and slew two thousand and sixty- live Welshmen.

A. 615

A. 616. This year Ethelb^rt, king of the Kentish-mer, died ; he was the first English king who received baptism., and he was the son of Eormenric ; he reigned fifty-si? years, and from the beginning of the world to this same year five thousand eight hundred years were gone by ; and after him Eadbald his son succeeded to the kingdom ; he for- sook his baptismal vow, and lived after the manner of the heathens, so that he had his father's widow to wife. Then Laurentius, who was archbishop of Kent, was minded that he would go southwards over the sea, and leave it entirely. But the apostle Peter came to him by night and scourged him sorely, because he wished thus to forsake the flock oi God, and commanded him to go to the king and preach the true faith to him ; and he did so, and the king was con- verted and was baptized. Li this king's days Laurentius who was archbishop of Kent after Augustine, died, and was buried beside Augustine on the 4th Non. Feb. After him Melhtus, who formerly had been bishop of London, suc- ceeded to the archbishopric : then the men of London, where Mellitus had been formerly, became heathens (again). And in about five years, during the reign of Eadbald, Mellitus departed to Christ. Then after him Justus succeeded to the archbishopric ; and he consecrated Romanus to Rochester, where formerly himself had been bishop.

A. 616. In that time Laurentius was archbishop, and for the sorrow- fulness which he had on account of the king's unbelief he was minded to forsake this country entirely, and go over sea ; but St. Peter the apos- tle scourged him sorely one night, because he wished thus to forsake the flock of God, and commanded him to teach boldly the true faith to tlie king ; and he did so, and the king turned to the right (faith). In the days of this same king, Eadbald, this Laurentius died. The holy Augustine, while yet in sound health, ordained him bishop, in order that the commu- nity of Christ, which was yet new in England, should not after his decease be at any time without an archbishop. After him Mellitus, who had been previously bishop of London, succeeded to the archbishopric. And witli- in five years of the decease of Laurentius, while Eadbald still reigned, Mellitus depiuted to Christ.

* This is more likely to be Bampton in Oxfordshire, than Bampton in Devonshire, which is by far too remote to admit the supposition that th« Ikouttie in queation waa fought there.

A.D.C17-627. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 15

A. 617. This year Ethelfrid king of tlie North-hum- brians was slain by Redwald king of the East-Angles, and Edwin the son of Alia succeeded to the kingdom, and subdued all Britain, the Kentish-men alone excepted. And he drove out the ethelings, sons of Ethelfrid ; that is to say, fii-st Eanfrid, Oswald, and Oswy, Oslac, Oswudu, Oslai', and Offa.

A. 618.

A. 619. This year archbishop Laurentius died.

A. 620.— 623.

A. 624. This year archbishop Mellitus died.

A. 625. This year Paulinus was ordained bishop of the North-humbrians by archbishop Justus on the xn. Kalends of August.

A. 625. This year archbishop Justus consecrated Paulinus bishop of tlie North-humbrians.

A. 626. This year Eumer came from Cuichelm king ot the West- Saxons, thinking to stab king Edwin. But he stabbed Lilla his thane, and Forthhere, and wounded tlie king. And on the same night a daughter was born to Ed- win : she was called Eanfled. Then the king made a vow to Paulinus that he would give his daughter to God, if he would obtain of God that he might kill his foe who had sent the assassin. And he then went with an army against the West- Saxons, and there killed five kings, and slew a great number of the people. And at Pentecost Paulinus baptized his daughter with twelve others. And within a twelvemonth the king and all liis court were baptized at Easter ; that year Easter fell on the second before the Ides of April. This was done at York, where he first ordered a church to be built of wood, which was consecrated in the name of St. Peter. There the king gave Paulinus a bishop's see, and there he afterwards commanded a larger church to be built of stone. And this year Penda succeeded to th( kingdom [Mercia], and reigned thirty years ; and he was fifty years (old) when he suc- ceeded to the kingdom. Penda was the son of Pybba, Pybba cf Creoda, Creoda of Cynewald, Cynewald of Cnebba, Cnebba of Icel, Icel of Eomaer, Eomaer of Angeltheow, Angeltlieow sf Offa, Offa of Waermund, Waermund of Wihtlseg, Wihtlaeg of Woden.

A 627. This year king Edwin was baptized with hia

16 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. 627-63^

people by Paulinus at Easter. And this Paiilinus also preached baptism in Lindsey, where the first who believed was a certain great man called Blecca, with all liis followers. And in this time Honorias, who sent Paulinus his pall, succeeded to the popedom after Boniface. And archbislu^p Justus died on the fourtli before the Ides of November, and Honorius was consecrated archbishop of Canterbury by Paulinus at Lincoln. And to this Honorius the pope also sent a pall : and he sent a letter to the Scots, desiring that tliey should turn to the right Easter.

A. 627. This year, at Easter, Paulinus baptized Edwin king of the Noith-humbrians, with his jjeople : and earlier within the same year, at Pentecost, he had baptized Eanfled daughter of the same king.

A. 628. This year Cynegils and Cuichelm fought against Penda at Cirencester ; and then made a treaty.

A. 629.— 631.

A. 632. Tliis year Eorpwald was baptized.

A. 633. This year king Edwin was slain by Cadwalla and Penda at Heathfield [Hatfield Chase ?] on the second before the Ides of October, and he reigned seventeen years ; and his son Osfrid was also slain with liim. And after that went Cadwalla and Penda and laid waste the whole country of the North-humbrians. When Paulinus saw that, he took Ethelberga, Edwin's widow, and departed in a ship to Kent. And Eadbald and Honorius received him very honourably, and gave him a bishop's see in Rochester ; and he dwelt there till his end.

A. 634. Tliis year Osric, whom Paulinus had formerly baptized, succeeded to the kingdom of Deira ; he was the son of Elfric, Edwin's uncle. And Eanfrid the son of Ethelfrid Fiicceeded to Bernicia. And this year also bishop Birinus lirst preached baptism to the West-Saxons under king Cynegils. Birinus came thither by command of Honorius the pope, and he there was bishop until his life's end. And tliis year also Oswald succeeded to the kingdom of the North-humbrians, and he reigned nine years ; the ninth being numbered to him because of the heathenism which tliey practised who reigned over them the one year between Lini and Edwin.

A. CZ5. This year king Cynegils was baptized by Birinus

AD. 636-^44. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 17

the bishop, at Dorchester, and Oswald king of tlie North hurabrians was his godfixther.

A. 6:^6. This year king Cuichelm was baptized at Dorchest(?r, and the same year he died. And bishop Felix pn^ached the faith of Christ to the Epst- Angles.

A. 637. 638

A. 639. This year Birinus baptized king Cuthred at Dorchester, and received him as his (god) son.

A. 640. This year Eadbald, king of the Kentish-men, died, and he reigned twenty-five years. He had two sons, l'>rme-nred and Earconbert, and Earconbert reigned there after his father. He overtlii^ew all idolatry in his kingdom, and was the first of the English kings who established the Easter-fast. His daughter was called Earcongota, a holy woman and a wondrous person, whose mother was Sexberfr:\, daughter of Anna, king of the East- Angles. And Ermeui-i^d begot two sons, who afterwards were martyred by Thunner.

A. 641.

A. 642. This year Oswald, king of the North-humbrians, was slain by Penda and the South-humbrians at Maserfeld on the Nones of August,* and his body was buried at Bardney. His sanctity and liis miracles were afterwards manifested in various ways beyond this island, and his hands are at Bambrough, uncorrupted. And the same year that Oswald was slain, Oswy his brother succeeded to the kingdom of the North-humbrians, and he reigned two less (than) thirty years.

A. 643. This year Ken walk succeeded to the kingdom of the West- Saxons, and held it thirty-one years ; and Kenwalk commanded the old church at Winchester to be built in the name of St. Peter : and he was the son of Cynegils.

A. 644. Tills year Paulinus died, on the sixth before the Ides of October ; f he was first archbishop of York, and after- wards at Rochester. He Avas bishop one less (than) twenty years, and two months and twenty-one days. And this year Oswin's uncle's son, J the son of Osric, succeeded to the kingdom of Deira, and reigned seven years.

♦ The 5th of Aus^st. t The 10th of October.

X This IS a})pareiUl}' corrupt, au<i should be read ' Oswm, the *Km (A Owic, Edwin's uncle's son.' See B«de, iii. I, and above An. 6S4,

IS THE AXGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. 615-653.

A. 645. This vear king Kenwalk was driven out of h'ls

kingdom bj king Penda.

A. 646. This year king Kenwalk was baptized.

A. 647.

A. 648. Tliis year Kenwalk gave Cuthred, his kinsman three thousand hides of land by Ashdown, [Aston ?] Cutln> d was the son of Cuichebii, Cuichelm of Cynegils. This year the minster was built at Winchester, which king Kenwalk caused to be made, and hallowed in the name of 8t. Peter.

A. 649.

A. 6.50. This year Agilbert, a native of Gaul, obtained the bishopric of the West- Saxons after Birinus the Romish bishop.

A. 650. This year Birinus the bishop died, and Agilbert the French- man was ordained.

A. 650. This year king Oswy ordered king Oswin to be slain, on the tliirteenth before the Kal. of September ; and about twelve days after this bishop Aidan died, on the second before the Kal. of September.

A. 651.

A. 652. This year Kenwalk fought at Bradford on the Avon.

A. 653. This year the Middle-Saxons, under Peada the ealdorman, received the true faith.

A. 654. This year king Anna was slain, and Botolph began to build a minster at Ycean-ho [Boston ?]. And this year arclibishop Honorius died, on the second before the Kalends of October.

A. 655. This year king Oswy slew king Penda at Winwidfield, and tliirty men of royal race ^\^th him, and some of them were kings, among whom was Ethelhere, brother of Anna, king of the East Angles. And the Mercians became Christians. From the beginning of the world to this time five thousand eight hundred and fifty years were agone ; and Peada the son of Penda succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians.

*In his time he and Oswy the brother of king Oswald came together, and agreed that tliey would rear a monastery to the glory of Christ and the honour of St. Peter. And they did so, and named it * Medeshamstede' [Peterborough], because

• This is the first of many Lite additions to the Chronicle concernin>j the monastery of Peterborough. They occur in only one of the MSS.

A.E.65G-G57. THE ANGLO-SAXON" CHRONICLE. 19

there is a wliirpool at this place, which is called MeadswelL And they began the foundations and wrought thereon, and then committed it to a monk who was called Sexwulf. Ha was greatly God's friend, and all the country loved him, and he was very nobly born, and rich in a worldly sense ; but he is now much richer, being with Christ. And king Peada reigned no long time, for he was betrayed by his own wife at Kaster.

This year Ithamar bishop of Rochester consecrated Deus- dedit to the see of Canterbury on the seventh before the Ka- lends of April.

A. 656.

A. 657. This year Peada died, and Wulfhere the son of Penda succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians.

In liis time the abbacy of Medeshamstede, which his brother had begun, waxed very rich. The king favoured it much for the love of his brother Peada, and for the love of Oswy his brother by baptism, and for the love of abbat Sexwulf. And he said that he would dignify and honour it, and this by the counsel of Ethelred and Merwal his brothers, and Kyneburg and Kyneswith his sisters, and by the counsel of the archbishop, who was called Deus-dedit, and by the counsel of all his witan, both clergy and laity, who were in his kingdom ; and he did so.

Then the king sent after the abbat that he should come to him with all speed ; and he did so. Then the king said to the abbat, ' Lo ! I have sent for thee, beloved Sexwulf, for the behoof of my soul, and I will plainly tell thee for why. My brother Peada and my dear friend Oswy began a monastery to the glory of Christ and St. Peter. But my brother, as it has pleased Christ, is departed this life, and lo I my prayer to thee is, beloved friend, that they work diligently on the work, and I will find thee gold and silver, land and possessions, and all that behoveth thereto.' Then the abbat went home and began to build ; and he so sped, by the grace of Christ, that in a few years the monastery was ready When the king heard that said, he was very glad : he bade send throughout the nation after all his thanes, after the archbishop, and after the bishops, and after his eai-ls, and after all who loved God, that they should come to him : and hfi set a day on which the monastery should be hallowed.

c 2

20 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.p.gs?.

At tlie hallowing of the monastery king Wulfhere was present, and liis brother Etheh-ed, and liis sisters Kyneburg and Kyneswith. And Deus-dedit archbishop of Canterbury hallowed the monastery, and Ithamar bishop of Rochester, and the bishop of London, who was called Wini, and the bishop of the Mercians, who was called Jaruman, and bishop Tuda. And there was Wilfrid the priest, who was afterwards a bishop : and all his thanes who were witliin his kingdom were there.

When the monastery had been hallowed in the name of St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Andrew, then the king stood up before all his thanes, and said with a clear voice, ' Thanked be the high Almighty God for the worthy deed which here is done, and I ^vill tliis day do honour to Christ and St. l^eter ; and I desire that ye all assent to my words : I, Wulfhere, do this day give to St. Peter and abbat Sexwulf, and the monks of the monastery, these lands, and these waters, and meres, and fens, and wears, and all the lands which lie thereabout, which are of my kingdom, freely, so that none but the abbat and the monks shall have a^y claim upon them. This is the grant. From Medeshamstede to North- borough, and thence to the place which is called Foleys, and thence all the fen straight to Esendic, and from Esendic to the place which is called Fethermouth, and thence along the straight way ten miles to Ugdike, and thence to Rag^vell, and from Ragwell five miles to the straight stream which goeth to Elm and to Wisbeach, and thence about three miles to Trokenholt, and from Trokenholt straight through all the fen to Derworth which is twenty miles long, and thence to Great Cross, and from Great Cross through a clear water called Bradney, and thence six miles to Paxlade, atid thence onward through all the meres and fens which lie toward Huntingdon-port, and these meres and lakes, Shelfermere and Wittleseymere, and all the others whieJi lie thereabout, with the land and the houses which are on the east-half of Shelfermere, and from thence all the fens to Medes- hamstede, and from Medeshamstede to Welmsford, and from Welmsibrd to Clive, and thence to Easton, and from Easton to Stamford, and from Stamford even as the water runneth to the aforesaid North-borougli.' These are the lands and the fens which the king gave to St. Peter's monastery.

A.1..657. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 21

Then said the king, ' Tliis gi.'i is little ; but it is my will

tliat they shall hold it so royally and so freely that neither geld nor tribute be taken from it, except for the monks alone. And thus free I will make this minster, that it be sul)ject to Rome alone ; and here it is my will that all of us who are unable to go to Rome shall visit St. Peter.'

While he was saying these Avords, the abbat desired of liim that he would grant him what he should desire of him : and the king granted it. *I have here 'godefrihte'* monks who wish to spend their lives as anchorites, if they knew where. And there is an island here, which is called Anchorets-isle, and my desire is, that we might build a , minster there to the glory of St, Mary, so that those may dwell therein who wish to lead a life of peace and rest.'

Then the king answered, and said thus : ' Behold, Sexwulf, lo ! not only that one which thou hast desired, but all things which I know thee to desire on our Lord's behalf, I thus approve and grant. And I beg of thee, my brother Ethelred, and my sisters Kyneburg and Kyneswith, that ye be witnesses for your souls' redemption, and that ye write it with your fingers. And I beg all those who come after me, be they my sons, be they my brothers, or kings that come after me, that our gift may stand, even as they would be partakers of the life eternal, and would escape everlasting torment. Whosoever shall take from this our gift, or the gifts of other good men, may the heavenly gateward take from him in the kingdom of heaven ; and whosoever will increase it, may the heavenly gateward increase (his state) in the kingdom of heaven.'

These are the witnesses Avho were there, who subscribed i<- with their fingers on the cross of Christ, and assented to it with their tongues. King Wulfhere was the first who confirmed it by word, and afterwards subscribed it with his fingers on the cross of Christ ; and said thus : * I, king Wulfhere, with the kings, and earls, and dukes, and thanes, the witnesses of my gift, do confirm it before the archbishop Deus-dedit with the cross of Christ, t^^ 'And I, Oswy king jf the North-humbrians, the friend of this monastery and of abbat Sexwulf, approve of it with the cross of Chri'«Jt. »J^ *

* This word is re: dered by Lye, " God-fearing," and by Ingram, siirpljr good.**

22 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d.657.

And I, k^ng Sighere, grant it with the cross of Christ. »J«

* And I, king Sibbi, subscribe it with the cross of Christ. »J«'

* A jd I, I']thehred, the knig's brother, grant it with the cross of Christ >J< * ' And we, the king's sisters, Kyneburg and Kyne»with, we approve it. ►J* ' * And I, Deus-dedit ari'hbishop of Canterbury, grant it. ^J* ' After that, all the others who were there assented to it with the cross of Christ.*^ They were by name Ithamar bishop of Rochester, and Wini bishop of London, and Jaruman who was bisliop of the Mercians, and bishop Tuda, and Wilfrid the priest, who was afterwards bishop, and Eappa the priest, whom king Wulf here sent to preach Christianity in the Isle of Wiglit, and abbat Sexwulf, and Immine the ealdorman, and Edbert the ealdorman, and Herefrid the ealdorman, and Wilbert the ealdorman, and Abon the ealdorman, Ethelbald, Brordan, Wilbert, Elmund, Frethegis. These, and many others who were there, servants of the king, all assented to it. This writing was written six hundred and sixty-four years after the birth of our Lord, (in) the seventh year of king Wulf here ; the ninth year of archbisliop Deus-dedit. They then laid the curse of God, and the curse of all saints, and of all Christian people (upon him) who should undo any thing which there was done. * So be it,' say all, ' Amen.'

When these tilings were done, the king sent to Rome to Vitalian who then was pope, and desired that he should grant by his rescript, and with his blessing, all the before- mentioned things. And the pope sent this rescript, thus saying, ' I, pope Vitalian, concede to thee king Wulf here, and archbishop Deus-dedit, and abbat Sexwulf, all the things which ye desire, and I forbid tfcat any king or any man have any claim thereon, except the abbat alone ; nor let him obey any man except the pope of Rome, and the archbishop of Canterbury. If any one break this in any thing, may St. Peter exterminate him with his sword : if any one observe it, may St. Peter, with the keys of heaven, undo for him the kingdom of heaven.' Thus the monastery at Medeshamstede was begun, which since has been called Burh [Peterborough].

After that, another archbishop came to Canterbury, wlio was called Theodore, a very good and a wise mun, and he held his synod with his bishops and with tlie clergy. There was Winfred bishop of the Mercians deposed from his

A.D. 658-667. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 23

bishopric, aad abbat Saxulf was there chosen to be bi&hop, and Cuthbald, a monk of the same monastery, was chosen abbat. This synod was held six hundi'cd and seventy -three years after the birth of our Lord.

A. 658. This year Kenwalk fought against the Welsh at Peonna [Pen] ; and he drove them as far as Pedrida, [Petherton ?] this was fought after he came from East- Anglia ; he was there three years in exile. Thither had Penda driven him. and deprived liim of his kingdom, because he had forsaken his sister.

A. 659.

A. 660. This year Bishop Agilbert departed from Ken- walk, and Wini held the bishopric* three years, and Agil- bert obtained the bishopric of Paris in France by the Seine.

A. 661. This year, during Easter, Kenwalk fought at Pontesbury, and Wulfhere, the son of Penda, laid the coun- try waste as far as Ashdown. And Cuthred the son of Cuichelm and king Cenbertl died in one year. And Wulfhere the son of Penda laid waste Wight, and gave the people of Wight to Ethelwald king of the Sontli- Saxons, because Wulfhere had been his sponsor at baptism. And Eappa the mass-priest, by the command of Wilfrid and King Wulfhere, was the first of men who brought baptism to the people of the Isle of Wight.

A. 662. 663.

A. 664. This year the sim was eclipsed on the 5th before the Nones of May ; J and Earconbert king of tlie Kentish-men died, and Egbert his son succeeded to the kingdom ; and Colman,§ with his companions, went to his country. The same year there was a gre-at pestilence in the island of Bri- tain, and bishop Ij Tuda died of the pestilence, and was buried at Wagele.^ And Chad and Wilfrid were oraained ; and the same year archbishop Deus-dedit died.

A. 665. 666.

A. 667. This year Oswy and I gbert sent Wi rhard

• Of Wessex, at Winchegter.

t " Father of Caedwalla, king of Wessex. See A. t;85." — Petri^. X May 3. "This happened on the 1st of Mav ; but the error »« Bede's." — Petrie.

I Bishop of Lindisfarne. H Of Lindiafarae. *J Cf. Bede 1. iii. c. 27.

24 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. 6G7-^:.

tlie priest to Rome, that he might there be conH< orated arch- bishop of Canterbury ; but he died soon after lie came thither.

A. 667. This year Wighard went to Rome, even as King Oswy and Egbert had sent him.

A. 668. This year Theodore was ordained an archbishop, and sent to Britain.

A. 669. This year king Egbert gave Reculver to Bas- the mass-priest, that he might build a minster thereon.

A. 670. This year Oswy king of the North-humbrian. d\e(^^ on the loth before the Kalends of ^larch ;* and Egfri( Ilia son reigned after him ; and Hlothere,| the nephew oi bishop Agilbert, obtained the bishopric over the West- Saxons, and held it seven years. Bishop Theodore conse- crated him. And OsWy was the son of Ethelfrid, Ethelfrid of Ethelric, Ethelric of Ida, Ida of Eoppa.

A. 67 L This year was the great destruction among the birds.

A. 672. This year king Kenwalk died, and Sexburga his queen reigned one year after him.

A. 673. This year Egbert, king of the Kentish-men died ; and the same year tliere was a Synod at Hertford, and Saint Etheldrida began the minster at Ely.

A. 674. This year Escwin succeeded to the kingdom of the West- Saxons ; he was the son of Cenfus, Cenfus of Cenferth, Cenferth of Cuthgils, Cuthgils of Ceolwulf, Ceol- wulf of Cynric, Cynric of Cerdic.

, A. 675. This year Wulfhere, the son of Penda, and Escwin, the son of Cenfus, fought at Beadan-head ; and the same year Wulfhere died, and Ethelred succeeded to the kingdom.

Now in his time he sent bishop Wilfrid to Rome to the pope that then was, he was called Agatho, and sliowed him l)y letter and by message how his brothers Peada and Wulf here, and Sexwulf theabbat, had built a minster, which was called Medeshamstede, and that they luid freed it against king and against bishop of all services ; and he besought him that he would assent to it with his rescript and with his blessing. And then the pope sent his rescript to England, thus saying :

• February 15th t Elouthenus, oisnop of WuLcheater.

A.D. 67.V THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 25

"I, Agatho, pope of Rome, greet well the worsliipful Ethelred, king of the Mercians, and the archbishop Theo- dore of Canterbury, and the bishop of the Mercians Sexwulf, who Avas foimerly abbat, and all the abbats who are in Eng- land, with the greeting of God and my blessing. I have heard the desire of king Ethelred, and of archbishop Theo- dore, and of bishop Sexwulf, and of abbat Cuthbald ; and it is my will that it be in all wise even as you liave spoken. And I ordain, on behalf of God and St. Peter, and of all saints, and of every person in orders, that neither king, nor bishop, nor earl, nor any man have any claim, nor any tribute, geld, or military service ; neither let any man exact any kind of service from the abbacy of Medeshamstede. I also ordain that the shire-bishop be not so bold that he perform any ordination or consecration within the abbacy unless the abbat beseech it of him, nor have any claim there for proxies, or synodals, or for any kind of thing. And it is my will that the abbat be holden as legate of Rome over all the island, and that wliatsoever abbat shall be there chosen by tlie monks, he be consecrated by the archbishop of Canter- bury. I will and concede that whatever man shall have made a vow to go to Rome, which he may be unable to fulfil, either from sickness or his Lord's need (of him), or from poverty, or be unable to come there from any other kind of need, be he of England, or of whatever other island he be, let him come to the minster at Medeshamstede, and have the same forgiveness of Christ and St. Peter, and of the abbat and of the monks, that he sliould have if he went to Rome. Now I beseech tliee, brother Theodore, that thou cause to be commanded throughout aD England, that a synod be gathered, and this decree, be read and observed. In like manner I command thee bishop Sexwulf, that even as thou didst desire that the minster be free, so I forbid thee and ah the bishops that shall come after thee, from Christ and all his saints, that ye have any claim upon the minster, except so far as ttie abbat shall be wilHng. Now will I say in a word, that whoso observeth this rescript and this decree, let him be ever dwelling with God Almighty in the kingdom of heaven ; and whoso breaketh through it, let him be excom- municated, and thrust down witli Judas and Wi^h all the devils in he'l unless he turn t: repentance. Aikicn I"

26 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d.676.

This rescript Pop^ Agatho and one hundred and twenty- five bishops sent to England by Wilfrid archbishop of York. This was done six hundred and eighty years after tlie birth oi' our Lord, and in the sixth year of king Ethelred.

The king then commanded the archbishop Theodore tliat he should appoint a meeting of all the witan at the place which is called Heathfield.* When they were there assembled, he caused the rescript to be read, which the pope liad sent thither, and they all assented to and fully con- firmed it.

Then said the king : " All those things which my brother Peada, and my brother Wulf here, and my sisters Kyneburg and Kyneswith, gave and granted to St. Peter and the abbat, it is my will shall stand ; and I will in my day increase it for the good of their souls and of my own. Now to-day I give St. Peter at his minster, Medeshamstede, these lands and all that lieth there adjoining ; that is to say, Bredon, Replugs, Cadney, Swineshead, Hanbury, Lodeshall, Scuffan- hall, Cosford, Stratford, Wattleburn, Lushgard, Ethelhun- island, Bardney. These lands I give St. Peter all as freely as I myself possessed them, and so that none of my succes- sors take anything therefrom. If any one shall do so, let him have the curse of the pope of Rome, and the curse of all bishops, and of all those who are here witnesses, and this I confirm with Christ's token.kj^" "I, Theodore, arch- bishop of Canterbury, am witness to this charter of Medes- hamstede, and I confirm it with my signature, and I excom- municate all those who shall break any part thereof, and I bless all those who shall observe It.hJ<" " I, Wilfrid, arch- bishop of York, I am witness to this charter, and I assent to the same curse.K^" " I, Sexwulf, who was first abbat and am now bishop, I give those my curse, and that of all my suc- cessors, who shall break through this." "I, Ostritha, wife of Ethelred, grant it." " I, Adrian, legate, assent to it.'* *' I, Putta, bishop of Rochester, 1 subscribe it." " I, Wald- here, bishop of London, confirm it." " 1, Cuthbald, abbat, assent to it. so that whoso shall break it, let him have the cursing of all bishops and of all Christian folk. Amen !"

A. 676. This year, in which Hedda succeeded to his bishop- nc ;f Escwin died, and Kentwin succeeded to the kingdom • Bishop's Hatfield. + Of Wcssex, or Winci)e<ii«ef.

AD. 677-685. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 27

ot' the West-Saxons : and Kentwin was the son of Cynegils, Cynegils of Ceolwulf. And Etheh-ed, king of the Mer- cians, laid waste Kent.

A. 677.

A. 678. This year the star (called) a comet appeared in August, and shone like a sunbeam every morning for tliree months ; and bishop Wilfrid was driven from his bishopric by King Egfrid ; and two bishops were consecrated in his stead ; Bosa to Deira. and Eata to Bernicia. And Eadlied was consecrated bishop over the men of Lindsey ; he was the first of the bishops of Lindsey.

A. 679. Tliis year Elfwin was slain near the Trent, u'here Egfrid and Ethelred fought ; and Saint Ethel- drida died. And Coldingham was burned by fire from heaven.

A. 680. This year archbishop Theodore appointed a synod at Heathfield, because he wished to set forth aright the Christian faith. And the same year Hilda, abbess of Whitby, died.

A. 681. This year Tumbert was consecrated bishop of Hexham, and Trumwine of the Picts, * for at that time they were subject to this country.

A. 682. Li this year Kentwin drove the Britons to the sea.

A. 683.

A. 684. Here in this year Egfrid sent an army against the Scots, and Beort his ealdorman with it, and miserably they plundered and burned the churches of God.

A. 685. This year king Egfrid commanded that Cuth- bert should be consecrated a bishop ; and on the first day of Easter, at York, archbishop Theodore consecrated him bishop of Hexham ; because Tumbert had been deposed from his bishopric. This year Casdwalla began to contend for the kingdom. Credwalla was the son of Cenbert, Cenbert of Cadda, Cadda of Cutha, Cutha of Ceawlin, Ceawlin of Cyn- ric, Cynric of Cerdic. And M ul was the brother of Ccedwalla, and he was afterwards burned in Kent. And the same year, on the 13th before the Kalends of June, king Egfrid was glain near the North-sea, and a great army with him He was king fifteen years, and Alfrid his brotlier succeeded to

* Whithem.

28 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. 685-690.

the kingdom after him. Egfrid was the son of Oswy, Oswj of Ethelfrid, Ethelfrid of EtheMc, Ethebic of Ida, Ida of Eoppa. And Lothere, king of the Kentish- men, died the same year. And John was consecrated bishop of Hexham, and he was there until Wilfrid returned. Afterwards John succeeded to the bishopric of York, for bishop Bosa was dead. Then, after that, Wilfrid* his priest was consecrated bishop of York, and John retired to his minster at Derewood.f This year it rained blood in Britain, and milk and butter were turned into blood.

A. 685. And in this same year Cuthbert was consecrated bishop of Hexham by archbishop Theodore at York, because bishop Tumbert had Seen driven from the bishopric.

A. 686. This year Casdwalla and Mul his brother laid waste Kent and Wight. This Csedwalla gave to St. Peter's minster at Medeshamstede, Hook, which is in an island called E£>borough ; the then abbat of the monastery was called Egbald. He was the third abbat after Sexwulf. At that time Theodore was archbishop in Kent.

A. 687. This year Mul was burned in Kent, and twelve other men with him ; and the same year Casdwalla again laid waste Kent.

A. 688. This year Ina succeeded to the kingdom of the West-Saxons, and held it thirty-seven years ; and he built the minster at Glastonbury ; and he afterwards went to Rome, arid there dwelt to the end of his days : and the same year Casdwalla went to Rome, and received baptism from the pope, J and the pope named him Peter ; and in about seven days he died. Now Lia was the son of Cenred, Cen- red of Ceolwald, Ceolwald was Cynegil's brother, and they were sons of Cuthwine the son of Ceawlin, Ceawlin of Cyn- ric, Cynric of Cerdic.

A. 688. This year king Caedwalla went to Rome, and received baptism of Pope Sergius, and he gave him the name of l*eter, and in about seven days afterwards, on the twelfth before the Kalends of May, while he was yet in his baptismal garments, he died ; and he was buried in St. Peter's church. And Ina succeeded to the kingdom of the West-Saxons afte him, and he reigned twenty-seven years.

A. 689.

A- 690. This year archbishop Theodore died ; he wrxj

"I" Beverley. X Sergius.

A.D. e:i-604. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 29

bisliop t\v;intv-two years, and he was buried at Cant('rbury ; and Bcrthvrald succeeded to the bishopric. Before tliis tlie bi.slioy)s had been Romans, but from this time tiiey were English.

A. 69L

A. 692. This year Berthwald was chosen archbishop on the Kalends of July ; he was before that abbat of Reculver. There were then two kings in Kent, Withred and Webherd [Suebhard].

A. 698. This year Berthwald was consecrated archbishop by Guodun, bishop of the Grauls, on the 5th before the Nones of July. * At this time Gebmund, bishop of Rochester, died, and archbishop Berthwald consecrated Tobias in his place ; and Drithelm departed this life.

A. 694. This year the Kentish-men compounded with Lia, and gave him thirty thousand pounds t for his friendship, because tliey had formerly burned Mul. And Witlired suc- ceeded to the kingdom of the Kentish-men, and held it thirty-three years. Withi-ed was the son of E^jbert, Eg- bert of Earconbert, Earconbert of Eadbald, Eadbald of Ethelbert.

As soon as he was king, he commande<l a great council to l>e assembled at the place which is called Baccancelde,J in whicii sat Withred, king of the Kentish-men, and Berthwald, the archbishop of Canterbury, and Tobias, bishop of Rochester, and with them were assembled abbats and abbesses, and many wise men, all to consult about the bettering of God's churches in Kent. Now began the king to speak, and said, " It is my will that all the minsters and the churches tliat were given and bequeathed to the glory of God in the days of faithful kings my predecessors, and in the days of my kins- men, of King Ethelbert a-nd those who followed after him,

♦ The 29th of June.

•f- " The reading of MSS. B and F, howevsr excessive the sum may ap- pear, has been placed in the text, because, unlike the 'thirty men' of A.Gt or the ' thirty thousand' of D.E, it is intelligible without haviug recourse to conjecture. The payment, whatever its amount may have been, was probably the legal compensation for tli-e death of Mul ... Of the early Latin \vriters, Ethelwald says, it was 30,000 solidi, * per singul w con'^tanti numero sexdecim nummis ;' Florence, of Worcester, 37^1' pouiids ; and Malmesbury, 30,000 maucuses, which, at eight to the pounl, vould agree with Florence." — Fetrie. X Beckenham, Kent.

30 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. A.D.e95-ro5.

do so remain to the glory of God, and firmlj cou^nne co tc all etr.i nitj for evermore. For I, Withred, an earthly king, instigated by the King of heaven, and burning with the zeal of righteousness, have learned from the institutes of our forefathers, that no layman has a right to possess himself of a church, nor of any of the things which belong to a church. And hence strictly and faithfully do we appoint and decree, and in the name of the Almighty God and of all his saints we forbid to all kings our successors, and to ealdormen, and all laymen any lordship whatever over the churches, and over all their possessions, which I, or my elders of olden days, have given as an everlasting inheritance to the glory of Clirist and of our lady St. Mary, and of the holy apostles. And observe, when it shall happen that a bishop, or an abbat, or an abbess, shall depart this life, let it be made known to the archbishop, and by liis counsel and advice, let such an one be chosen as shall be worthy. And let the archbishop inquire into the life and purity of him who is chosen to such a duty, and in nowise let any one be chosen to such a duty without the counsel of the archbishop. It is the duty of kings to appoint earls and ealdormen, shire-reeves and doomsmen, and of the archbishop to instruct and advise the community of God, and bishops, and abbats, and abbesses, priests and deacons, to choose and appoint, and consecrate and stablish them by good precepts and example, lest any of God's flock stray and be lost.

A. 695. 696.

A. 697. Tliis year the South-humbrians slew Ostritha, Ethelred's queen, Egfrid's sister.

A. 698.

A. 699. This year tlie Picts slew Beort the ealdorman.

A. 700. 701.

A. 702. This year Kenred succeeded to the kingdom of the South-humbrians.

A. 703. This year bishop Hedda died, and he held the bishopric at Winchester twenty-seven years.

A- 704. This year Ethelred the son of Penda, king of the Mercians, became a monk, and he had held the kingdom twenty-nine years ; then Kenred succeeded to it.

A. 70o. This year Alfrid king of the Nortli-humbrians died at Driffield on the nineteauth before the Kalends of

A.D. 706-718. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 31

January : and bishop Sexwuli'.* Then Osred Ids son succeeded to the kingdom.

A. 7()6.— 708.

A. 709. This year bishop Aldhehn died, he was bishop j on the west of Selwood ; and in tlie early days of Daniel the land of the West-Saxons was divided into two bishop-shires, and before that it had been one ; the one ^ Daniel held, the other § Aldhelm. After Aldhelni, Forthhere succeeded to it. And king Ceolred succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians ; and Kenred went to Rome, and Offa with him. And Kenred was there till the end of his life. And the same year bishop Wilfrid IJ died at Oundle, and his body was carried to Ripon ; he was bishop forty-five years ; him king Egfrid had formerly driven away to Rome.

A. 710. This year Acca, Wilfrid's priest, succeeded to the bishopric % which before he had held ; and the same year Bertfrid the ealdorman fought against the Picts between Ileugh and Carau. And Ina and Nun his kinsman fought against Gerent king of the Welsh ; and the same year Higbald was slain.

A. 71 L— 713.

A. 714. This year Saint Guthlac died, and king Pepin.

A. 715. This year Ina and Ceolred fought at Wanborough. This year died king Dagobert.

A. 716. This year Osred king of the North-humbrians was slain on the southern border ; he had the kingdom seven years after Alfrid; then Kenred succeeded to the kingdom, and held it two years, then Osric, who held it eleven years ; and the same year Ceolred king of the Mercians died, and his body lies at Lichfield, and Ethelred's the son of Penda at Bardney. Then Ethelbald succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians, and held it forty-one years. Ethelbald was the son of Alwy, Alwy of Eawa, Eawa of Pybba, whose genealogy is written before.** And that pious man Egbert converted the monks in the island of Hiito the right faith, so that they observed Easter duly, and the ecclesiastical tonsure.

A. 717.

A. 718. This year Ingild the brother of Lia died, and their sisters were Cvvenburga and Cuthburga. And Cuthburga

• Of Lichfield. t Of Sherborne. t Winchr.^er.

$ Sherborne. fl Of Hexham. ^ Hexliam. •*A. 626.

32 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.]>. r

19-731,

built the monasierj at Wimburn ; and she was given in marriage to Alfrid king of the North -liumbriang ; but they separated during his life-time.

A. 719. 720.

A. 72L This year bishop Daniel* went to Rome; and the same year Ina slew Cynewulf the etheling. And this year the holy bishop Johnf died; he was bishop tl .irty-three years, eight months, and thirteen days ; and his body rests at Beverley.

A. 722. This year queen Ethelburga razed Taunton, which Ina had previously built ; and Ealdbert the exile departed into Surry and Sussex, and Ina fought against the South- Saxons.

A. 723. 724.

A. 72o. This year Withred king of the Kentish-men died on the ninth before the Kalends of May ; he reigned thirty-fuur years ; his genealogy is above : and Egbert succeeded to the kingdom of Kent ; and Ina fought against the South- Saxons, and there slew Ealdbert the etheling, whom he before had driven into exile.

A. 726.

A. 727. This year Tobias bishop of Roche.ster died, and in his place archbishop Berthwald consecrated Aldwulf bishop.

A. 728. This year Ina went to Rome, and there gave (up) his life, and Ethelard his kinsman succeeded to the kingdom of the West- Saxons, and held it fourteen years. And the same year Ethelard and Oswald the etheling fought ; and Oswald was the son of Ethelbald, Ethelbald of Cynebald, Cynebald of Cuthwin, Cuthwin of Ceawlin.

A. 729. This year the star (called) a comet appeared, and Saint Egbert died in li.

A. 729. And the same year Osric died ; he was king eleven years ; then Ceolwulf succeeded to the kingdom, and held it eight yeara.

A. 730. This year Oswald the etheling died.

A. 731. This year Osric king of the North-humbrians was slain, and Ceolwulf succeed^^d to the kingdom, and held It eight years,J and Ceolwulf was the son of Cutha, Cutha Df Cuthwin, Cutlntvin of Leodwald, Leodwald of Egwald,

• Of Winton. + Of York.

J Osric's death is rightly placed by another .MS. in 729.

A.D. 732-741. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 33

Egwald of Aldlielm, Aldhelm of Ocga, Ocga of Ida, Ida of Eoppa. And archbishop Berthwald died on the Ides of January ;* he was bishop thirty-seven years six months and fourteen days. And the same year Tatwine was con- secrated archbishop ;^ he had been before a priest at Bredon among the Mercians. Daniel bishop of Winch-ester, and Ingwald bishop of London, and Aldwin bishop of Lichfield, and Aldwulf bishop of Rochester consecrated him on thb tentli of June : he had the archbishopric three years.

A. 732.

A. 733. This year Ethelbald conquered Somerton ; and the sun was eclipsed, and the whole disc of the sun was like a black shield. And Acca was driven from his bishopric. J

A. 734 This year the moon was as if it had been sprinkled with blood ; and archbishop Tatwine and Bede died, and Egbert was consecrated bishop. §

A. 735. This year bishop Egbert received his pall at Rome.

A. 736. This year archbishop Nothelm received his pall from the bishop of the Romans. ||

A. 737. This year bishop Forthere,^ and queen Fritho- githa** went to Rome. And king Ceolwulf j f received Peter's tonsure, and gave his kingdom to Eadbert, his uncle's son ; he reigned twenty-one years ; and bishop Ethelwaldl| and Acca died, and Conwulf was consecrated bishop. § § And the same year king Ethelbald laid waste the land of the North- humbrians.

A. 738. This year Eadbert the son of Eata, Eata being the son of Leodwald, succeeded to the kingdom of the North- humbrians, and held it twenty-one years. His brother was archbishop § Egbert the son of Eata ; and they both rest in one porch in the city of York.

A. 739. 740.

A. 741. This year king Ethelard died, and Cuthred his kinsman succeeded to the kingdom of the West-Saxons, and held it sixteen years ; and he contended strenuously against Ethelbald king of the Mercians. And archbishcp

♦ The i3th of Jinuary. f Of Canterbury. J Hexham.

$ Of York. II Greg. III. % Of Wjit-fiu.

*• Of Wessex. {■+ Of Northumbria.

tX Of Lim]isia3T.e. § § Of York.

34 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. 742-754.

Nothelm* died, and Cuthbert was consecrated archbishop 1 and Dun bishop to Rochester. This year York was burnt.

A. 742. This year a great synod was held at Cloveshou ; and there was Ethelbald king of the Mercians, and archbishop Cuthbert, and many other wise men.

A. 743. This year Ethelbald king of the Mercians, and Cuthred king of the West -Saxons, fought against the Welsh.

A. 744. This year Daniel gave up the see of Winchester, and Hunferth succeeded to the bishopric : and stars were Been to shoot rapidly : and Wilfrid the younger, f who was bishop of York, died on the third before the Kalends of May ; J he was bishop thirty years.

A. 745. This year Daniel died : then forty- three years had elapsed since he obtained the bishopric.

A. 746. This year king Selred was slain,

A. 747.

A. 748. This year Cynric the etheling of the West- Saxons was slain : and Eadbert king of the Kentish-men died ; and Ethelbert, the son of king Withred, succeeded to the kingdom.

A. 749.

A. 750. This year Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons, fought against Ethelhun, the proud ealdorman.

A. 751.

A. 752. This year Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons, in the twelfth year of his reign, fought at Burford against Ethelbald king of the Mercians, and put him to flight.

A. 753. This year Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons, fought against the Welsh.

A. 754. This year Cuthred, king of the West- Saxons, died ; and Kineward obtained the bishopric of Winchester, after Hunferth : and the same year Canterbury was burned : and Sigebert his kinsman succeeded to the kingdom of the West- Saxons, and held it one year.

A. 755. This year Cynewulf, and the West-Saxon ^witan '

• Of Canterbury.

t Wilfrid the second, archbishop of York, is apparently confounded with the bishop of Worcester of the same name. The former vai ■ucceeded by Egbert in 734. See A. 734 and 776, and Bede, p. 299.

I The 29th of April.

A.D.755. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 35

deprived his kinsman Sigebert of his kingdom, except Hampsliire, for his unjust doings ; and that lie hckl until he slew the ealdorman wlio longest abode by him. And then Cynewulf drove him into Andred, and he abode there until a swine-herd stabbed him at Privets-flood [Frivett, Hamp- sliire], and avenged tlie ealdorman Cumbra.

And Cynewulf fought very many battles against the Welsh ; and after he had held the kingdom about one and iliirty years, he purposed to expel an etheling, who was named Cyneard : and Cyneard was Sigebert's brother. And he then learned that the king with a small band was gone to Merton to visit a woman ; and he there beset him and surrounded the chamber on every side, before the men who were with the king discovered him. And when the king perceived this, he went to the door, and there manfully defended himself, until he beheld the etheling, and then he rushed out upon him and sorely wounded him ; and they all continued fighting against the king until they had slain him.

And upon tliis, the king's thanes having discovered the affray by the woman's cries, each, as he was ready, and with liis utmost speed ran to the spot. And the etheling offered money and life to each of them, and not one of them would accept it ; but they continued fighting till they all fell, except one, a British hostage, and he was sorely wounded.

Then upon the morrow, the king's thanes, whom he had left behind him, heard that the king was slain, then rode they thither, and Osric his ealdorman, and Wiferth his thane, and the men whom he had previously left behind. And at the town wherein the king lay slain they found the etheling, and those within had closed the gates against them ; but they then went onward And he then offered them their own choice of land and money if they would grant liim the kingdom, and showed them that their kinsman were with him, men who would not desert him. And they then said, that no kinsman was dearer to them than their lord, and that they never would follow his murderer. And they then bade their kinsmen tnat they should go away from him in safety ; but they said that the same had been bidden their companions who before that had been with the king ; then they said, tliMS they no more j^uiddd it 'than your companions who were

36 THE AXGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. Ts.^rei.

slain with the king.' And then they continued fifrhting around the gates until they made their way in, and slew the etiieling, and all the men who were whh him, except one who was the ealdorman's godson ; and he escaped with life, though he was wounded in several places.

And Cynewulf reigned thirty-one years, and his body lies at Winchester, and thp etheling's at Axminster ; and their riglit paternal kin reaches to Cerdic.

And the same year Ethelbald king of the Mercians was slain at Seckington, and his body lies at Repton, and he . reigned forty-one years ; and Bernred obtained the kingdom, and held it a little while and unhappily. And the same year Offa drove out Bernred and obtained the kingdom, and held it thirty-nine years ; and his son Egfert held it one hundred and forty- one days. OfFa was the son of Thingferth, Thingferth of Enwulf, Enwulf of Osmod, Osmod of Eawa, Eawa of Pybba, Pybba of Creoda. Creoda of Cynewald, Cynewald of Cnebba, Cnebba of Icel, Icel of Eomaer, Eomger of Angeltheow, Angel theow of Offa, Oifa of Weermund, Weermund of Wihtlteg, Wihtlaeg of Woden.

A. 755. This year C\Tiewulf deprived king Sigebert of his kingdom ; and Sigebert's brother, Cynehard by name, slew Cynewulf at Merton ; and he reigned thirty-one years. And in the same year Ethelbald king of the Mercians was slain at Re])ton. And Otfu succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians, Bernred being driven out.

A. 756.

A. 7o7. This year Eadbert king of the North-humbrians was shorn, and his son Oswulph succeeded to the kingdom, and reigned one year ; and he was slain by his household on the eighth before the Kal. of August.*

A. 758. This year archbishop Cuthbert died ; and he held tlie archbishopric eighteen years.f

A. 759. TMs year Bregowin was ordained archbishop at St. Michael's-tide, and held the see four years. And Moll Kthelwald succeeded to the kingdom of the Northhum- Ijrians, and reigned six years, and then resigned it.

A. 760. This year Ethelbert king of the Kentish-men died ; he was the son of king Withred : and Ceclwulf also died.

A. 761. This year was the severe winter ; and Moll king • The 25th o/ July f Of CaLterbxi y.

A.D. 762-777. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 37

of the Nortli-humbrians slew Oswin at Edwin's Cliff on the eighth before the Ides ol' August.

A. 762. This year archbishop * Bregowin died.

A. 763. Tiiis year Lambert was ordained archbishop (in the fortieth day after mid-winter,| and held the see twenty-«ix years. And Frithwald bishop of Whitherne died on the Nones of May. J He was consecrated at York on the eighteenth before the Kal. of September, § in the sixth year of Ceolwulf's reign, and he was bishop twenty-nine years. Then Petwin was consecrated bishop of Whitherne at Adlingfleet, on the sixteenth before the Kalends of August.]

A. 764. This year archbishop Lambert received his pall.

A. 765. This year Alcred succeeded to the kingdom of the North-humbrians, and reigned nine years.

A. 766. Tliis year died archbishop Egbert at York on the 1 3th before the Kalends of December ; he was bishop rhirty-seven years ; and Fritlibert at Hexham ; he was bishop thirty-three years ; and Ethelbert was consecrated to York, and Alhmund to Hexham.

A. 767.

A. 768. This year king Eadbert the son of Eata, died on the thirteenth before the Kalends of September.

A. 769.— 77L

A. 772. This year bishop Milred % died.

A. 773. This year a fiery crucifix appeared in the heavens after sunset : and the same year the Mercians and the Kentish-men fought at Otford ; and wondrous adders were seen in the land of the South- Saxons.

A. 774. This year at Easter-tide, the North-humbrians drove their king Alcred from York, and took Ethelred, the son of Moll, .to be their lord ; he reigned four years.

A. 775.

A. 776. This year bishop Petwin** died on the thir- teenth before the Kalends of October ; he was bishop four- teen years.

A. 777. This year Cynewolf and Offa fought about Ben- ftington, and Ofia took the town ; and the same year, oa

• Canterbury. t The 2nd of February.

+ The 7th of Mav. § Tlie 15th of August.

} The 1 7th of Jilly. ni Of Worcester. •• Oi Wliitlieme.

38 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. 777-730.

the seventeenth before the Kalends of July, Ethelbert was consecrated at York bishop of Whitherne.

In the days of king OtFa there was an abbat of Medesham- stede called Beonna. The same Beoniia, by the consent ol all the monks of the minster, let to Cuthbert the ealdorman ten copy-lands at Swineshead, with lease, and with meadow, and with all that lay thereto, and on this condition : that Cuthbert should give the abbat therefore fifty pounds, and each year one day's entertainment, or thirty shillings in money ; and furthermore, that after his decease the land should return to the minster. The witnesses of this were king OfFa, and king Egfert, and archbishop Higbert,* and bishop Ceolwulf, and bishop Inwona, and abbat Beonna, and many other bishops and abbats, and many other great men. In the days of this same OfFa there was an ealdorman who was called Brorda. He desired of the king that for love of him he would free a minster of his called Woking, because he wished to give it to Medeshamstede, and St. Peter, and the abbat tliat then was, who was called Pusa. Pusa succeeded Beonna, and the king loved him greatly. And the king then freed the minster Woking, against king, and against bishop, and against earl, and against all men, so that no one should have any claim there except St. Peter and the abbat. This was done in the king's town called Free- iiichburn.

A. 778. This year Ethelbald and Herbert slew three liigh-reeves ; Edulf, the son of Bosa, at Kings-cliif, and Cynewolf and Egga at Helathyrn, on the eleventh before the Kalends of April : and then Alfwold obtained the kingdom, | and drove Ethelred out of the country ; and he reigned ten years.

A. 779.

A. 780. This year the Old-Saxons and the Franks fought ; and the high-reeves of the North -hunibrians burned Bern the ealdorman at Silton, on the eightli before the Kalends of January : and archbisliop Ethelbert died at York, in whose place Eanbald was consecrated ; and bishop Cynewolf gave up tlie bishopric of Lindisfarne. This year Alhmund, bishop of Hexham, died on the seventh before the Ides of beptember, and Tilbert was consecrated in his place on the • Of Lichrield! t I^orthumbria.

A.D. 781-789. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 33

sixth before the Nones of October; and Higbald was ccnse- ci-ated at Sockbury bishop of Lindisfarne ; and king Alfwold sent to Rome for a pall, and invested Banbald as archbishop.

A. 781.

A. 782. This year died Werburh, Ceolred's queen, and Cynewolf, bishop of Lindisfarne ; and there was a synod at Acley.

A. 783.

A. 784. This year Cyneard slew king Cynewolf, and was himself there slain, and eighty-four men with him; and then Bertric obtained the kingdom of the West- Saxons, and he reigned sixteen years, and his body lies at Wareham ; and his right paternal kin reaches to Cerdic. At this time king Elmund reigned in Kent. This king Elmund was the father of Egbert, and Egbert was father of Athulf.

A. 785. This year abbat Bothwin died at Ripon ; and this year there was a contentious synod at Chalk-hythe, and archbishop Lambert gave up some portion of his bishopric, and Higbert was elected by king OfFa ; and Egfert was consecrated king. And at this time messengers were sent from Rome by pope Adrian to England, to renew the faith and the peace which St. Gregory had sent us by Augustine tlie bishop ; and they were worshipfully received, and sent away in peace.

A. 786.

A. 787. This year king Bertric took to wife Eadburga, king OiFa's daughter ; and in his days first came three ships of Northmen, out of Hasretha-land [Denmark]. And then the reve* rode to the place, and would liave driven them to the king's town, because he knew not who they were : and they there slew him. These were the first ships of Danish- men which sought the land of the English nation.

A. 788. This year a synod was assembled in the land of the North-humbrians at Eingall, on the 4th before the Nones of September ; and abbat Albert died at Ripon.

A. 789. This year Alfwold, king of the Northumbrians, was slain by Siga on the 8th before the Kalends of October ; and a heavenly light was frequently seen at the place where he was slain ; and he was buried at Hexham within the church ; and Osred, the son of Alcred succeeded to the • Sin:e cidled sheriff ; i. e. the reve^ at stewaxd of tne shire. — Ingram.

40 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. 7s»-794.

kingdom after him : he was his nephew. And a synod was assembled at Acley.

A. 790. This year archbishop Lambert died, and the same year abbat Athelard was chosen archbisliop.* And Osred, king of the North-humbrians, was betrayed, arnl driven from the kingdom ; and Etheh'ed, the son of Ethel- wald, again obtained the government.

A. 79 L This year Baldulf was consecrated bishop of Whitherne, on the 16th before the Kalends of August, by archbishop Eanbald,f and by bishop Ethelbert. J

A. 792. This year OiFa, king of the Mercians, commanded the head of king Eth-elbert § to be struck off. And Osred, who had been king of the Northumbrians, having come home after his exile, was seized and slain on the 18th before the Kalends of October ; and his body lies at Tinemouth. And king Ethelred took a nev/ wife, who was called Elfleda, on the 3rd before the Kalends of October.

A. 793. This year dire forwarnings came over the land of the North-humbrians, and miserably terrified the people ; these were excessive whirlwinds, and lightnings ; and fiery dragons were seen flying in the air. A great famine soon followed these tokens ; and a little after that, in the same year, on the 6th before the Ides of January, the ravaging of heathen men lamentably destroyed God's church at Lindis- farne through rapine and slaughter. And Siga died on the 8th before the Kalends of March.

A. 794. This year Pope Adrian || and king Offa died ; and Ethelred, king of the North-humbrians, was slain by his own people on the 13th before the Kalends of May ; and bishop Ceolwulf ^ and bishop Eadbald went away from the land. And Egfert succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians and died the same year. And Eadbert, who by a second name was named Pren, obtained the kingdom of Kent. And Ethelherd the ealdorman died on the Kalends of Au- gust ; and the heathens ravaged among the North-humbrians, and plundered Egfert's monastery at the mouth of the Wear ; and there one of their leaders was slain, and also some of their ships were wrecked by a tempest ; and many of them

• Of Canterbury. t Of York.

t Of H^-xh;nn. $ Of East Ang'A.

H Fop<i Aiiruvji died Decembe 2otb, 795. % Of Liudsev*

A.D.79&-796. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 41

were there dro-vvned, and some came on shore alive, and they were soon shiin at the river's mouth.

A. 79o. This year the moon was eclipsed between cock- crowing and dawn, on tlie oth before the Kalends of April ; and Eardulf succeeded to the kingdom of the North-hum brians on the 2nd before the Ides of May ; and he was afterwards con- secrated king, and raised to his throne on the 8th before the Kalends of June, at York, by archbishop Eanbald, and bishop Ethelbert,* and Higbald,']* and Badulf,J bishops.

A. 796. This year Kenulf, king of the Mercians, laid waste Kent as far as the marshes, and took Pren their king, and led him bound into Mercia, and let his eyes be picked out and his hands be cut off. And Athelard, archbishop of Canterbury, appointed a synod, and confirmed and ratified, by the command of Pope Leo, all the things respecting God's ministers which were appointed in Withgar's days, and in other kings' days, and thus sayeth :

"I, Athelard, the humble archbishop of Canterbury, by the unanimous counsel of the whole synod, and with ... of all . . . to the congregation of all the ministers to which in old days immunity was given by faithful men, in the name of God, and by his awful doom, I command, as I have com- mand of Pope Leo, that henceforth none dare to choose for themselves lords over God's heritage from amongst laymen. But even as it stands in the rescript which the pope has given, or those holy men have appointed who are our fathers and instructors concerning holy minsters, tfius let them con- tinue inviolate, without any kind of gainsaying. If there be any man wlio will not observe this ordinance of God, and of our pope, and ours, and who despiseth and holdeth it for nought, let him know that he shall give account before the judgment-seat of God. And I, Athelard, archbishop, with twelve bishops, and three and twenty abbats, do confirm and ratify this same with Christ's rood-token."

And archbishop Eanbald died on the 4tli before the Idea of August of the same year^ and his body lies at York ; and the same year died bishop Ceolwulf ;§ and a second Ean-

• Of IlexhHUu + TJndisfarne.

X W hiU\cyfA9. I Of Lind«)y.

42 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. 796^02.

bald was consecrated in the place of the other on the 19th before the Kalends of September.

A. 796. This year OfFa, kint^ of the Mercians, died en the 4th before tJie Kalends of Augxist ; he rei^jned forty years.

A. 797. This year the Romans cut out the tongue of Pope ' ^, and put out his eyes, and drove him from his see ; and fton afterwards, God helping, he was able to see and speak, «nd again was pope as he before was. And Eanbald re- ceived his pall on the 6th before the Ides of September ; and bishop Ethelbert* died on the 17th before the Kalends of No- vember ; and Heandred was consecrated bishop in his place on the 3rd before the Kalends of November ; and bishop Alfun died at Sudbury, and he was buried in Dunwich, and Tidfrith was chosen after him ; and Siric, king of the East Saxons, went to Rome. In this same year the body of Wit- burga was found at Dereham, all whole and uncorrupted, five and fifty years after she had departed from this life.

A. 798. This year there was a great fight at Whalley in the land of the North-humbrians, during Lent, on the 4th before the Nones of April, and there Alric, the son of Her- bert, was slain, and many others with him.

A. 799. This year archbishop Athelardf and Kenebert bishop of the West-Saxons,J went to Rome.

A. 800. This year, on the 17th before the Kalends of February, the moon was eclipsed at the second hour of the night. And king Bertric and Worr the ealdorman died, and Egbert succeeded to the kingdom of the West- Saxons. And the same day Ethelmund, ealdorman, rode over from the Wiccians, at Cynemaeresford [Kempsford]. Then Wox- tan the ealdorman with the men of Wiltshire met him. There was a great fight, and both the ealdormen were slain,, and the men of Wiltshire got the victory.

A. 801.

A. 801. This year Beommod was ordained bishop of Rochester.

A. 802. This year on the 13th before the Kalends of January the moon was eclipsed at dawn ; and Beornraod was ordained bishop of Rochester. §

• Of Hexham. f Of CHiiterbury $ Winchester.

4 Placed in 801 by another Mo«

A.D. 803-819. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 4o

A. 803. This year died Higbald bishop of Lindisfarne on

the 8th before the Kulends of Jul/, and Egbert U. was con- iiccrated in his stead on the 3d before the Ides of June ; and this year archbishop Athehird died in Kent, and Wulfred was ordained archbishop ; and abbat Forthred died.

A. 804. This year archbishop Wulfred received his pall.

A. 805. This year king Cuthred died among the Kentish- men, and Colburga abbess,* and Herbert the ealdorman.

A. 806. This year the moon was eclipsed on the Kalends of September : and Eardulf king of the North-humbrians was driven from his kingdom ; and Eanbert bishop of Hex- ham died. Also in the same year, on the 2d before the Nones of June, a cross appeared in the moon on a Wednesday at dawn ; and afterwards in this year, on the third before the Kalends of September, a wonderful circle was seen about the. sun.

A. 807. 808.

A. 809. This year the sun was eclipsed At the beginning of tlie fifth hour of the day on the 17th before the Kalends of Auixust, the 2d day of the week, the 29th of the moon.

A. 810. 8U.

A. 812. This year king Charlemagne died, and he reigned five and forty years ; and archbishop Wulfred and Wigbert bishop of the West-Saxons f both went to Rome.

A. 813. This year archbishop Wulfred, with the blessing of pope Leo, returned to his own bishopric ; and the same yoar king Egbert laid waste West- Wales from eastward to westward.

A. 814. This year the noble and holy pope J Leo died, and after him Stephen succeeded to the popedom.

A. 815.

A. 816. This year pope Stephen died, and after him I^aschal was ordained pope ; and the same year the English school at Rome§ was burned.

A. 817. 818.

A. 819. This year Kenulf king of the Mercians died,

• Of Berkeley. f Sherborne.

} Leo 111. died 11th June 816. Eginhard, Arm. Stephen IV. was con- tiecrated on the '22d of the same month.

$ The An;^^Ie-Scho()l was a quarter near St. Peter's, where the English pili^rims at Rome resided. According to Anastasius, they called it their Borough,' (burgus). V. Anastas. Bihliothecar. de Vita Stephani i *'.

44 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. 820-S27.

and Ceolwiilf succeeded to the kingdom ; and Eadbert the ealdorman died.

A. 820.

A. 82 L This year Ceolwulf was deprived of his king- dom.*

A. 822. This year two ealdormen, Burhelm and Mucca, were slain ; and there was a synod at Cloveshoo.

A. 823. Tliis year there was a battle between the Welsh and the men of Devon at Camelford :'\ and the same year Eg- bert king of the West- Saxons and Bernulf king of the Mercians fought at Wilton, and Egbert got the victory, and there was great slaughter made. He then sent from the army his son Ethelwulf, and Ealstan his bishop,^ and Wulf iierd his ealdorman, into Kent with a large force, and they drove Baldred the king northwards over tlie Thames. And the men of Kent, and the men of Surrey, and tlie South- Saxons, and the East- Saxons, submitted to him ; for for- merly they had been unjustly forced from his kin. And the same year the king of the East- Angles and the people sought tlie alliance and protection of king Egbert for dread of the Mercians ; and the same year the East- Angles slew Bernulf king of Mercia.

A. 824.

A. 825. This year Ludecan king of the Mercians was slain, and his five ealdormen with hmi ; and Withlaf succeeded tc the kinofdom.

A. 826.

A. 827. This year the moon was eclipsed § on the mass- night of midwinter. And the same year king Egbert conquered the kingdom of the Mercians, and all that was south of the Humber ; and he was the eighth king who was Bretwalda. ^Ua king of the South- Saxons was the first who had thus much dominion ; the second was Ceawlin king of the West- Saxons ; the third was Ethelbert king cf the Kentish-men ; the fourth was Redwald king of tlie East- Ajigles ; the fifth was Edwin king of the North-liumbrians ; tiie sixth was Oswald who reigned after liim ; the seventh v/as Oswy, Oswald's brother ; the eighth was Egbert king cf the West- Saxons. And Egbert led an army to l>ore

• Mercia. + In Cornwall. I^ Sherborne.

$ The eclipse happened on tJie 'loth of D<»oember, ii2ii.

A.D. 823-836. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 45

against the North-humbn'ans, and they there offered him obedience and allegiance, and with that tliey separated.

A. 828. This year Withhif again obtained the kingdom of the Mercians, and bisliop Ethehvald* died ; and the same year king Egbert led an army against the North-Welsh, and he forced them to obedient subjection.

A. 829. Thiff^, year archbishop Wult'red died, and after him abbat Theologild was chosen to the archbishopric.f on the 7th before the Kalends of May ; and he was consecrated upon a Sunday, the oth before the Ides of June : and he died on the 3rd before the Kalends of September.

A. 830. This year Ceolnoth was chosen bishop, J and or* dained ; and abbat Theologild died.

A. 83 L This year archbishop Ceolnoth received his pall.

A. 832. This year the heathen men ravaged Sheppey.

A. 833. This year king Egbert fought against the men (A thirty-five ships at Charmouth, and there was great slaughter made, and the Danish-men maintained possession of the field. And Herefrith§ and Wigthun, || two bishops, died ; and Dudda and Osmod, two ealdormen, died.

A. 834.

A. 835. This year a great hostile fleet came to the West- Welsh,^ and tliey united together, and made w^ar upon Eg bert king of the ^Vest-Saxons. As soon as he heard of it he went thither with an army, and fought against them at Hengeston, and there he put to flight both the Welsh and the Danish-men.

A. 836. This year king Egbert died ; before he was king, Offa king of the Mercians, and Bertric, king of the West-Saxons, drove him out of England into France for thi'ee years ; and Bertric assisted Offa, because he had his daughter for his queen. And Egbert reigned thirty-seven years and seven months : and Ethelwulf the son of Eg- bert succeeded to the kingdom of the West-Saxons ; and he gave his son Athelstan the kingdoms of the Kentish-men, and of the East- Saxons, and of the men of Surrey, and of the South- Saxons.

A. 836. And Ethelstan his other son succeeded to the kingdom of the Kentish-men, and to Surrey, and to the kingdom of the South-Saxons.

• Of Lichfield, f Of Canterbury. J Of Canterlury

§ Of Seleey. U Of WiEchester. -^ Corn wall.

46 THE AXGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. 837-851.

A. 837. This year Wulfherd the ealdorman fought at Ilamtun [Southampton], against the forces of thirty-five si lips, and there made great slaughter, and got the victory : and the same year Wulfherd died. And the same year Ethelhehn the ealdorman fought against the Danish army at Portland-isle vrith the men of Dorset, and for a good while he put the enemy to flight ; but the Danish-men had possession of the field, and slew the ealdorman.

A. 838. This year Herebert the ealdorman was slain "by the heathen men, and many with him among the Marsh- men ; and afterwards, the same year, in Lindsey, and in East-Anglia, and in Kent, many men were slain by the enemy.

A. 839. This year there was great slaughter at London, and at Canterbury, and at Rochester.

A. 840. This year king Ethelwulf fought at Charmouth against the crews of thirty-five ships, and the Danish-men maintained possession of the field. And Louis the emperor died.

A. 841.— 844.

A. 845. This year Eanwulf the ealdorman, with the men of Somerset, and bishop Ealstan,* and Osric the ealdor- man, with the men of Dorset, fought at the mouth of the Parret against the Danish army, and there made great slaughter, and got the victory.

A. 846.— 850.

A. 851. This year Ceorl the ealdoniian, with the men of Devonshire, fought against the heathen men at Wembury,t and there made great slaughter and got the victory. And the same year king Athelstan and Elchere the ealdormen fought on shipboard, and slew a great number of the enemy at Sandwich in Kent, and took nine ships, and put the others to flight ; and the heathen men, for the first time, remained over winter in Thanet. And the same year came three hundred and fifty ships to the mouth of the Thames, and the crews landed and took Canterbury and London by storm, and put to flight BerthAvulf, king of the Mercians, with his army, and then went south over the Thames into Surrey ; mid there king Ethelwulf and his son Ethelbald, with the oniiy of the West- Saxons, fought against them at Ockley, • Of Sherborne. t Near Plvmouth.

A.D.852 855. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 47

ond there made the greatest slaughter among the heathen army that we have heard reported to the present day, and there got the victory.

A. 852. At this time Ceolred, abbat of Medeshamstede and the monks let to Wulfred tlie land of Sempringham, on this condition, that after his decease the laiKl should return to the minster, and that Wulfred should give the land of Sleaford to Medeehamstede, and each year should deliver into the minster sixty loads of wood, and twelve of coal and six of faggots, and two tuns full of pure ale, and two beasts fit for slaughter, and six hundred loav(>s, and ten measures of Welsh ale, and each year a horse, and thirty shillings, and one day's entertainment. At this agreement were present king Burhred, and archbishop Ceolred, and bishop Tunbert, and bishop Cenred, and bishop Aldhun, and abbat AVitred, and abbat Werthcrd, and Ethelherd, the ealdorman, and Hunbert, the ealdorman, and many others.

A. 853. This year Burhred, king of the Mercians, and his council, begged of king Ethelwulf tliat he would assist liim so that he might make the North-Welsh obedient to him. He then did so ; and went with an army across ]\ler- cia among the North- Welsh, and made them all obedient to him. And the same year king Ethelwulf sent his son Alfred to Rome. Leo [IV.] was then pope of Rome ; and he consecrated him king, and took him for his son at confir- mation. Then, in the same year, Ealhere, with the men of Kent, and Huda, with the men of Surry, fought in Tlianet, against the heathen army ; and at first they were victorious ; and many there were slain, and drowned on either hand, and both the ealdormen were killed. And upon this after Easter Ethelwulf, king of the West-Saxons, gave his daughter to Burhred king of the Mercians.

A. 854.

A. 855. This year the heathen men, for the first time, remained over winter in Sheppey : and the same year king Ethelwulf gave by charter the tenth part of his land throughout -his realm for the glory of God and his own eternal salvation. And the same year he went to Rome in great state, and dwelt there twelve months, and then r»*- tumed homewards. And then Charles, king of the Frani;:^

48 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. 85s-m.

gave him his daughter to w4fe ; and after that he came to his people, and they were glad of it. And about two years after he came from France he died, and his body lies at Win- chester. And he reigned eighteen years and a half. And Ethelwulf was tlie son of Egbert, Egbert of Elmund, Elmund of Eafa, Eafa of Eoppa, Eoppa of Ingild ; Ii gild was Ina's brother, king of the West- Saxons, he who held the kingdom tliirty-seven years, and afterwards went to St. Peter, and there resigned his life ; and they were the sons of Kenred, Kenred of Ceolwald, Ceolwald of Cutha, Cutha of Cuthwin, Cuthwin of Ceawlin, Ceawlin of Cynric, Cynric of Cerdic, Cerdicof Elesa, Elesa of Esla, Eslaof Gewis, Gewis of Wig, Wig of Freawin, Freawin of Frithogar, Frithogar of Brond, Brond of Beldeg, Beldeg of Woden, Woden of Fritliowald, Frithowald of Frealaf, Frealaf of Frithuwulf. Frithuwulf of Finn, Finn of Godwulf, Godwulf of Geat, Geat of Tcetwa, Tcetwa of Beaw, Beaw of Sceldi, Sceldi of Heremod, Heremod of Itermon, Itermon of Hatlira, Hathra of Guala, Guala of Bedwig, Bedwig of Sceaf, that is, the son oi Noah, he was born in Noah's ark ; Lamech, Methusidem, Enoh, Jared, Malalahel, Cainion, Enos, Seth, Adam the first man,- and our Father, that is, Christ. Amen. Then Ethelwulf's two sons succeeded to the kingdom ; Ethelbald succeeded to the kingdom of the West-Saxons ; and Ethelbert to the kingdom of the Kentish-men, and to the kingdom of the East-Saxons, and to Surry, and to the kingdom of the South-Saxons ; and then Ethelbald reigned five years. Alfred nis tliird son he had sent to Rome : and when Pope Leo f^^-J heard say that Ethelwulf was dead, he consecrated Alfred king, and held him as his spiritual son at confirmation, even as his father Ethelwulf had requested on sending him thither.

A. 853. And on his return homewards he took to (wife) the daughter of Charles, king of the French, whose name was Judith, and he came home safe. And then in about two years he died, and his body lies at Winchester ; and he reigned eighteen years and a half, and he was the son of Egbert. And then his two sons succeeded to the kingdom ; Ethel- bald to the kingdom of the West-Saxons, and Ethelbert to the kingdom of the Kentish-men, and of the East-Saxons, and of Surry, and of the South-Saxons. And he reigned tive years.

A. So6.— 869.

A. H60. This year died king Etlielbald, and his body lies

A.D.881-S68. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 49

at Sherborne ; and Ethelbert si»cceeded to all the realm of his brother, and he held it in goodly concord and in great tranquillity. And in his days a large fleet came to land, and tlie crews stornied Winchester. And Osric the ealdorman, with the men of Hampshire, Ethelwulf the ealdorman, with the men of Berkshire, fought against the army, and put them to flight, and had possession of the place of carnage. And Ethelbert reigned five years, and his body lies at Sherborne.

A. 861. This year died St. Swithun the bishop.*

A. 862.-864.

A. 865. This year the heathen army sat down in Thanet, and made peace with the men of Kent, and the men of Kent promised them money for the peace ; and during the peace and the promise of money the army stole away by night, and ravaged all Kent to the eastward.

A. 866. This year Ethelred, Ethelbert's brother, suc- ceeded to the kingdom of the West- Saxons : and the same year a great heathen army came to the land of the English nation, and took up their winter quarters among the East- Angles, and there they were horsed ; and the East- Angles made peace with them.

A. 867. This year the army went from East-Anglia over the mouth of the Humber to York in North-humbria. And there was much dissension among that people, and they had cast out their king Osbext, and had taken to themselves a king, ^lla, not of royal blood ; but late in the year they re- solved that they would fight against the army ; and therefore they gathered a large force, and sought the army at the town of York, and stormed the town, and some of them got within, and there was an excessive slaughter made of the North- humbrians, some within, some without, and the kings were both slain : and the remainder made peace with the army. And the same year bishop Ealstan died; and he had the bishopric of Sherborne fifty years, and his body lies in the town.

A. 868. This year the same army went into Mercia to

Nottingham, and there took up their winter quarters. And

Burhred king of the Mercians, and his 'witan,' begged of

Ethelred king of the West- Saxons, and of Alfred his brother,

• Winchester. „

50 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. m

S70

that they would help them, that they might fight against the army. And then they went with the West- Saxon power into Mercia as far as Nottingham, and there met with the army within the fortress ; and besieged them therein : but there was no great battle; and the Mercians made peace with the army.

A. 869. This year the army again went to York, and sat there one year.

A. 870. This year the army rode across Mercia into East- Anglia, and took up their winter quarters at Thetford : and tlie same winter king Edmund fought against them, and the Danes got the victory, and slew the king, and subdued all the land, and destroyed all the minsters which they came to. The names of their chiefs who slew the king were Ilingwar and Hubba. At that same time they came to Medesham- stede, and burned and beat it down, slew abbat and monks, and all that they found there. And that place, which before was full rich, they reduced to nothing. And the same year died archbishop Ceolnoth. Then went Ethelred and Alfred his brother, and took Athelred bishop of Wiltshire, and appomted him archbishop of Canterbury, because formerly he had been a monk of the same minster of Canterbury. As soon as he came to Canterbury, and he was stablished in hi^ arch- bishopric, he then thought how he might expol the clerks who (were) there within, whom archbishop the Ceolnoth had (be- fore) placed there for such need ... as we shall relate. The first year that he was made archbishop there was so great a mortality, that of all the monks whom he found there within, no more than five monks surv'ved. Then for the .... he (commanded) his chaplains, and also some priests of his vills, that they should help the few monks who there survived to do Christ's service, because he could not so readily find monks who might of themselves do the service; and for this reason he commanded that the priests, the while, until God should give peace in this land, should help the monks. In that same time was this land much distressed by frequent battles, and hence the archbishop could not there effect it, for there was warfare and sorrow all his time over England ; and hence the clerks remained with tlie monks. Nor was there ever a time that monks were not tliere witliin, and they ever had lordship over the priests. Again the archbishop

A.D.871. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 51

Ceolnoth thought, and also said to those who were with liim, • As soon as God sliall give peace in this land, either these priests shall be monks, or from elsewhere I will place within the minister as many monks as may do the service ot

tliemselves : tor God knows that I )*

A. 871. This yt^ar the army came to Reading in Wessex ; and three days after this, two of their earls rode forth Then Ethelwulf the ealdorman met them at Englefield, an ■ there fought against them, and got the victory : and there one of them, whose name was Sidrac, was slain. About three days after this, king Ethelrod and Alfred his brother led a large force to Reading, and fought against the army, and there was great slaughter made on either hand. And Ethelwulf the ealdorman was slain, and the Danish-men had possession of the place of carnage. And about four days after tliis, king Ethelred and Alfred his brother fought against the whole army at Ashdown ; and they were in two bodies : in the one were Bagsac and Halfdene tlie heatlu-n kings, and in the otlier were the earls. And then king Ethelred fought against the division under the kings, and Chere king Bagsac was slain ; and Alfred his brother Mgainst the division under the earls, and there earl Sidrac ihe elder was slain, earl Sidrac the younger, and eai^ Osbern, and earl Frene, and earl Harold ; and both divisions of the ^rmy were put to flight, and many thousands slain : and they continued fighting until night. And about fourteen days after this, king Ethelred and Alfred his brother fought

• As this portion of the text is slightly defective, the Latin narrative is subjoined : Cum autem venisset Cantuariam, statini cogitare coepit quo- niodo possit ejicere clericos de ecclesia Christi, quos Ceolnothus pro tali ne- cessitaie compulsus ibi posuit. Primo igitur anno ordinationis suie tanta mortalitas facta est in ecclesia Christi, ut de tota congTegatione moiiacho- rum non remanerent nisi quinque. Qua de causa quia ita subito non potuit in venire tot monachos qui ibi servitium Dei facere possent, ex simplicitate cordis praecepit ca])ellanis clericis suis, ut essent cum eis usque quod Deus pacificaret terram, quae tunc nimis erat turbata propter nimias tempestates bellorum. Accepit etiam de villis suis presbyteros, ut essent cum monachis, ita tamen ut monachi semper haberent dominatum super clericos. Cogita- vit idem archiepiscopus et saepe suis dixit, quia statim cum Deu3 pacem no])is dederit, aut isti clerici monachi fier.t, aut ego ubicumque monachos inveniam quos reponam. Scit enim Deus, inquit quod aliter facero nnu possum. Sed nunquam temporibus suis pax fuit in Anglia, et ideo remar*- serunt clerici ciun monachis, nee ullo tempore fuit ecclesia sine mona<'iu& Sed reo iste iEtheiredus archicDLscopus potixit laceie.

E 2 I

52 THE ANCLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a. d. 871^74.

aj»alnst the army at Basing, and there the Danes cbtained the victory. And about two months aft3r this, king Ethelre»i and Alfred his brother fought against the army at Harden ; and they were in two bodies, and they put both to flight, and during a great part of the day were victorious ; and there was great slaughter on either hand ; but the Danes had pos- session of the place of carnage: and there bishop Heah- raund* was slain, and many good men : and after this battle there came a great army in the summer to Reading. And after this, over Easter, king Ethelred died ; and he reigned five years and his body Hes at Winburn-minster.

Then Alfred the son of Ethelwulf, his brother, succeeded to the kingdom of the West- Saxons. And about one month after this, king Alfred with a small band fought against the whole army at Wilton, and put them to flight for a good part of the day ; but the Danes had possession of the place of carnage. And this year nine general battles were fought against the army in the kingdom south of the Thames, besides which, Alfred the king's brother, and single ealdormen, and king's thanes, oftentimes made incursions on them, which were not counted : and within the year nine earls and one king were slain. And that year the West- Saxons made peace with the army.

A. 871. And the Danish-men were overcome : and they had two heathen kings, Bagsac and Halfdene, and many earls ; and there waa king Bagsac slain, and these earls ; Sidrac the elder, and also Sidrac the younger, Osbern, Frene, and Harold ; and the army was put to flight.

A. 872. This year the army went from Reading to London, and there took up their ^vinter-quarters : and then the Mercians made peace with the army.

A. 873. This year the army went into North-humbria, and took up their winter-quarters at Torksey in Lindsey : and then the Mercians made peace with the army.

A. 874. This year the army went from Lindsey to Repton, and there took up their winter-quarters, and drove king Burhred over sea abcat twenty-two years after he had obtained the kingdom ; and subdued the whole country : and Burhred went to Rome, and there remained ; and his body li*»^ in St. Mary's church at the English school. And that erjne year they committed the kingdom of the Mercians to • Of SheiHorue.

A.D. 87^877. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 53

the keeping of Ceolwulf, an unwise king's-thane ; and he swore oaths to them, and delivered hostages that it should be re-Adj for them on wliatever day they would have it, and that he would be ready l)oth in liis own person and with all wiio would follow him, for the behoof of the army.

A. 875. This year the army went from Repton : and Halfdene went with some of the army into North-humbria, and took up winter-quarters by the river Tyne. And tlie army subdued the land, and oft-times spoiled the Picts, and the Strathclyde Britons. And the three kings, Gothrun, and Oskytel, and Anwind, went with a large army from Repton to Cambridge, and sat down there one year. And that summer king Alfred went out to sea with a fleet, and fought against the forces of seven ships, and one of them he took, and put the rest to flight.

A. 876. This year the army stole away to "VVareham, a fortress of the West- Saxons. And afterwards the king made peace with the army ; and they delivered to the king hostages from among the most distinguished men of the army ; and then they swore oaths to him on the holy ring, which they never before would do to any nation, that they would speedily depart his kingdom. And notwithstanding this, that part of the army which was horsed stole away by night from the fortress to Exeter. And that year Halfdene apportioned the lands of North-humbria : and they thence- forth continued ploughing and tilling them. This year Rolla overran Normandy with his army, and he reigned fifty years.

A. 876. And in this same year the army of the Danes in England swore oaths to king Alfred upon the holy ring, which before they would not do to any nation ; and they delivered to the king hostages from among the most distinguished men of the army, that they would speedily depart from his kingdom ; and that by night they broke.

A. 877. This year the army came to Exeter from Wareham ; and the fleet sailed round westwards : and then a great storm overtook them at sea, and there one hundred and twenty ships were wrecked at Swanwich. And king Alfred with his forces rode after the army which was mounted, as far as Exeter ; and they were unable to overtake them before they were within the fortress, where tliey could not be come at. And they there delivered to him hostages

5 i THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. 878-879.

!vs many as lie would have, and swore many oaths : and then they observed the peace well. And at'terwards, during harvest, the army went into Mercia, and some part of it they apportioned, and some they delivered to Ceolwulf.

A. 878. This year, during midwinter, after twelfth night, tlie army stole aAvay to Chippenham, and overran the land of the West- Saxons, and sat down there ; and many of the people they drove beyond sea, and of the remainder the greater part they subdued and forced to obey them, except king Alfred : and he, with a small band, with difficulty retreated to the woods and to the fastnesses of the moors. And the same winter the brother of Hingwar and of Halfdene came with twenty-three ships to Devonshire in Wessex ; and he was there slain, and with him eight hundred and forty men of his army : and there was taken the war-flag which they called the Raven. After this, at Easter king Alfred with a small band constructed a fortress at Athelney ; and from this fortress, with that pait of the men of Somerset which was nearest to it, from time to time they fought against the army. Then in the seventh week after Easter he rode to Brixton, on the east side of Selwood ; and there came to meet him all the men of Somerset, and the men of Wiltshire, and that portion of the men of Hampshire which was on this side of the sea ; and they were joyful at his presence. On tlie following day lie went from tliat station to Iglea [Hey], and on the day after this to Heddington, and there fought against the whole army, put them to flight, and pursued them as far as their fortress : and there he sat down fourteen days. And then the army delivered to him hostages, with many oaths, that they would leave his kingdom, and also promised him that their king should receive bnptism : and this they accordinu^ly fullilled. And about three weeks after this king Gothrun came to him, v/ith some thirty men who were of the most distinguislied in the army, at Aller, wliich is near Athehiey : and the king was his godfather at baptism ; and his chrism-loosing* was at Wedmore : and he was twelve days with tlie king; and he greatly honoured him and his comjtanions with gifts.

A. 879. This year the army went to Cirencester froni

• Apparently the removal of the fillet which, covering the chrism on the forehead. uiu-» bound round the head at cnufirmatiou.

A.B.830 885. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 55

Chippenham, and sat there one year. And that year a lx)dy of pirates drew together, and sat down at Fulham on the Thames. And that same year the sun was eclipsed during one hour of the day.*

A. 880. Tliis year the army went from Cirencester to East Anglia, and settled in the land, and apportioned it. And that same year the army, which previously had sat down at Fulham, went over sea to Ghent in France, and sat there one year.

A. 881. This year tlie anny went further into France, and the French fought against them: and then was the army there horsed after the battle.

A. 882. This year the army went up along the banks of the Maese far into France, and there sat one year. And that same year king Alfred went out to sea with his ships, and fought against the forces of four ships of Danish men, and took two of the ships, and the men were slain that were in them ; and the forces of two ships surrendered to him, and they were sorely distressed and wounded before they surrendered to him.

A. 883. This year the army went up the Scheldt to Conde, and sat there one year. And Marinus the pope then sent 'lignum Domini' to king Alfred ; and that same year Sighelm and Athelstan carried to Rome the alms which the king had vowed to send thither, and also to Lidia, to St. Thomas and to St. Bartholomew, when they sat down against the army at London ; and there, thanks be to God, they largely obtained the object of their prayer after the vow.

A. 884. This year the army went up the Somme to Amiens, and there sat one year. This yearj the benevo lent bishop Ethelwold died.

A. 885. JThis year the fore-mentioned army divided it- self into two; the one part went eastward, the other part

• The eclipse happened on the 14th of March, 880.

t The account of the death of Ethelwold bishop of Winchester, here inserted in MS. F., is anticipated a century by the carelessness of the scribe : the name of his successor in the Latin puts this bevond all doubt. See A. 984-

I Aaser omits tne erents of A. 884 of the Chronitee, and places those of 885 under that year. At auy rate the foreign tranaactiona are rightly w

56 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d.888.

to Rochester, and besieged the city, and wrought another fortress about themselves. And, notwitlistanding tliis, the townsmen defended the city till king Alfred came out with his forces. Then went the army to their ships, and aban- doned their fortress ; and they were there deprived of tlieir horses, and soon after, in that same manner, departed over sea. And that same year king Alfred sent a fleet from Kent to East-Anglia. So soon as they came to the mouth of the SiDur, there met them sixteen ships of pirates; and they fought against them, and captured all the ships and killed the men. As they afterwards return (id homeward with the booty, a large fleet of pirates met tliem, and then fought against them that same day, and the Danish-men had the victory. That same year, before mid-winter, * Charles king of the French died ; he was killed by a wild boar ; and one year before this, his brother f died: he too had the western kingdom : and they were both sons of Louis, who likewise had the western kingdom, and died that year wlien the sun was eclipsed : he was son of Charles | whose daughter Ethelwulf, king of the West- Saxons, had for his queen. And that same year a large fleet drew together against the Old Saxons ; and there was a great battle twice in that year, and the Saxons had the victory, and the Frisians were there with them. That same year Charles § succeeded to the wes- tern kingdom, and to all the kingdom on this side the Wen- ilel-sea [Tuscan Sea], and beyond this sea, in like manner as his great-grandfather had it, with the exception of the Lid-wiccas [Bretons]. Charles was Louis's son ; Louis was Charles's brother, who was father of Judith, whom king Ethelwulf had ; and they were sons of Louis, Louis was son of the elder Charles, Charles was Pepin's son. And that same year died the good Pope Marinus, who, at the prayer of Alfred king of the West- Saxons, freed the Eng- lish school; and he sent him great gifts, and part of the rood on which Christ suffered. And that same year the army in East-Anglia broke the peace with king Alfred.

A. 8S6. This year the army which before had drawn eastward, went westward again, and thence up the Seine, and there took up their winter quarters near the town of Faris. That same year king Alfred repaired London ; and

* Curlomau. t Luuis U. % The Bald § The FaU

A.D. 887-890. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 57

all the English submitted to him, except those who were under the bondage of the Danish-men ; and then he com- mitted the town to the keeping of Ethered the ealdorman.

A. 887. This year the army went up through the bcidge at Paris, and thence up along the Seine as far as the Marne, and thence up the Marne to Chezy, and then sat down, there, and on the Yonne, two winters in the two places. And that same year Charles* king of the French died ; and six weekt before he died, Arnulf his brother's son bereaved him of the kingdom. And then was that kingdom divided into five, and five kings were consecrated thereto. This, however, was done by permission of Arnulf : and they said that they would hold it from his hand, because none of them on the father's side was born thereto except him alone. Arnulf then dwelt in the land east of the Rhine : and Rodulf then succeeded to the middle kingdom,f and Oda to the western part, and Beorngar and WithaJ to the land of the Lombards and to the lands on that side of the mountain : and that they held in great discord, and fought two general battles, and oft and many times laid waste the land, and each repeatedly drove out the other. And that same year that the army went up beyond the bridge at Paris, Ethelhelm the ealdor- man § carried the alms of the West-Saxons and of king Alfred to Rome.

A. 888. This year Beeke the ealdorman carried the alms of the West- Saxons and of king Alfred to Rome ; and queen Ethelswith, who was king Alfred's sister, died on the way to Rome, and her body lies at Pavia. And that same year Athelred archbishop of Canterbury, and Ethelwold the eal- dorman died in the same month.

A. 889. In this year there was no journey to Rome, ex- cept that king Alfred sent two couriers with letters.

A. 890. This year abbat Bernhelm carried the alms of the West- Saxons and of king Alfred to Rome. And Goth- run the Northern king died, whose baptismal name was Athelstan ; he was king Alfred's godson, and he abode in Kast-Anglia, and first settled that country. And that same year the army went from the Seine to St. Lo, which is be t'veen Brittany and France ; and the Bretons fought against tlipm. and had the victory, and drove them out into a river,

• Tne Fat, Burgundv J Guido. § Of Wilu.

58 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d.soi-sm.

and drowned many of them. This year Plegmund waa chosen of God and of all the people to be archbishop of Canterbury.

A. 89 L This year the army went eastward ; and Idng Arnulf, with the East-Franks and Saxons and Bavarians, fou{;lit against that part which was mounted before the ships came up, and put them to flight. And three Scots came to king Alfred in a boat without any oars from Ireland, whence tliey had stolen away, because they desired for the love of God to be in a state of pilgrimage, they recked not where. The boat in which they came was made of two hides and a half ; and they took with them provisions sufficient for seven days ; and then about the seventh day they came on shore in Cornwall, and soon after went to king Alfred. Thus thej were named : Dubslane, and Macbeth, and Maelinmun. And Swinney, the best teacher among the Scots, died.

A. 892. And that same year after Easter, about Rogation week or before, the star appeared which in Latin is called conieta; some men say in English that it is a hairy star, because a long radiance streams from it, sometimes on the one side, and sometimes on each side.

A. 893. In this year the great army, about wliich we for- merly spoke,* came again from the eastern kingdom westward to Boulogne, and there was shipped ; so that they came over in one passage, horses and all ; and they came to land at Lirane-mouth with two hundred and fifty ships. This port is in the eastern part of Kent, at the east end of the great wood which we call Andred ; the wood is in length from east to west one hundred and twenty miles, or longer, and thirty miles broad : the river of which we before spoke flows out of the weald. On this river they toAved up their shipa as far as the weald, four miles from the outward harbour, and there stormed a fortress : within the fortress a few churls were stationed, and it was in part only constructe(L Then soon after that Hasten with eighty 8hi})y landed at the moutli of the Thames, and wrought himself a fortress at Mihon ; and the other army did the like at Appledore.

A. 894. In this year, that was about a twelve-month after these had wrought the fortress in the eastern district, the Nor^h-humbrians and the East- Angles had given oathj to • See back at a.d. 891.

AD. 894. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 50

king Alfred, and the East-Angles six hostages ; and never- theless, contrary to their plighted trotii, as oft as the other armies went out with all their force, they also went out, either with tliem or on tiieir own part. On this king Alfred gathered together his forces, and proceeded until he en- camped between the two armies, as near as he could for the wood fastnesses, and for the water fastnesses, so that lie might be able to reach either of them in case they should seek any open country. From this time the enemy always went out along the weald in bands and troops, by whichever border was at the time without forces : and they also were sought out by other bands, almost every day, either by day or night, as well from the king's force as also from the towns. The king had divided his forces into two, so that one half was constantly at home, the other half in the field ; besides those men whose duty it was to defend the towns. The army did not come out of their stations with their whole force oftener than twice : once when they first came to land, be- fore the forces were assembled ; a second time when they would go away from their stations. Then had they takei^ much booty, and would at that time go northward over tlie Thames into Essex towards their ships. Then the king's forces outrode and got before them, and fought against them at Farnham, and put the array to flight, and retook the booty ; and they fled over the Thames, where there was no ford ; then up along the Colne into an island. Then the forces there beset them about so long as they there had any provisions : but at length they had stayed their term of ser- vice, and had consumed their provisions ; and the king was then on his way thitherwards with the division which warred under him. While he was on his way thither, and the other force was gone homewards, and the Danish-men remained there behind, because their king had been wounded in the battle, so that they could not carry him away, then those who dwell among tlie North-humbrians and among the East-Anglians gathered some hundred ships and went about south ; and some forty siiij)S about to the north, and be- sieged a fortress in Devonshire by the north sea ; and those who went about to the south besieged Exeter. When the king heard that, then turned he westward towards Exeter with all his force, except a very sciall body of the peopk

60 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. 894.

eastwaru. These went onwards until thej came to London ; and then with the townsmen, and the aid wMch came to them from the west, they went east to Bamfleet. Hasten was then come there with his band which before sat at !Milton ; and the great army was also come thereto, which before sat at Appledore near Limne-mouth. The fortress at Bamfleet had been ere this constructed by Hasten, and he was at that time gone out to plunder ; and the great armv was therein. Then came they thereto, and put the army to flight, and stormed the fortress, and took all that was within it, as well the property, as the women, and the children also, and brought the whole to London ; and all the ships they either broke in pieces or burned, or brought to London or to Rochester ; and they brought the wife of Hasten and his two sons to the king : and he afterwards gave them up to him again, because one of them was his godson, and the other Ethered, the ealdorman's. They had become their godfathers before Hasten came to Bamfleet, and at that time Hasten had delivered to him hostages and taken oaths : and the king had also given him many gifts ; and so like- wise when he gave up the youth and the woman. But as soon as they came to Bamfleet, and the fortress was con- structed, then plundered he that very part of the king's realm wliich was in the keeping of Ethered his compeer ; and again, this second time, he had gone out to plunder that very same district when his fortress was stormed. Now the king with his forces had turned westward towards Exeter, as I said before, and the army had beset the city ; but wlien he arrived there, then went they to their ships. While the king was thus busied with the array there, in the west, and! both the other armies had drawn together at Shoebury in Essex, and there had constructed a fortress, then both to- gether went up along the Thames, and a great addition came to them, as well from the East-Anglians as from tho North-humbrians. They then went up along the Thames till they reached the Severn ; then up along the Severn. Then Ethered the ealdorman, and Ethelm tlie ealdorman, and Ethelnoth the ealdorman, and the king's thanes who were then at home in the fortified places, gathered forces from every town east of the Parret, and as well west as east of iStjlwood, and also north of the Thamci- and west of the

A.D.S95. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 61

Severn, and also some part of the North-Welsh people. When they had all drawn together, then they came up with the army at Buttington on the banks of the Severn, and there beset them about, on either side, in a fastness. When thej had now sat there many weeks on both sides of the river, and the king was in the west in Devon, against the fleet, then were the enemy distressed for want of food ; and hav- ing eaten a great part of their horses, the others being starved with hunger, then went they out against the men who were encamped on the east bank of the river, and fought against them : and the Christians had the victory. And Ordhelm a king's thane was there slain, and also many other king's thanes were slain ; and of the Danish-men there was very great slaughter made ; and that part which got away thence was saved by fliglit. When they had come into Essex to their fortress and to their ships, then the survivors again gathered a great army from among the East-Angl^^s and the North-humbrians before winter, and committed their wives and their ships and their wealth to the East- Angles, and went at one stretch, day and night, until they arrived at a western city in Wirall, which is called Lega-ceaster [Chester]. Then were the forces unable to come up with them before they were within the fortress : nevertheless they beset the fortress about for some two days, and took all the cattle that was there without, and slew the men whom they were able to overtake without the fortress, and burned all the corn, and with their horses ate it every evening. And this was about a twelve-month after they first came hither over sea.

A. 895. And then soon after that, in this year, the army from Wirall went among the North- Welsh, for they were unable to stay there : this was because they had been de- prived both of the cattle and of the corn which they had plundered. When they had turned again out of North- Wales, with the booty which they had there taken, then went they over Nortliuraberland and East-Anglia, in such wise that the forces could not overtake them before they cam^ to the eastern parts of the land of Essex, to an island that is out on the sea, which is called Mersey. And a,^ the army which had beset Exeter again turned homewar'JU, theu spoil<^ they the South-Saxons ntar Chichester ', and

C2 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d.898-s97.

the townsmen put them to flight, and slew many hundreds of tliem, and took some of their ships. Then that same year, before winter, the Danish-men who had sat down in iNIersey, towed their ships up the Thames, and thence up the Lea. Tliis was about two years after they had come hither over sea.

A. 896. In that same year tlie fore-mentioned army con- structed a fortress on the Lea, twenty miles above London. After this, in summer, a great body of the townsmen, and also of other people, went onwards until they arrived at the Danish fortress ; and there they were put to flight, and some four king's thanes were slain. Then after this, during harvest, the king encamped near to the town, while the people reaped the corn, so that the Danish-men might not deprive them of the crop. Then on a certain day the king ix)de up alor^ the river, and observed where the river might be obstructed, so tiiat they would be unable to bring out their ships. And they then did thus : they constructed two fortresses on the two sides of the river. When they had already begun the work, and had encamped before it, then perceived the army that they should not be able to bring out their ships. They then abandoned them, and went across the country till tliey arrived at Bridgenorth by the Severn ; and there they constructed a fortress. Then the forces rode westwards after the army : and the men of London took possession of the ships ; but all which they could not bring away, they broke up, and those which were worthy of capture they brought to London : moreover the Danish-men had committed their wives to the keeping of the Etxst- Angles before they went out from their fortress. Then sat they down for the winter at Bridgenorth. This was about three years after they had come lather over sea to Limne-mouth.

A. 897. After this, in the summer of this year, the army broke up, some for East-Anglia, some for North-humbria ; and they who were moneyless procured themselves ships there, and went southwards over sea to the Seine. Thanks be to God, the army had not utterly broken down the Eng- lish nation ; but during tlie three years it was much mor»3 broken down by the mortality among cattle and among mei\, aiiv liiodt of aU by tliis, that many of the most eniiuoat

A D. 807. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. C3

king's thanes in the land died during the three years ; some of whom were, iswitlmlf, bishop of Rochester, and Ceol- ifluud, ealdorman of Kent, and Bertulf, ealdorman o/ Essex, and Wulfred, ealdorman of Hampshire, and Eat- hard, bishop of Dorchester, and Eadulf, the king's thane in Sussex, and Bernwulf, the governor of Winchester, and Eadulf, the king's horse-thane, and many also besides these, though I have named the most distinguished. That same year the armies from among the East-Anglians and from among the North-humbrians harassed the land of the West- Saxons, chiefly on the south coast, by praedatory bands ; most of all by their esks, which they had built many years before. Then king Alfred commanded long ships to be built to oppose the esks ; they were full-nigh twice as long as the others ; some had sixty oars, and some had more; they were both swifter and steadier, and also higher than the others. Tliey were shapen neither like the Frisian nor the Danish, but so as it seemed to him they would be most efficient. Then some time in the same year, there came six ships to the Isle of Wight, and there did much harm, as well as in Devon, and elsewhere on the sea-coast. Then the king commanded nine of the new ships to go thither, and they obstructed their passage from the port towards tlie outer sea. Then went tliey with three ef their ships out against them ; and three lay in the upper paTt of the port in the dry ; for the men were gone ashore. Then took they two of the tliree ships at the outer part of the port, and killed the men, and the other ship escaped j in that also the men were killed ex- cept five : they got away because the other ships were aground. They also were aground very disadvantageously : three lay aground on that side of the deep on which the Danish ships were aground, and all the rest upon the other side, so that no one of them could get to the others. But when the water had ebbed many furlongs from the ships, then the Danish-men went from their three ships to the other three which were left by the tide on their side, antl then they there fought against them. There was slain Lu- cumon, the king's reeve, and Wulfheard, the Frisian, and Ebb, the Frisian, and Ethelere, the Frisian, and Ethelfertli, the king's neat-herd, and of all the men, Frisians and Eng- lish, seventy-two ; and of the Danish-men, one hundi'cd and

64 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d.898-9oi.

twenty. Then, however, the flood-tide came to the Danish 6hip3 before the Christians could shove theirs off, and they therefore rowed them out : nevertheless, they were damaged to such a degree that they could not row round the Sussex land ; and there the sea cast two of them on shore, and the men were led to the king at Winchester ; and he commanded them to be there hanged : and the men who were in the single ship came to East-Anglia, sorely wounded. That same summer no less than twenty ships, with their crews, wholly perished upon the south coast. That same year died Wulfric, the king's horse-thane ; he was also " Wealh- reeve."

A. 898. In this year died Ethelm, ealdorman of Wiltshire, nine days before midsummer ; and tliis year died Elstan, who was bishop of London.

A. 899. 900.

A. 90L This year died Alfred, the son of Ethelwulf, six days before the mass of All Saints. He was king over the whole English nation, except that part which was under the do- minion of the Danes ; and he held the kingdom one year and a half less than thirty years. And then Edward his son succeeded to the kingdom. Then Ethelwald, the ethe- ling, his uncle's son, seized the castle at Wimborne* and that at Twineham,t without leave of the king and of his " witan." Then rode the king with his forces until he encamped at Badbury, near Wimborne ; and Ethelwald sat within the vill, with the men who had submitted to him ; and he had obstructed all the approaches towards him, and said that he would do one of two things — or there live, or there lie. But notwithstanding that, he stole away by night, and sought the army in North-humbria ; and they received him for their king, and became obedient to him. And the king commanded that he should be ridden after ; but they were unable to overtake him. They then beset the woman whom he had before taken, without the king's leave, and against the bishop's command ; for she had previously been conse- crated a nun. And in this same year Ethelred, who was eaidormun of Devonshire, died, tcur weeks before king Alfred.

• Dorsetshire.

t Chrij^church, New Forest aivision of Southampton.

A.D.002 906. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. G5

A. 902. And that samo year was the battle at the Holme, between the Kentish-men and the Danish-men.

A. 902. This year Elswitha died.

A. 903. This year died Athulf, the ealdorman, brother of Els"v^'^tha, king Edward's mother ; and Virgilius, abbat of tlie Scots ; and Grimbald,the mass-priest, on the 8th before the Ides of July. And this same year was t]w consecration of the New-minster at Winchester, and vSt. Judoc's advent.

A. 904. This year Ethelwald came hither over sea with the ships that he was able to get, and he was submitted to in Essex. This year the moon was eclipsed.

A. 905. This year Ethelwald enticed the army in East- Anglia to break the peace, so that they ravaged over all the land of Mercia until they came to Cricklade, and there they went over the Thames, and took, as well in Bradon as thereabout, all that they could lay hands on, and then turned homewards again. Then king Edward went after them, as speedily as he could gather his forces, and overran all their land between the dikes and the Ouse, all as far north as the fens. When, after this, he would return thence, then commanded he it to be proclaimed through his whole force, that they should all return together. Then the Kentish-men remained there behind, notwithstanding his orders, and seven messengers whom he had sent to them. Then the army there came up to them, and there fought them : and there Siwulf the ealdorman, and Sigelm the ealdorman, and Eadwold the king's thane, and Kenwulf the abbat, and Sigebright son of Siwulf, and Eadwold son of Acca, were slain, and like^vise many with them, though I have named the most distinguished. And on the Danish side were slain Eohric their king, and Ethelwald tlie etheling, who liad enticed him to break the peace, and Byrtsige son of Brith- noth the etheling, and Ysopk the 'hold' [governor?], and Os- kytel the hold, and very many with them, whom we are no\J^ unable to name. And there was great slaughter made on either hand ; and of the Danish-men there were more slain, though they had possession of the place of carnage. A nd Elhswitha died that same year. This year a comet appeared on the thirteenth before the Kalends of Novembei.

A- 906. In this year died Alfred, who was governor of

GQ THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d.906-9ii.

Bath. And in the same year peace was conclui'.fcd at Ilitch- inirford, even as king Edward ordained, as -well with the East- Angles as with the North-humbrians.

A. 906. This year king Edward, from necessity, concluded a peace both s'itli the army of East-Anglia and of North-humbria.

A. 907. This year Chester was repaired.

A. 908. This year died Denewulf, who was bishop at Winchester.

A. 909. This year St. Oswald's body was removed from Eardney into Mercia. In this year the Angles and the Danes fought at Tootenhall on the eighth before the Ides of August, and the Angles obtained the victory. And that same year Ethelfled built the fortress at Bramsbury.

A. 910. This year Frithstan succeeded to the bishopric at Winchester ; and, after that, bishop Asser died ; he was bishop at Sherborne. And that same year king Edward sent out a force both of West-Saxons and of Mercians, and they greatly spoiled the army of the north, as well of men as of every kind of cattle, and slew many of the Danish- men : and they were therein five weeks.

A.. 910. This year the army of the Angles and of the Danes fought at Tootenhall. And Ethelred ealdorof the Mercians died ; and king Edward t0(jk possession of London, and of Oxford, and of all the lands which owed obedience thereto. And a great fleet came hither from the ^outh, from the Lidwiccas^ [Brittany,] and greatly ravaged by the Severn ; but tliey there, afterwards, almost all perished.

A. 9n. This year the army among the North-humbrians broke the peace, and despised whatever peace king Edward and his 'witan' offered them, and overran the land of Mercia. And the king had gathered too:ether some hundred ships, and was then in Kent, and the ships went south-east along the sea-coast towards him. Then thought the army that the greatest part of his force was in the ships, and that they should be able to go, unfought, wheresoever they chose AV^hen the king learned that, that they were gone out to plunder, then sent he his forces after them, both of the West- Saxons and of the Mercians ; and they overtook the army as they were on their way homewards, and then fought against tl»em, and put them to flight, and slew many thousands ot them ; and there were slain king Ecwils, and king Halfdene end Ohter the earl, and Scurf the earl, and OtliuU* th'i hold,

A.D.pii-916. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. G7

an<l Benesing tlie hold, and Aiilaf the black, an«l Thurff rth the hold, and Osferth the collector and Guthferth the hold, and A^gmund the hold, and Guthferth,

A. 911. Then the next year after this died Ethelred lord of the Mercians.

A. 912. This year died Ethered ealdorman of tlie IMcrcians ; and king Edward took possession of London and of Oxford, and of all the lands which owed obedience thereto. This year Ethelfled lady of tlie Mercians came to Scaergate on the holy eve, ' Livention of the Holy Cross,' and tiiere built the fortress ; and the same year, that at Bridgenorth.

A. 913. In this year, about Martinmas,* king Edward commanded the northern fortress to be built at Hertford, between the Memer, the Benewic, and the Lea. And then after that, during tlie summer, between Rogation-days and midsummer, king Edward went with some of his forces to Maldon in Essex, and there encamped, whilst the fortress at Witham was wrought and built ; and a good part of the people who were before under the dominion of the Danish- men submitted to him : and in the meanwhile some part of his force constructed the fortress at Hertford, on the south side of the Lea. This year, by the help of God, Ethelfled lady of the Mercians went with all the Mercians to Tamworth, and there built the fortress early in the summer ; and after this before Lammas, tliat at Stafford.

A. 914. Then after this, in the next year, that at Eddesbury, early in the summer ; and afterwards, in the same year, late in harvest, that at Warwick.

A. 915. Then after this, in the next year, after mid- winter, that at Chirk, and that at Warburton ; and that same year, before mid-winter, that at Runcorn.

A. 9)5. This year was Warwick built.

A. 916. This year abbat Egbert was guiltlessly slain, be- fore midsummer, on the sixteenth before the Kalends of July : the same day was the feast of the martyr St. Ciricius and his fellows. And about three days after this, Ethelfled sent her forces among the Welsh, and stormed Brecknock,

* Florence of Worcester seems to understand this as relating to the festival of St. Martin of Tours, 11 Nov. and places Maldon, ficc. 48 \wii dM tke events of 917 of the text, under the vear 914

f2

68 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. on-ois.

and there took the king's wife, and eorae four and thirty persons.

A. 917. In tliia year, after Easter, the army rode forth from Northampton and Leicester, and broke the peace, and slew many men at Hockerton, and there about. And then very speedily after that, when the one came home, then they ^rot ready another troop which rode out against Leighton : and then the inhabitants were aware of them, and fought against them, and put them to full flight, and retook all which they had seized, and also a great portion of their horses and of thei? weapons. This year, before Lammas, Ethelfled, lady of tlie ^Mercians, God helping her, got possession of the fortress which is called Derby, witli all that owed obedience thereto ; and there also were slain, within the gates, four of her thanes, which to her was a cause of sorrow.

A. 918. This year, in the early part of the year, by God's help, she got into her power, by treaty, the fortress at Leicester, and the greater part of the army which owed obedience thereto became subject to her; and the people of York had also covenanted with her, some having given a pledge, and some having bound themselves by oath, that they would be at her command. In this year a great fleet came over hither from the south, from the Lidwiccas, [Brittany,] and with it two earls, Ohtor and Rhoald : and they went west about till they arrived within the mouth of the Severn, and they spoiled the North- Welsh every^vhere by the sea-coast where they then pleased. And in Ai'chenfield they took bishop* Cameleac, and led him with them to their ships ; and tlien king Edward ransomed him afterwards with forty pounds. Then after that, the whole army landed, and would have gone once more to plunder about Archenfield. Then met them the men of Hereford and of Gloucester, and of the nearest towns, and fought against them and put them to flight, and slew the earl Rhoald, and a brother of Ohter the other earl, and many of tlie army, and drove them into an inclosure, and there beset them about, until they delivered hostages to them tliat they would depart from king Edward's dominion. And the king had so ordered it that his forces sat down against them on the iouth side of Ibevern-moutli, from tlie Welsh coast Tijestwai'd, to the mouth of the Avon eastward; so that on • Of Llandaff.

A.D.91S-921. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. CO

that side tliey durst not anpvliere attempt the hmd. Tlion, nevertheless, they stole away by night on some two occasion.^ ; cnce, to the east of Watchet, and another time to Porlock. But they were beaten on either occasion, so that few of tlu-m got away, except those alone who there swam out to tlie ships. And then they sat down, out on the island of Bradan- reUce, [Flat-holms,] until such time as they were quite desti- tute of food ; and many men died of hunger, because they could not obtain any food. Then they went thence to Deo- mod, [S. Wales,] and then out to Ireland : and this was during harvest. And then after that, in the same year, before Martinmas, king Edward went with his forces to Buckingham, and there sat down four weeks ; and, ere he went thence, he erected both the forts on either side of the river. And Thurkytel the earl sought to him to be his lord, and all the captains, and almost all the chief men who owed obedience to Bedford, and also many of those who owed obedience to Northampton.

A. 918. But very shortly after they had become so, she died at Tarn- worth, twelve days before midsummer, the eighth year of her having rule and right lordship over the Mercians ; and her body lies at Gloucester, witliin the east porch of St. Peter's church. [See end of a.d, 922.]

A. 918. This year died Ethelfled the lady of the Mercians.

A. 919. In this year, before Martinmas, king Edward went with Ms forces to Bedford, and gained the town ; and almost all the townsmen who formerly dwelt there submitted to him: and he sat down there four weeks, and commanded the town to be built on the south side of the river before he went thence.

A. 919. This year also the daughter of Ethelred, lord of the Mercians, was deprived of all dominion over the Mercians, and carried into Wessex, three weeks before mid-Avinter : she was called Elfwina.

A. 920. In this year, before midsummer, king Edward went to Maldon, and built the town, and fortified it before he departed thence. And that same year Thurkytel the earl went over sea into France, together with such men as would Collow him, with the peace and aid of king Edward.

A. 921. In this year, before Easter, king Edward gavo orders to take possession of the town at Towcester, and to fortify it. And again, after that, in the same year, durinj^ Rogation days, he commanded the town at Wiijmore to

70 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.i>. 921.

be built. That same summer, between Lammas and mid- summer, the army from Northampton and from Leicester, and thence north, broke the peace, and went to Towcester, and fought against tlie town the whole day ; and they thought that they should be able to take it by storm. But, neverthe- less, the people who were within defended it until a larger force came to them : and then they departed from the town and went away. Then, again very soon after that, they went out once more by night with a predatory band, and came upon men who were unprepared, and took no small number as well of men as of cattle between Burnham wood and Ayles- bury. At that same time went out the army from Hunting- don and from the East- Angles, and constructed the fortress at Tempsford, and abode, and built there ; and forsook the other at Huntingdon, and thought that from thence they could, by warfare and hostility, get more of the land again. And tliey went forth until they arrived at Bedford : and tlien the men who were there within went out against them, and fought with them and put them to flight, and slew a good part of them. Then again, after that, a large army once more drew together from East-Anglia and from Mercia, and went to the town at Wigmore, and beset it round about, and fought against it the greater part of the day, and took the cattle thereabout. And nevertheless, the men who were within the town defended it ; and then the army left the town and went away. Then, after that, in tlie same summer, much people, within king Edward's dominion, drew together out of the nearest towns, who could go tliither, and went to Tempsford, and beset the town, and fought against it till they took it by storm, and slew the king, and Toglos the earl, and Mann the earl, his son, and his brother, and all those who Avere there within and would de- f<;nd themselves; and took the others, and all that was therein. Then, very soon after this, much people drew together during harvest, as well from Kent as from Surrey and from Essex, and from each of the nearest towns, and went to Colchester, and beset the town, and fought against it until they mastered it, and slew all the people there within, and took all that was there, except the men who fled away over the wall. Then after that, once again during the «!a.»ne harvest, a large army drew together out of Eust-Anglia,

A.D.922. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHUONICLE. 71

AS well of the land-force as of the pirates whom they liad en- ticed to their aid : and they thought that they shoukl be able to avenge their wrongs. And they went to Maldon, and beset the town, and fought against it until more aid came to the help of the townsmen from without ; and then the army left the town and went away. And then the men from the town went out after them, and those also who came from without to their aid ; and they put the army to flight, and slew many hundreds of them, as well of the pirates as of the others. Then, very shortly after, during the same harvest, king Edward went with the forces of the West- Saxons to Passoham, and sat down there while they encom- passed the town at Towcester with a stone wall. And Thur- ferth the earl, and the captains, and all the army which owed obedience to Northampton, as far north as the Welland, sub- mitted to him, and sought to him to be their lord and pro- tector. And when one division of the forces went home, tlien another went out, and took possession of the town of Huntingdon, and repaired and rebuilt it, by command of king Edward, where it had been previously demolished ; and all who were left of the inhabitants of that country submitted to king Edward, and sought his peace and his protection. And after this, still in the same year, before Martinmas, king Edward went with the forces of the West- Saxons to Col- chester, and repaired the town, and rebuilt it where it had been before broken down; and much people submitted to him, as well among the East-Anglians as among the East Saxons, who before were under the dominion of the Danes. And all the army among the East-Anglians swore union with him, that they would all that he would, and would observe peace towards all to which the king should grant his peace, both by sea and by land. And the army which owed obedience to Cambridge chose him specially to be their lord and protector ; and confirmed it with oaths, even as he then decreed it. This year king Edward built the town at Gladmouth. This year king Sihtric slew Neil his brother.

A. 922. In this year, between Rogation days and mid- summer, king Edward went with liis forces to Stamford, and commanded the town to be built upon the south side of tlie river: and all the people which owed obedience to the Qorthera town submitted to him, and sought to him to be

72 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. 923-925.

their lord. And then, during the sojourn which he there made, Ethelfled his sister died there, at Tamworth, twelve days before midsummer. And then he took possession of the town at Tamworth ; and all the people of the land of Mercia, who before vv^ere subject to Ethelfled, submitted to him ; and the kings of the North- Welsh, Howel, and Cle- dauc, and Jothwel, and all the North- Welsh race, sought to him to be their lord. Then went he thence to Nottingham and took possession of the town, and commanded it to be repaired and occupied as well by English as by Danes. And all the people who were settled in Mercia, as well Dan- ish as English, submitted to him.

A. 923. In this year, after harvest, king Edward went with his forces to Thelwall, and commanded the town to be built, and occupied, and manned; and commanded another force also of Mercians, the while that he sat there, to take possession of Manchester in North-humbria, and repair and man it. This year died archbishop Plegmund. This year king Reginald won York.

A. 924. In this year, before midsummer, king Edward went with his forces to Nottingham, and commanded the town to be built on the south side of the river, over against the other, and the bridge over the Trent, between the two towns: and then he went thence into Peakland, to Bake- well, and commanded a town to be built nigh thereunto, and manned. And then chose him for father and for lord, the king of the Scots and the whole nation of the Scots, and Reginald and the son of Eadulf and all those who dwell in North-humbria, as well English as Danes, and North-men and others, and also the king of the Strath-clyde Britons, and all the Strath-clyde Britons.

A. 924. This year Edward was chosen for father and for lord by the king of the Scots, and by the Scots, and king Reginald, and by all the Nuith-humbrians, and also the king of the Strath-clyde Britons, and by aJ the Strath-clyde Britons.

A. 924. This year king Edward died among the Mercians at Famdon ; and very shortly, about sixteen days after this, Elward his son died at Oxford; and their bodies lie at Winchester. And Athelstan was chosen king by the Mercians, and consecrated at Kingston. And he gave his sister to Ofsae [OthoJ, son of the king of the Old-Saxona.

A. 925. This year king Edward died, and Athelstan his son suc^'eeded to the kingdom. And St. Dunstan waa bora

A.D. C2r> 937. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 73

and Wulfhelm succeeded to tlie archbishopric of Canterbury ■"i'liis year king Athelstan and Sihtric king of the Nortii- humbrians came together at Tamworth, on the 3d before the Kalends of February ; and Athelstan gave him his sister.

A. 925. This year Bishop Wulflielm was consecrated. And that same yeai- king Edward died.

A. 926. This year fiery lights appeared in the north part of the heavens. And Sihtric perished : and king Athel- stan obtained the kingdom of the North-liumbrians. And he ruled all the kings who were in this island : first, Howel king of the West- Welsh ; and Constantine king of the Scots ; and Owen king of the Monmouth people ; and Aldred, son of Ealdulf, of Bambrough: and they confirmed the peace by pledge, and by oaths, at the place which is called Eamot, on the 4tli before the Ides of July ; and they renounced all idolatry, and after that submitted to him in peace.

A. 927. This year king Athelstan expelled king Gutli- frith. And this year Archbishop Wulfhelm went to Rome.

A. 928. William succeeded to Normandy, and held it fifteen years.

A. 929. 930.

A. 93 L Tins year Brinstan was ordained bishop of Win- chester on the 4th before the Kalends of June ; and he held the bishopric two years and a half.

A. 931. This year died Frithstan bishop of Winchester, and Brinstan was blessed in his place.

A. 932. This year died bishop Frithstan.

A. 933. This year Edwin the etlieling was drowned at sea. This year king Athelstan went into Scotland, as well with a land army as with a fleet, and ravaged a great part of it. And bishop Brinstan died at Winchester on liie feast of A 11- Hallows.

A. 934. This year bishop Elphege succeeded to th«j bishopric of Winchester.

A. 935. 936.

A. 937. Here Athelstan, kins:.

ot' earls the lord,

(tf heroes the bracelet -giver,

and his brother eke,

Edmund etheling, life-long-glory

7i

THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.b. 937.

in battle won

with edges of swords

near Brumby.

The board-walls they clove,

they hewed the war-lindens,

Haraora lafan' offspring of Edward, such was their noble nature from their ancestors, that they in battle oft 'gainst every foe the land defended, boards and homes. The foe they crushed, the Scottish people and the shipmen fated feU.

The field Mseniede' with warriors' blood, since the sun up at morning-tide, mighty planet, glided o'er grounds, God's candle bright, the eternal Lord's, till the noble creature sank to her settle. There lay many a warrior by javelins strewed, northern man over shield shot ; so the Scots eke, weary, war-sad. West- Saxons onwards throughout the day, in bands,

pursued the footsteps of the loathed nations. They hewed the fugitives behind, amain, with swords mill-sharp.

Mercians refused not the hard hand-play to any heroes who with Anlaf, over the ocean, in the ship's bosom, this land sought felted to the fight. Five lay

on the battle-stead, youthful kings, by swords in slumber laid: so seven eke of Anlaf 's earls ; of tlie army countless, shipmen and Scots. There was made flee the North-men's chieftain, by need constrained, to the ship's prow with a little band. The bark drove afloat : the king dejiarted on the fallow flood, his life preserved. So there eke the sage came by flight to his country north, Constantine, hoary warrior . He had no cause to exult I in the communion of swords. Here was his kindred baud of friends o'erthrown on the folk-stead, in battle slain ; and his son he left on the slaughter-place, mangled with wounds, young in the fight : he had no cause to boast.

A.D. 03rr-94i. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE.

75

hero grizzly-haired,

of the bill-cLishing,

the okl deceiver ;

nor Aidat" the moor, {^mies ;

with the remnant of their ar-

they had no cause to laugh

that they in war's works

the better men were

in the battle-stead,

at the conflict of banners,

meeting of spears,

concourse of men,

trailic of weapons ; [field

that they on the slaughter-

with Edward's

oir>pring played.

The North-men departed in their nailed barks ; bloody relic of darts, on roaring ocean o'er the deep water Dublin to seek, again Ireland, shamed in mind.

So too the brothers, both together, king and etheling, their country sought. West- Saxons' land,

in the war exulting.

They left behind them,

the corse to devour,

the sallowy kite

and the swarthy raven

with horned nib,

and the dusky ' pada,*

erne white-tailed,

the corse to enjoy,

greedy war-hawk,

and the grey beast,

wolf of the wood.

Carnage greater has not betsn

in this island

ever yet

of people slain,

before this,

by edges of swords,

as books us say,

old writers,

since from the east hither,

Angles and Saxons

came to land,

o'er the broad seas

Britain sought,

mighty war-smiths,

the Welsh o'ercame,

earls most bold,

this earth obtained.

A. 937. This year king Athelstan and Edmund his brother led a forcf to Brumby, and mere fouglit a,ii;ainst Anlaf ; and, Christ helping, ha^ the victory: and they there slew five kings and seven earls,

A. 938. 939.

A. 940. This year king Athelstan died at Gloucester on the 6th before the Kalends of November, about forty-one years, except one day, after king Alfred died. And Edmund the etheling, his brother, succeeded to the kingdom, and he was then eighteen years of age ; and king Athelstan reigne-d ♦burteen years and ten weeks. Then was Wulfhelra arch- biniiop in Kent.

A. 941, This year the North-humbrians were faLw to

76 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a. i>. 942-945.

their plighted troth, and chose Anlaf of Lreland to be tliei!

kincr.

Here Edmund king, ruler of Angles, protector of men, ^Nlercia ol>tained, dear deed-doer, as the Dor flows, course of the white-well, and Huraber's river, broad sea-stream. Five towns, Leicester, and Lincoln, and Nottingham,

so Stamford eke,

and Derby,

to Danes were erew^hiie,

under North-men,

by need constrained,

of heathen men

in captive chains,

a long time ;

until again redeemed them,

for his worthiness,

the bulwark of warriors,

offspring of Edward,

Edmund king.

A. 941. This year kins: Edmund received king Anl.nf at baptism ; and that same year, a good long space after, he received king Reginald at the bishop's hands.

A. 942. This year king *Anlaf died.

A. 943. This year Anlaf stormed Tamworth, and great carnage -was on either hand ; and the Danes had the victory, and much booty they led away with them : there during the pillage was Wulfrun taken. This year king Edmund be- sieged king Anlaf and archbishop Wulfstan in Leicester ; and he would have taken them, were it not that they broke out by night from the town. And, after that, Anlaf acquired king Edmund's friendship ; and king Edmund then re- ceived king Anlaf at baptism, and he royally gifted him. And that same year, after a good long time, he received king Reginald at the bishop's hands. This year king l-^dmund delivered Glastonbury to St. Dunstan, where he afterwards became the first abbat.

A. 944. This year king Edmund subdued all Noi-thnm- berland under his power, and expelled two kings, Anlaf. gon of Sihtric, and Reginald, son of Guthferth.

A. 945. This year king Edmund ravaged all Cumber- land, and granted it all to Malcolm king of the Scots, on the

* See Hen. Huntingdon and Simeon of llurhnm. A. f'41 There were lev.Tii! chiefs of that name at this period : Anlaf the son of (jiutlUerthj Afvl^ the ion of Siliiricj uud Anlaf Cuirau, mentioned A. 948.

A.D.94G-954. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 77

condition, that lie should be his fellow-worker as well by sea as bj land.

A. 946. This year kinc^ Edmund died on St. Augustine's mass-day. That was widely known how he his days ended : that Leofa stabbed him at Puckle-church. And Aeltieda at Damerham, Elgar's daughter, the ealdorman, was then liis queen : and he had the kingdom six years and a hali". And then after him his brother Edred the etheling suc- ceeded to the kingdom, and subdued all Northumberland under his power : and the Scots gave him oaths, that they would all that he would.

A. 947. This year king Edred came to Tadden's-clifF, and there Wulfstan the archbishop and all the North-hum- brian " witan " plighted their troth to the king : and within a little while they belied it all, both pledge and also oaths.

A. 948. This year king Edred ravaged all Northum- berland, because they had taken Eric to be their king : and then, during the pillage, was the great minster burned at Ripon that St. Wilfrid built. And as the king went homewards, then the army of York overtook him : the rear of the king's forces was at Chesterford ; and there they made great slaughter. Then was the king so wroth that he would have marched his forces in again and wholly destroyed the land. When the North-humbrian "witan" understood that, then forsook they Eric, and made compensation for the deed with king Edred.

A. 949. This year Anlaf Curran came to Northumber- land.

A. 950.

A. 95 L This year died Elphege bishop of Winchester, on St. Gregory's mass-day. This same blessed St. Dunstan. . . .

A. 952. In this year king Edred commanded archbishop Wulfstan to be brought into the fastness at Jedburgh, because he had been oft accused to the king : and in this year also the king commanded great slaughter fo be made in the town of Thetford, in revenge of the abbat Edelm, whom they had before slain. This year the North-humbrians ex- pelled king Anlaf, and received Eric, Harold's son.

A. 953.

A. 954. This year the North-humbrians expelled Eric, and Edi-ed obtained the kingdom of the North-humbriaii!i,

78

THE ANGLO-SAXON CIIPwONICLE. a. d. 955-953.

Thh year archbishop Wulfstan again obtained a bishoprio at Dorchester.

A. 955. This 3^ear died king Edred on St. Clement's mass-day, at Frorae, and he rests in the Old-minster [Win- chester] ; and he reigned nine years and a half. And then Kd\vy succeeded to the kingdom, king Edmund's and St. Elfgiva'a son. And he banished St. Dunstan out of the land.

A. 955. And Edwy succeeded to the kingdom of the West-Saxons, and Ed„Mr his brother succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians : and they were the sons of King Edmund and of S. Elfj;iva.

A. 956.

A. 957. This year died Wulfstan archbishop of York, on the 1 7th before the Kalends of January, and he was buried at Oundle. And in the same year abbat Dunstan was driven away over sea. This year Edgar the etheling succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians.

A. 958. In this year arclibishop Odo* separated king Edwy and Elfgiva, because they were too nearly rehited. This year died king Edwy on tlie Kalends of October ; and Edgar his brother succeeded to the kingdom, as well of tlie West-Saxons as of the Mercians, and of the North-hum- brians ; and he was then sixteen years of age.

In his days

it prospered well,

and God him granted

that he dwelt in peace

the while that he lived ;

and he did as behoved him,

diligently he earned it.

lie upreared God's glory wide,

and loved God's law,

and bettered the public peace,

mo.^t of the kings

who were before him

in man's memory.

And God him eke so helped,

that kings and earls

gladly to him bowed,

taid were submissive

to that that he willed ;

and without war

he ruled all

that himself would.

He was wide

tiiroughout nations

greatly honoured,

because he honoured

God's name earnestly,

and God's law pondered

much and oft,

and God's glory reared

wide and far,

and wisely counselled,

most oft, and ever,

for God and for tlu: world,

of all Ids people.

Of Canterbury.

A.D. 959-963. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 79

One misdeed he did

and harmful people

allured to this land. But God grant him that his good deeds be more availing than his misdeeds, for his soul's protection on the lono;some course.

"D'-

all too much that he foreign vices loved, and heathen customs within this land brought too oft, and outlandish men liither enticed,

A. 959. This year Edgar sent after St. Dunstan, and gave him the bishopric at Worcester ; and afterwards the bishopric at London.

A. 960.

A. 961. This year departed Odo the Good, archbishop ; and St. Dunstan succeeded to the archbishopric.

A. 962. This year died Elfgar, the king's kinsman, in I^evonshire, and his body rests at Wilton. And king Sif- ferth killed himself, and his body lies at Wimborne. And then, within the year, there was a great mortality, and the great fever was in London ; and Paul's minster was burnt, imd that same year was again built up. In tliis same year Atliehnod the mass-priest went to Rome, and there died, on the 18th before the Kalends of September.

A. 963. This year died Wulfstan the deacon, on Childer- mass-day, and after that died Gyric the mass-priest. In this same year abbat Ethelwold* succeeded to the bishopric at \\'inchester, and he was consecrated on the vigil of St. Andrew : it was Sunday that day. In the year after he was consecrated, then made he many minsters, and drove the clerks out of the bishopric, because they would not observe any rule, and he set monks there. He made there two abba- cies ; one of monks, one of nuns ; all which was within Winchester. Afterwards, then came he to the king, Edgar, and begged of him that he would give him all the minsters which heathen men had formerly broken down, because he would restore them: and the king cheerfully granted it. Ajid then the bishop came first to Ely, w^here St. Etheldrida lies, and caused the minster to be made : then he gave it to one of his monks, who was named Britnoth. He then conse- crated him abbat, a:id there set monks to serve God where « Of Abingdon,

80 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. 963

previously had been nuns : he bought then many villages of the king, and made it very rich. After that cams bishop Etlielwold to the minsrer which was called jMedeshamstede, which formerly had lieeii destroyed by heathen men : he found nothing there but old walls and wild woods. There found he, hidden in the old wails, wa-itings that abbat Hedda had erewhile written, how king Wulfhere and Ethelred his brother had built it, and how they had freed it against king and against bishop, and against all secular ser- vices, and how the pope Agatlio had confirmed the same by his rescript, and the archbishop Deus-dedit. Then caused he the minster to be built ; and set there an abbat, who was called Adulf, and caused monks to be there where before was nothing. Then came he to the king, and caused him to look at the writings wdiich before were found ; and the king answered then and said :

" I, Edgar, grant and give to-day, before God and before the archbishop Dunstan, freedom to 8t. Peter's minster, Lledeshamstede, from king and from bishop : and all the villages which lie thereto ; that is to say, Eastfield, and Dodthorp, and Eye, and Fasten. And thus I free it, that no bishop have there any command, without the abbat of the minster. And I give the town which is called Oundle, with all which thereto lieth, that is to say, that which is called *the Eight-hundreds,' and market and toll, so freely, that neither king, nor bishop, nor earl, nor sheriff, have there any command, nor any man except the abbat alone, and him whom he thereto appointeth. And I give to Christ and St. Peter, and through the prayer of bishop Etlielwold, these lands ; that is to say, Barro, Warmington, Ashton, Ketter- ing, Castor, Eylesworth, Walton, Witherington, Eye, Thorp ; and one moneyer in Stamford. These lands, and all the others that belong to the minster, them declare I free : that is, with sack and sock, toll and team, and infangthief ; these rights, and all others, them declare I the shire of Christ and St. Peter. And I give the two parts of Whittlesey-mere, wnth the waters and with the wears and fens, and so through Meer- lade straight to the water which is called Nen, and so east- ward to King's-delf. And I will that a market be in the game town, and that no other be between St:imlbrd and Hun tingdon. And I will that the toll be thus given : first, from

A.D.pf>3. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 81

Wliittlesey-mere all as far as the king's toll of Norman-cross- hundred, and then back again iVom Whittlesey-niere, through Meerhide, straight to the Nen, and so as the water runneth to Crovvland, and from Crowland to Must, and from Must to King's-delii and to Whittlesey-mere. And I will that all liberties, and all the remissions tliat my predecessors have given, that they stand ; and I sign and confirm it with Christ's rood-token." y^

Then Dunstan the archbishop of Canterbury answered, and said : "I grant that all the things which here are given and spoken of, and all the things which thy predecessors and mine have conceded, those will I that they stand ; and who- soever this breaketh, then give I him the curse of God, and of all saints, and of all ordained heads, and of myself, unless he come to repentance. And I give, in acknowledgment, tc St. Peter, my mass-hackel, and my stole, and my ' reef,' for the service of Chi-ist." "I, Oswald, archbishop of York, assent to all these words by tlie holy rood which Christ suf- fered on.">^ "I, Ethelwold, bishop, bless all who shall observe this ; and I excommunicate all who shall break this, unless he come to repentance." Here was Elfstan bishop, Athulf bishop, and Eskwi abbat, and Osgar abbat, and Ethelgar abbat, and Elfere the ealdorman, Ethelwin the ealdorman, Britnoth ; Oslac the ealdorman, and many other great men : and all assented to it, and all signed it with Christ's cross, y^ This was done after the birth of our Lord nine hundred and seventy-two years, of the king's reign the sixteenth year.

Then the abbat Aldulf bought lands, numerous and many, then greatly enriched the minster withal ; and then was he there so long as until the archbishop Oswald of York was dead, and then he was chosen archbishop. And then, soon, another abbat was chosen of the self-same minster, who was called Kenulf : he was afterwards bishop at Winchester. And he first made the wall about the minster : then gave lie that to name Peterborough, which before was calLed Medes- hamstede: he was there until he was appointed bishop at Winchester. Then anotlier abbat was chosen of the self- same minster, who was called Elfsy : Elfsy was then abbat, from that time, fifty years. He took up St. Kyneburg and bt. Kyneswith, who lay at Ctistor. and St. Tibba, who lay at

82 THE ANGLO-SAXON CIIPwONICLE. a.d. 90:^972.

Rvhall, and brought them to Peterborough, and made aa oiiering of them all to St. Peter in one day ; and pre;:>erved them all the while he was there.

A. 963. Tliis year, by king Edgar, St. Ethelwold was chosen to the hishoprick at Winchester. And the archbishop of Canterbury, St. Dun- Btan, consecrated him bishop on the first Sunday of Advent ; that vvaa on tlie 3rd before the Kalends of December.

A. 964. This year king Edgar expelled the priests at Winchester from the Old-minster and from the New-mi iister, and from Chertsey, and from Milton, and filled them with monks ; and he appointed abbat Ethelgar abbat to the New- mi nster, and Ordbert to Chertsey, and Cyneward to Milton.

A. 9G4. This year were the canons driven out of the OUI-minster by kiny; Edgar, and also from the New-minster, and from Chertsey and from Milton ; and he appointed thereto monks and abbats : to the New-minster Eihelgar, to Chertsey Ordbert, to Milton Cyneward.

A. 965. In this year king Edgar took Elfrida for his queen ; she was daughter of Ordgar the ealdorman.

A. 966. This year Thored, Gunner's son, ravaged West- moreland. And that same year Oslac obtained an ealdordom.

A. 967.

A. 968. In this year king Edgar ordered all Thanet- land to be ravaged.

A. 969. 970.

A. 971. This year died archbishop Oskytel : he was first consecrated bishop of Dorchester, and afterwards of York ; by favour of king Edred, and of all his 'witan,* he was consecrated archbishop ; and he was a bishop twenty two years; and he died on the mass-night of All-Hallows, ten days before Martin-mass, at Thame. And abbat Thurkytel liis kinsman, carried the bishop's body to Bedford, because he was then, at that time, abbat there.

A. 972. This year died Edmund the etheling, and his body lies at Rumsey.

A. 972. This year Edgar the etheling was consecrated king at Bath, on Pentecost's mass-day, on the .5th before the Ides of May, the thirteenth year since he had obtained the kingdom ; and he was then one less thati thirty years of age. And soon after that, the king led all his ahip-forcea to Chester ; and there came to meet him six kings, and they all plighteU their trath to him, that they would be his fellow- workers by sea and bj

A.D. 97i THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE.

83

A. 973. Here was Edgar, ruler of Angles, in full assembly, li allowed king, at the old city Akemanscester ; but it the islanders, beorns, by another word, name Bath. There was much bliss on that blessed day to all occasioned, which cliildren of men name and call Pentecost's day. There was a heap of priests ; of monks a large band, as I have heard, of sage ones, gathered : and then agone was ten hundred years, told in numbers, from the birth- tide of the glorious King, Pastor of light, but that there remaining then still was, of yearly-tale, as writings say, sev^en and twenty: so nigh had to the Victor- lord a thousand run out wlien this befel. And himself, Edmund's offspring, had nine and twenty, guardian 'gainst evil works, years in the world waeu thi« was done,

• Of

and then in the tlnititth, was

hallowed ruler. A. 974. A. 975.

Here, ended

the joys of earth,

Edgar, of Angles king

chose him another li"fht I beauteous and winsome

and left this frail,

this barren life.

Children of men name,

men on the earth,

every where, that month,

in this land,

those who erewhile were

in the art of numbers

rightly taught,

July month,

when the youth departed,

on the eighth day,

Edgar, from life,

bracelet giver to heroes.

And then his son succeeded

to the kingdom,

a child un-waxen,

of earls the prince.

to whom was Edward name.

And him, a glorious chief.

ten days before,

departed from Britain,

the good bishop,*

through nature's course,

to whom was Cyneward nam at

Then was in Mercia,

as I have heard,

widely and every where* I the glory of the Lord I laid low on earth : I many were expelled. Welli.

g2

84

THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d.97^

»age servants of i.^ofl ;

tliat was much grief

to him wlio in his breast bore

a burning love

of the Creator, in his mind.

Then was tl le Source of wonders

too oft contemned ;

the Victor-lord,

heaven's Ruler. [through

Then men his law broke

and then was eke driven out,

beloved hero,

Oslac from this land,

o'er rolling waters,

o'er the ganet's-bath ;

hoary-haired hero,

wise and word-skilled,

o'er the water's throng,

o'er the whale's domain.

( of home bereaved. And then was seen, high in the heavens, a star in the firmament, which lofty-souled men, sage minded, call widely, cometa by name ; men skilled in arts, wise truth-bearers. Throughout mankind was the Lord's vengeance widely known, famine o'er earth. That again heaven's Guardian, bettered. Lord of angels, gave again bliss to each isle-dweller, through earth's fruits.

A. 975. The 8th before tlie Ides of i honoured far,

July.

Here Edgar died, ruler of Angles, West- Saxons' joy, and Mercians* protector.

Known was it widely throughout many nations. • Thaet' offspring of Edmund, o*er the ganet's-bath.

Kings him widely bowed to the king, as was his due by kind.

No fleet was so daring, nor army so strong, that 'mid the English nation took from him aught, the while that the noble king ruled on his throne.

And this year Edward, Edgar's son, succeeded to the kingdom ; and then Boon, in the same year, during harvest, appeared ' cometa' the star ; and then came in the fol'owinir year a very great famine, and very manifold commotions among the English people.

whom Edgar, king, ordered crcwhile the holy bishop

In his days,

for his youth,

God's gainsay ere

God's law broke ;

Eldfere, ealdorman,

and othw^ many ;

and rule monastic qiiashed,

and minstei-s dissolved,

and monks drove out,

and God's servants put do^vn,

Ethelwold to stablish ;

and widows they plundered,

many times and oft : ^ and many unrighteonsnessee,

and evil imjust-deeds j arose up afterwards . j and ever after that ' it greatly grew in evil.

KaA at that time also, was Oslac thcgreut earl banished from EogiAnd.

A.XS. 976 079. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHIIONICLE. 85

A- 976. 'I Ms year was the great famine among the Enq^- lish nation.

A. 977. This year, after Easter, was the great council at Kirtlington ; and there died bishop Sideman, by a sudden death, on the 2d before the Kalends of jMay. He wa^ bisliop in Devonsliire, and he desired tliat tlie resting-place of his body should be at Crediton, at his episcopal seat. Tlien commanded king Edward and archbishop Dunstan that he should be borne to St. Mary's minster, wliich is at Abingdon : and so too was it done : and he is moreover honourably buried on the north side, in St. Paul's chapel.

A. 978. Li this year all the chief ' witan' of the English nation fell at Calne from an upper cl] amber, except the holy archbishop Dunstan, who alone supported himself upon a beam ; and there some were grievously maimed, and some did not escape wnth life. In this year was King Edward martyred ; and Etiielred the etheling, his brother, succeeded to the kingdom, and he was in the same year consecrated kv:g. In that year died Alfwold ; he was bishop of Dorset, and his body lies in the minster at Sherborne.

A. 979. In this year was Ethelred consecrated king at Kingston, on the Sunday, fourteen days after Easter; and there were at his consecration two archbishops, and ten suffra- gan-bishops. That same year was seen a bloody cloud, often- times, in the likeness of hre ; and it w^as mostly apparent at midnight, and so in various beams was coloured : when it began to dawn, then it glided away.

A. 979. This year was king Edward slain at even-tide, at Cni-fe-cate, on the 15th before the Kalends of April, and then was he buried at \V?re- ham, without any kind of kingly honours.

There has not been 'mid Angles

a worse deed done

than this was,

since they first

Britain-land sought.

Men him murdered,

but God him glorified.

He was in life

an earthly king ;

he is now after death

a heavenly saint.

Hmi would not his earthly

k.m*men a venire,

but Ixim hath h.is heavenly Father

greatly avenged.

The earthly murderers

would his memory

on eartli blot out,

but the lofty A venger

hath his memory

in the heavens

and on earth wide-spread.

They who would not ere while

to his living

body bow down,

they now humbly

on knees bend

to his deaA hones.

86 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICt.E. a.d. gso^m

and their councils, are like nought 'gainst God's resolves.

Now we may understand that men's wisdom And their devices,

This year Ethelred succeeded to the kingdom ; and he was very qujcKly after that, with much joy of the English witan, consecrated king at Kingston.

A. 980. In this year abbat Ethelgar* was consecrated bishop on the 6th before the Nones of May, to the episcopal seat at Selsey. And in the same year was Southampton ravaged by a ship-force, and the most part of the townsmen shiin, and led captive. And that same year was Thanet-land ravag(^ by a sliip force, and tlie most part of the townsmen slain, and led captive. And that same year was Legecester-shire rChester] ravaged by a northern ship-force. In this year St. Dunstan and Alfere the ealdorman fetched the holy king^s body, vSt. Edward's, from Wareham, and bore it with much solemnity to Shaftsbury.

A. 981. In this year St. Petroc's-stowe [Padstow] wa3 ravaged ; and that same year was much harm done every- where by the sea-coast, as well among the men of Devon as among the Welsh. And in the same year died Elfstan bishop of Wiltshire, and his body lies in the minster at Abingdon ; and Wulfgar then succeeded to the bishopric. And in the same year died abbat Womaref at Ghent.

A. 981. This year came first the seven ships, and ravaged Southampton.

A. 982. In this year landed among the men of Dorset three ships of pirates ; and they ravaged in Portland. That same year London was burnt ; and in the same year died two ealdormen, Ethelmer in Hampshire, and Edwin in Sussex ; and Ethelmer's body lies at Winchester, in the New-minster, and Edwin's in the minster at Abingdon. This same year died two abbesses in Dorset, Herelufu at Shaftesbury, and Wulfwina at Wareham. And that same year went Otho the Koman emperor to Greek-land [Calabria], and there met he a large force of Saracens, coming up from the sea, and they would then go plundering the Christian people. And then the Empe- ror fought against them, and there was great slaughter made on either hand ; and the emperor had possession of the place oi tarnage : and nevertheless he was there much harassed be- fore he turned thence : and as he homeward went, then died

♦ Of New-minstet. t Of St. Peter's.

A.D.983 991. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 87

his brother's son, who was named Otho, and he was Jjeo dulf the etheling's son, and Leodulf was the elder Otho's »on and king Edward's daughter's son.

A. 983. This year died Alfere the ealdorman, and Alfi'ic succeeded to the same ealdorman-ship.* And Pope Benedict [VH.] died.

A. 984. This year died the benevolent bishop of Winches- ter, Ethelwold, father of monks, on the Kalends of August ; and the consecration of the succeeding bishop, Elphege [II.], wlio by another name was called Godwin, was on the 14th before the Kalends of November ; and he took the episcoj)al seat at Winchester, on the day of the two apostles Simon and Jude.

A. 985. This year was Alfric the eoldorman banished the land. And in the same year was Edwin consecrated abbat of the minster at Abingdon.

A. 986. This year the king laid waste the bishopric of Rochester. Tliis year first came the great murrain among cattle in the English nation.

A. 987.

A. 988. This year was Watchet ravaged, and Goda, the Devonshire thane, slain, and with him much slaughter made. And this year departed the holy archbishop Dunstan, and passed to the heavenly life : and bishop Ethelgarf succeeded, after him, to the archbisliopric ;J and little while after that he lived, but one year and three months.

A. 989.

A. 990. This year Siric was consecrated archbishop. § and aftPl■^v Hrds went to Rome for his pall. And abbat Ead- win|| dic<i ; and abbat "Wulfgar succeeded to the abbacy.

A. 991. This year was Ipswich ravaged; and after that, very shortly, was Britnoth the ealdorman slain at Maldon. And in that year it was decreed that tribute, ^or the fii'st time, should be given to the Danish-men, on account of the great terror which they caused by the sea-coast ; that was at first ten thousand pounds : this counsel was first given by archbishop Siric.

A. 992. This year Oswald the holy archbishop^ left -"his, and passed to the heavenly life: and Ethel win the eald^oi''

« Me-oiK- f OfSelsey. j Of Canterburv

i Oi Canterbury. 1| Of Abingdon. % Of York.

88 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. 992-993.

man* died in the same year. Then decreed the king and all his witan that all the ships which were worth anytliing should be gathered together at London. And the king then committed the forces to the leading of Elfric the ealdorman, and of Thorod the earl, and of bishop Elfstan,f and of bishop Escwj;J and they were to try if they could any where betrap the army about. Then sent the ealdorman Elfric and directed the army to be warned ; and then during the night of which they should have joined battle by day, then fled he by night from the forces, to his great disgrace : and the army then escaped, except one ship, whose crew was there slain. And then the ships from East-Anglia, and from London met the army, and there tliey made great slaughter of them ; and took the ship, all armed and equip- ped, in which the ealdorman was. And then after the de- cease of archbishop Oswald, abbat Aldulf, of Peterborough, succeeded to the bishopric of York, and of Worcester ; and Kenulf to the abbacy of Peterborough.

A. 992. This year Oswald the blessed archbishop died, and Abbat Eadulf succeeded to York and to Worcester. And this year the king and all his witan decreed that all the ships which were worth anytliing sliould he gathered together at London, in order that they might try if they could any where betrap the army from without. But yElfric the ealdonnan, one of those in whom the king had most confidence, directed the army to be warned; and in the night, as they should on the morrow have joined battle, the self-same iElfric fled from the forces; and then the axmy escaped.

A. 993. In this year was Bambrough entered by storm, and much booty there taken. And after that the army came to the mouth of the Humber, and there wrought much evil, as well in Lindsey as in Northumbria. Then a very large force was gathered together ; and as they should have joined battle, then the leadei's, first of all, began the flight; that was Frene, and Godwin, and Frithgist. In tliis year the king ordered Elfgar, son of Elfric the ealdorman, to be blinded.

A. 993. In this year came Olave with ninety-three ships to Staines, and ravaged there about, and then went thence to Sandwich, and so thence to IjKswicli, and that ail over-ran; and so to Maldon. And there liritnoth the cAidornian came against tliem with his forces, and fought against them: and they there slew the etildorman, and had possession of tlie place of

• Of E. Anglia. + Of London. $ Of Dor.he8t«r.

A.I). 994-095. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 89

ciiniHi^e. Ami ;irttT that jieiice wjm made with them; and hnn [Anlat ) the king afterwards received at the bishop's hands, through the instruclinn of Siric bishop of the Kentish-men, and of ^Iphtge [II.] of Winche»t<.>r.

A. 994. In this year came Olave and Sweyn to London, on the nativity of St. Mary, with ninety-four ships; and they then continued fit^liting stoutly against the city, and would also have set fire to it. But they there sustained more harm and evil than they ever supposed that any citizens would be able to do unto them. But the holy mother of God, on that day, shewed her mercy to the citizens and delivered them from their foes. And they then went tlience, and wrought the utmost evil that ever any army could do, by burning, and plundering, and by man-slaying, both by the sea-coast and among the East- Saxons, and in the land of Kent, and in Sussex, and in Hampshire. And at last they took to themselves horses, and rode as far as they would, and continued doing unspeakable evil. Then the king and his witan decreed that they should be sent to, and promised tribute and food, on condition that they should cease from their plundering : which terms they accepted. And then all the army came to Southampton, and there took up their winter-quarters: and there they were vic- tualled from all the realm of the West- Saxons, and they were paid sixteen thousand pounds of money. Then the king sent bishop Elpliege [II ]* and Ethelwerd the ealdorman after king Olave, and the while, hostages were delivered to the ships; and they then led Olave with much worship to the king at Andover. And king Ethelred received him at the bishop's hands, and royally gifted him. And then Olave made a covenant with him, even as he also fulfilled, that he never again would come hostilely to the English nation.

A. 995. In this year appeared *cometa,' the star, and archbishop Sigic died: and Alfric bishop of Wiltshire! was chosen J on Easter-day, at Amef^bury, by king Ethelred and by all his witan. This Alfric was a very wise man, so that there was no sager man in England. Then went Alfric to his arcliiepiscopal seat ; and when he came thither he was received by those men in orders who were most unacceptable to him, that was, by clerks. And soon (he sent for) all the wisest men he anywhere knew of, and also the old men who

• Of Winchester. t Ai\erward« Saliabu.-j. I To Cantcrbuiy.

90 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. 095.

tverc able to say the soothest how each thing had been in this land in the days of their elders; in addition to what himself had learned from books and from wise men. Him told the very old men, as well clergy as laity, that their elders had told them how it had been established by law so{m after St. Augustine came to this land. When Augus- tine had obtained the bishopric in the city,* then was he archbishop over all king Ethelbert's kingdom, as it is re- lated in Historia Anglorumf make (a bishop's) see l)y

the king's aid in ... . was begun by the old Romans ... and to sprout forth. In that company the foremost were Mel- li tus, Justus, Paulinus, Rufinianus. By these sent the blesst-d pope the pall, and therewith a letter, and instruction how he should consecrate bishops, and in which place in Britain he should seat them. And to the king (also) he sent letters and many worldly gifts of divers things. And the churches which they had got ready he commanded to be consecrated in the name of our Lord and Saviour Christ and St. Mary; and for himself there fix a dwelling-place, and for all his after-followers; and that he (should) place therein men of the same order that he had sent thither, and of which he

himself was, and also that each monks who should

fill the archi episcopal seat at Canterbury, and that be ever observed by God's leave and blessing and by St. Peter's, and by all who came after him. When this embassy came again to king Egelbert and to Augustine, they were very pleased with such instruction. And the archbishop then conse- crated the minster in Christ's name and St. Mary's, (on) the day which is called the mass-day of the two martyrs, Primus et Felicianus, and there within placed monks all as St. Gregory commanded : and they God's service continently performed ; and from the same monks bishops were taken for

each as thou mayst read in Historia Anglorum. J Then

was archbishop Alfric very blithe, that he had so many wit- nesses (who) stood best at that time with the king. Still more, the same witan who were with the archbishop said: Thus also we .... monks have continued at Christ-Church during Augustine's days, and during Laurentius', Mellitus*, Justus', Honorius', Deusdedit, Theodore's, Berthwold's, Tat» wine's, Nothelm's, Cuthbert's, Bregwine's, Lambert's, . . , . Cantertur/. f Bedoi b. L c. 25. * Bede, b. i. c. 33^

A.D.995. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 91

i\ thelixrd's, Wulfred's, Theologild's. But the (first) year whea Ceoliioth came to the archbishopric, there was such a mor- tidity that there remained no more than five monks within Christ-Church. During all his time there was war and sor- row in this Land, so that no man could think of anything else

but Now, God be thanked, it is in the king's power

and thine, whether they may be longer there within, because they (might) never better be brouglit thereout than now may be done, if it is the king's will and thine. The archbishop then, without any staying, with all (these) men, went anon to the king and showed liim all, so as we here before have related. Then was the king very glad (at these) tidings and said to the archbishop and to the others, 'It seemeth advisable to me that thou shouldst go first of all to Rome after thy (pall, and that) thou show to the pope all this, and, after that, act by his counsel:' And they all answered, that that was the best counsel. When (the priests) heai'd this, then resolved they that they should take two from amon^ themselves and send to the pope ; and they should ofier him great gifts and silver, on condition that he should give them the arch(-pall). But when they came to Rome, then would not the pope do that, because they brought him no letter either from the king or from the people, and commanded them to go, lo ! where they would. (So soon as) the priests had gone thence, came archbishop Alfric to Rome, and the pope received Ifim with mucn worship, and commanded him on the morrow to perform mass at St. Peter's altar, and the pope himself put on him his own pall, and greatly honoured him. When this was done, the archbishop began telling the pope all about the clerks, how it had happened, and how they were within the minster at his archbishopric. And the pope related to him again how the priests had come to him, and offered great gifts, in order that he should give them the paU. And the pope said, * Go now to England again with God's blessing, and St. Peter's and mine ; and as thou comest home, place in thy minster men of that order which St. Gregorius commanded Augustine therein to place, by God's command, and St. Peter's and mine.' Then the archbishop with this returned to England. As soon as he came home, he entered his archiepiscopal seat, and aft<ir tliat went to the (king) and the king and all his people thanked

92 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a. d. 996-999.

God for his return, and that he so had succeeded as was pleasing to them all. He then went again to Canterbury, and drove the clerks out of the minster, and there within placed monks, all as the pope commanded him.

A. 996. In this year wiis Alfric consecrated archbishop to Chript-Church.* This year was Wulstan ordained bishop of London.

A. 997. In this year the army went about Devonshire mto Severn-mouth, and there ravaged, as well among the C<:)rnish-men as among the North- Welsh, and among the men of Devon ; and then landed at Watchet, and there wrought much evil by burning and by man-slaying. And after that they again went about Penwithstert, on the south side, and went then into the mouth of the Tamar, and then went up until they came to Liddyford, and bui-ned and de- stroyed every tiling which they met with ; and they burned Ordulf's minster at Tavistock, and brought unspeakable booty with them to their ships. This year ai'chbishop Al- fric went to Rome after his arch-pall.

A. 998. This year the army went again eastward into Frome-mouth, and everywhere there they went up as far as they would into Dorset. And forces were often gatliered against them ; but, as soon as they should have joined battle, then was there ever, through some cause, flight begun ; and in the end they ever had the victory. And then at another time they sat down in the Isle of Wight, and got their food the while from Hampsliire and from Sussex.

A. 999. This year the army again came about into Thames, and went then up along the Medway, and to Rochester. And then the Kentish forces came there to meet them, and they there stoutly joined battle r but alas ! that they too quickly yielded and fled ; for they had not the sup- port which they should have had. And the Danish-men had possession of the place of carnage ; and then they took horse and rode wheresoever they themselves would, and full nigh all the West-Kentish men they ruined and plundered. Then the king, with his witan, decreed that, with a ship force and also with a land force, they should be attacked. But when th«; shipswere ready, tlien the miserable crew delayed Irom day to day, and distressed the poor people who la,j in • Canterbury.

A.D. 1000. 1001. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 93

the ships : and ever su* it should have been forwarder, so was it later from one time to another ; and ever tliey let their enemies* forces increase, and ever the people retired from tlie sea. and they ever went forth after them. And then in the end, these expeditions both by sea and land effected nothiniz;, except tlie people's distress and waste of money, and the emboldening of their foes.

A. 1000. In this year the king went into Cumberland, and ravaged it well nigh all. And his ships went out about Chester, and should have come to meet him, but they were not able . then ravaged they Anglesey. And the hostile fleet went tliis summer to Richard's dominions.*

A. 1001. In this year was much hostility in the land of the English through the ship-force, and well nigh every where they ravaged and burned, so that they advanced in one course until they came to the town of Alton ; and then there came against them the men of Hampshire, and fought against them. And there was Ethelwerd the king's high-steward slain, and Leofric at Whitchurcli, and Leot'win the king's liigh-steward, and Wulfhere the bishop's thane, and Godwin at Worthy, bishop Elfsy's son,f and of all men, one and eighty ; and there were of the Danish-men many more slain, though they had possession of the place of car- nage. And they went thence west until they came to Devon ; and there Paley came to meet them, with the ships which he could gather, because he had fled from king Ethel- red, contrary to all the plighted troth that he had given him ; and the king had also well gifted him with houses, and with gold and with silver. And they burned Teignton, and also many other good towns which we are unable to name ; and thei'e, aftervk^ards, peace was made with them. And they tlien went thence to Exmouth, so that they proceeded up- wards in one course until they came to Pen : and there Cole the king's high-reve, and Edsy the king*s-reve, went against them with the forces which they were able to gather together ; and they there were put to flight, and there were many slain : and the Danish-men had possession of the place of carnage. And the morning after, they burned the villag<» of Pen and at Clifton, and also many goodly towns which we are unnble to name, and then went again east until thtf^ • Kormandj. f gee A. 1032 below.

94 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a. d. 1002, 1003.

came to the Isle of Wiirht ; and on the morning after, they bu'-iied the town at Waltham, and many other small townis and soon after a treaty was entered into with them, and they made peace.

A. 1001. This year the army came to Exmouth, and then went up to the town, and there continued figliting stoiitly ; but they were very strenu- ously resisted. Then went they tlirough the land, and did all as was their wont ; destroyed and burnt. Then was collected a vast force of the peo- ple of Devonand of the people of Somerset, and they then came together at Pen, And so soon as they joined battle, then the people gave way : and there they made great slaughter, and then they rode over the land, and their last incursion was ever worse than the one before : and then thev brought much booty with them to their ships. And thence they went into the Isle of Wight, and there they roved about, even as they themselves would, and nothing withstood them : nor any fleet by sea durst meet them ; nor land force either, went they ever so far up. Then was it in every wise a heavy time, because they never ceased from their evil doings.

A. 1002. In this year the king decreed, and his witan, that tribute should be paid to the fleet, and peace made with them, on condition that they should cease from their evil- doings. Then sent the king to the fleet Leofsy the caldorman ; and he then settled a truce with them by the king's word, and his witan's, and that they should receive food and tribute. And that they then accepted : and then were they paid twenty-four thousand pounds. Then during this, Leofsy the ealdorman slew Eafy the king's high-steward ; and the king then banished him ilie land. And then m the same Lent came the lady, Richard's * daughter, Emma Elfgive, hither to land : and in the same summer archbishop Aldulf f died. And in that year the king ordered all the Danish-men who were in England to be slain. This was done on St. Brice's mass-day ; because it was made known to the king that they would treacherously bereave him of his life, and afterwards all his witan ; and after that have his kingdom without any gainsaying.

A. 1003. This year was Exeter entered by storm, through tlie French churl Hugh, whom the J lady had appointed her steward: and then the army entirely ruined the town, and there took much booty. And in the same year the army went up into Wiltshire. Then was gathered a very large force from Wiltsliire and from Hampshire, and very

• Duke of Normandy. f Of York J Lmma.

A.D. 1004, 1005. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 95

rr^solutely tliey came in presence of the army. Thee should tke ealdonnan Elt'ric have led the forces, but he then had recourse to his old devices : as soon as they were so near that either amiy could look on the other, then feigned he himself sick, and began by retching to spew, and said that he was grievously ill : and thus deceived the people whom he should have led ; as it is said : When tlie leader groweth feeble, then is all the army greatly liindered. When S^veyn saw that they were not unanimous, and that they all separated, then led he his army into Milton ; and they spoiled the town, and burned it ; and he went then to Salisbury, and thence went to the sea again, where he knew that his sea-horses were.

A. 1004. Tliis year came Sweyn with his fleet to Norwich, and entirely spoiled and burned the town. Then decreed Ulfkytel, with the witan of East-Anglia, that it were better that they should purchase peace of the army before they did very much harm in the land ; because they had come unawares, and he had not time that he might gather his forces. Then during the truce which ought to have been between them, then stole the army up from their ships, and went their way to Thetford. When Ulfkytel understood that, then sent he word that the ships should be hewed in pieces, but they in whom he trusted failed to do it, and he then gathered his forces secretly, as he best might. And the army then came to Thetford, within three weeks of their having before plundered Norwich, and were one day there witliin, and plundered and burned the town. And then on tlie morrow, as they would have gone to their ships, then came Ulfkytel with his band, in order that they might there join battle with them. And they there stoutly joined battle, and much slaughter was there made on either hand. There were the chief among the East-Anglian people slain ; but if the full force there had been, they never again had gone to their ships ; inasmuch as they themselves said, that they never had met a worse hand-play among the English nation than Ulfkytel had brought to them.

A. 1005. In this year was the great famine throughout the English nation ; such, that no man ever before recollected one so grim. And the fleet in this year went from this land lo Donmark ; ar.d staid but a little space ere it came again.

96 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. looe.

A. 1006 Tliis year died archbishop Alfric, and after him bishop Elphege [11.] succeeded to tiie arclibishopnc :* and bi* »hop Brithwin succeeded to the bishopric of Wiltshire."!" And in the same year was Vv'ulfgeat deprived of all his possessions, and Wulfeah and Ufgeat were blinded, and Elfelm the ealdorman was slain ; and bishop Kenulf J died. And then^ after mid-summer, then came the great fleet to Sandwich, and did all as they had been before wont ; they ravaged, and burned, and destroyed, wherever they went. Then the king commanded all the people of Wessex and of Mercia to be called out ; and then tliey lay out all the harvest in the field against the army. But it availed notliing the more than it oft before had done : but for all this the army went wheresoever itself would, and the forces did every kind of harm to the inhabitants ; so that neither profited them, nor the home army nor the foreign army. When it became winter, then went the forces home ; and the army then came, over St. Martin's-mass, to their quarters in the Isle of ^Vight, and procured themselves there from all parts that which they needed. And then, at mid-winter, they went to their ready store, throughout Hampshire into Berkshire, to Reading: and they did their old wont ; they lighted their war-beacons as they went. Then went they to "V^'allingford, and that all burned, and were then one day in Gholsey : and they went then along Ashdown to Cuckamsley-hill, and there abode, as a daring boast ; for it had been often said, if they should reach Cuckamsley-liill, that they would never again get to the sea : then they went homewards another way. Then were forces assembled at Kennet, and they there joined battle • and they soon brought that band to flight, and afterwards carried their booty to the sea. But there might the Winchester-men see an army daring and fearless, as they went by their gates towards the sea, and fetched themselves food and treasures over fifty miles from the sea. Then had the king gone over Thames into Slu-opshire, and there took his abode during the mid-winter's tide. Then became the dread of the army so great, that no man could think or discover how they could be driven out of the land, or tliis land maintained against them ; for they had every shire ir

* Of Canterbi.rv. f Afterwards the dic^ceflc of Salisbuiy.

t Of Wincherter.

A.D. 1006-1009. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 97

Wessex sadlj marked, by burning and by plundering. Then the king began eai*nestly with ^jis witan to consider what mi^ht seem most advisable to them all, so that this land might be saved, before it was utterly destroyed. Then the king and his witan decreed, for the behoof of the whole nation, though it was hateful to them all, that they needs must pay tribute to the army. Then the king sent "^o the army, and directed it to be made known to them, that he would that there should be a truce between them, and that tribute should be paid, and food given them. And then all that they accepted : and then were they victualled from throughout the English nation.

A. 1006. This year Elphege [II.] was consecrated archbishop.*

A. 1007. Li this year was the tribute delivered to the army, that was thirty-six thousand pounds. In this year also was Edric appointed ealdorman over the kingdom of Mercia. This year bishop Elphege went to Rome after his pall.

A. 1008. This year the king commanded that ships should be speedily built throughout the English nation : that is then, from three hundred hides and from ten hides, one vessel ; and from eight hides, a helmet and a coat of mail.

A. 1009. In this year were the ships ready about which we before spake ; and there were so many of them as never before, according as books say unto us, had been among the English nation in any king's days. And they were all brought together to Sandwich, and there they were to lie and defend this land against every foreign army. But still we had not the good fortune nor the worthiness, that the ship-force could be of any use to this land, any more than it oft before had been. Then befell it at this same time, or a little before, that Brihtric, Edric the ealdorman's brother, accused [of treason] to the king Wulfnoth the " child " of the South- Saxons, father of Godwin the earl. He then went out, and enticed ships unto him, until he had twenty ; and he then ravaged every where by the south coast, and wrought every kind of evil. Then it was told unto the ship-forces that they might be easily taken, if they would go about it. Then Brihtric took with him eighty ships, and thought that he fthouid acquire griat fame if he could seize Wulfncth alive • Of Canterbury. „

98 TH]]] AKGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. im

or dead. But as they were on their way thither, then cAme such a wind against them as no man before remembered, and the ships it then utterly beat, and smashed to pieces, and cast upon the land ; and soon came Wulfnoth, and burned the ships. When this was thus known in the other ships where the king was, how the others had fared, tlien was it as if it had been all hopeless ; and the king went his way liome, and the eaklormen and the nobility, and thus lightly left the ships ; and then afterwards, the people who were in the ships brought them to London : and they let the whole nation's toil thus lightly pass away ; and no better was that victory on which the whole English nation had fixed their hopes. When this ship-expedition had thus ended, then came, soon after Lammas, the vast hostile army, which we have called Thurkill's army, to Sandwich ; and they soon went their way to Canterbury, and the city would soon have subdued, if the citizens had not first desired peace of them : and all the people of East-Kent made peace with the army, and gave them three thousand pounds. And then, soon after that, the army went forth till they came to the Isle of Wight ; and thence every where in Sussex, and in Hampshire, and also in Berkshire, they ravaged and plundered as their wont is.* Then the king commanded the whole nation to be called out ; so that they should be opposed on every side : but lo ! nevertheless, they marched as they pleased. Then, upon a certain occasion, the king had got before them with all his forces, as they would go to their ships ; and all the people were ready to attack them. But it was then prevented thj-ough Edric the ealdorman, as it ever is still* Then, after St. Martin's-mass, they went once more into Kent, and took up their winter-quarters on the Thames, and ob tained their food from Essex, and from the shires which wore there nearest, on both sides of the Thames. And ot\ they fought against the city of London : but praise be to God that it yet stands sound, and they there ever met with ill fare. And then, after mid-winter, took they their way upwards through Chiltern, and so to Oxford, and burned the city 5 and betook themselves then, on both «»ides of the

• These expressions in the present tense afford a strong proof that the orifrinal records of these transactions are nearly coeval with the transiictioiM ifeciiaelves. Later MSS. use the oast tense. — Inuiuh.

A.D.1010. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 93

niAin*^8, towards their ships. Then were they warned thrrt tliere were forces gathered at London against them : tlieu went they over at Staines. And thus they went the whole winter ; and during Lent they were in Kent, and repaired flbeir ships.

A. 1010. This year, after Easter, came the fore-mentioned army into East-Anglia, and landed at Ipswich, and went forthwith where they understood Ulfkyiel was with his forces. This was on the day, called the first of the ascension of our Lord. The East Angles soon fled. Then stood Cam- bridge-shire firmly against them. There was slain Athelstan the king's son-in-law, and Oswy and his son, and WuLfric, Leofwin's son, and Eadwy, Efy's brother, and many other good thanes, and numberless of the people : the flight first began at Thurkytel Myrehead. And the Danes had possession of the place of carnage : and there were they horsed ; and afterwards had dominion over East-Anglia, and the land three months ravaged and burned ; and they even went into the wild fens, and they destroyed men and cattle, and burned throughout the fens : and Thetford they burned, and Cam- bridge. And after that they went southward again to the Thames, and the men who were horsed rode towards the ships ; and after that, very speedily, they went westward into Oxfordshire, and thence into Buckinghamshire, and so along the Ouse until they came to Bedford, and so onwards to Temsford ; and ever burning as they went. Then went they again to their ships with their booty. And when they went to their ships, then ought the forces again to have gone out against them, until they should land ; but then the forces went home : and when they were eastwards, then were the forces kept westwards ; and when they were southwards, then were our forces northwards. Then were all the witan summoned to the king, and they were then to counsel how this land might be defended. But although something might be then counselled, it did not stand even one month : at last there was no chief who would assemble forces, but each fled as he best might ; nor, at the last, would even one shire assist another. Then before St. Andrew's mass-day, came the enemy to Northampton, and they soon burned the town and took there-about as much as they themselves would ; ftnd thence they went over Thanies into Wesaex, and so by

H 2

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Cannings-marsh, burning all the way. When they had gone so far as they then would, then came they at mid-winter to their ships.

A. ion. In this year sent the king and his witan to the army, and desired peace, and promised them tribute and food, on condition that they would cease from their plundering. They had then over-run, 1st, East-Anglia, and 2d, Essex, and 3d, Middlesex, and 4th, Oxfordshire, and 5th, Cambridge- shire, and 6th, Hertfordshire, and 7th, Buckinghamshire, and 8th, Bedfordshire, and 9th, half of Huntingdonshire, and 10th, much of Northamptonshire ; and south ot Thames, all Kent, and Sussex, and Hastings, and Surry, and Berkshire, and Hampshire, and much of Wiltsliire. All these misfortunes befel us through unwise counsel, that they were not in time offered tribute, or fought against ; but when they had done the most evil, then peace and truce were made with them. And nevertheless, for all the truce and tribute, they went everywhere in bands, and plundered our miserable people, and robbed and slew them. And then in this year, between the Nativity of St. Mary and St. Mi chad's -mass, they besieged Canterbury, and got into it through treachery, because Elfmar betrayed it, whose life the archbishop Elphege had before saved. And there they took the archbishop Elphege, and Elfward the king's steward, and the abbess Leo- fruna,* and bishop Godwin.f And abbat Elfmar { they let go away. And they took there witliin all the men in orders, and men and women : it is not to be told to any man how many there were. And they remained within the city afterwards as long as they would. And when they had thoroughly searched the city, then went they to their ships, and led the archbishop with them. Was then captive erewhile saw bliss,

he who erewhile was in that hapless city,

head of the English race whence to us came first

and Christendom. Cliristendom and bliss,

There might then be seen 'fore God, and 'fore the world, misery, where men oft

And they kept the archbishop with them so long as mtil the time that they martyred him.

A 1012. In this year came Edric the ealdorman, and all • Of S. ^lildied'a. + Godwin 111. of Rochester. * Of St. Augustine'i.

A.D.101S. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 101

the chief witan, clergy and laity, of the English people to London, before Easter ; Easter-day was tlien on the Ides of April ; and they were there then so long as until all the tribute was paid, after Easter ; that was eight and forty thousand pounds. Then on the Saturday was the army greatly excited against the bishop, because he would not pro- mise them any money : but he forbade that any thing slioirtd be given for him. They had also drunk deeply, for wine had been brought there from the south. Then took they the bishop, led him to their hustings on the eve of Sunday, the octaves of Easter, which was on the 13th before the Kalends of May ; and there they then shamefully slaughtered him : they cast upon him bones and the horns of oxen, and then one of them struck him with an axe-iron on the head, so that with the blow he sank down ; and his holy blood fell on the earth, and his holy soul he sent forth to God's kingdom. And on the morrow the body was carried to London, and the bishops Ednoth* and Elfhun,"f and the townsmen, re- ceived it with all reverence, and buried it in St. Paul's minster ; and there God now manifesteth the miraculous powers of the holy martyr. When the tribute was paid, and oaths of peace were sworn, then the army separated widely, in like manner as before it had been gathered together. Then became subject to the king five and forty ships of the army, and covenanted with him that they would defend this country, and that he should feed and clothe them.

A. 1013. In the year after that in which the archbishop Elphege was martyred, the king appointed bishop Living to be archbishop of Canterbury. And in this same year, before the month of August, came king Sweyn with his fleet to Sandwich, and went then, very soon, about East- Anglia into the mouth of the Humber, and so upward along Trent, until he came to Gainsborough. And then, soon, Utred the earl and all the North-humbrians submitted to him, and aU the people in Lindsey, and afterwards the people in the Five Boroughs, J and soon after, all the army north of WatUng-street ; and hostages were delivered to him from every shire. Alter he had learned that all the people were

♦ Of Dorchester. + Of London.

5 Namely, Leicester Lincoln, Nottingham, Stamford, and Deioy. S*j« 942, 1015.

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obedient to liim, then bade he that his army should be victualled and horsed ; and he then afterwards went south- ward with all the forces, and committed the ships and the hostages to his son Canute. And after he came over Watling- street, they wrought the most evil that any army could do. Then went he to Oxford, and the townsmen soon submitted, and delivered hostages ; and thence to Winchester, and they did the like. Then went he thence eastward to London, and much of his people was drowned in the Thames, because they kept not to any bridge. When he came to the city, then would not the townsmen submit, but held out against him with all their might, because king Ethelred was therein, and Thurkill with him. Then went king Sweyn thence to Wallingford, and so over the Thames westward to Bath, and sat down there with his forces. A nd Ethelmar the ealdor- man came thither, and the western thanes with him, and they all submitted to Sweyn, and delivered hostages for them- selves. And when he had thus succeeded, then went he northward to his ships ; and then all the people held him for full king. And after that the townsmen of London sub- mitted, and delivered hostages, because they dreaded lest he should utterly undo them. Then Sweyn ordered a full-tri- bute and provisions for his army during the winter ; and Thurkill ordered the like for the army which lay at Green- wich : and for all that, they plundered as oft as they would. Then was this people nothing benefited either from the south or from the north. Then was king Ethelred some while with the fleet which lay in the Thames ; and the lady* then departed over sea to her brother Richard,f and Elfsy, abbat of Peterborough, with her. And the king sent bishop Elfhun with the ethelings, Edward and Alfred, over sea, that he might have charge of them. Then departed the king from the fleet at mid-winter into the Isle of Wight, and was there during that tide ; and after that tide he went over the sea to Richard, and was there with him until such time as Sweyn was dead. And the while that the lady was with her brother beyond sea, Elfsy, abbat of Peterborough, who was there with lier, went to the minster which is called Boneval, where St. Florentine's body lav. There found he a poor place, a poor abbat, and poor monks ; for they had been plundered. Then • Emma. f Duke of Normandy.

AD. 1U14. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 103

©ought he there of the abbat and of the monks St. FIf ren tine's body, all except the head, for five hundred pounds ; and then when he came home again, then made he an offer- ing of it to Chi'ist and St. Peter.

A. 1014. In this year king Sweyn ended his days, at Candlemas, on the tliird before the Nones of February. And that same year Alwy was consecrated bishop of London, at York, on St. Juliana's mass-day. And all the fleet then chose Canute for king. Then counselled all the witan who were in England, clergy and laity, that they should send after king Ethelred ; and they declared that no lord were dearer to them than their natural lord, if he would rule them better than he had before done. Then sent the king his son Edward hither with his messengers, and ordered them to greet all his people ; and said that he would be to them a loving lord, and amend all those things which they all ab- horred, and each of those things should be forgiven which had been done or said to him, on condition that they all, with one consent, would be obedient to him, without deceit. And they tlien established full friendship, by word and by pledge, on either half, and declared every Danish king an outlaw from England for ever. Then, during Lent, king Ethelred came home to his own people ; and he was gladly received by them all. Then, after Sweyn was dead, Canute^ sat with his army at Gainsborough until Easter ; and it was agreed between him and the people of Lindsey that they should find him horses, and that afterwards they should all go out to- gether, and plunder. Then came king Ethelred thither, to Lindsey, with his full force, before they were ready : and then they plundered, and burned, and slew all the people whom they could reach. And Canute went away out with his fleet, and thus the poor people were deceived through him, and then he went southward until he came to Sandwich ; and there he caused the hostages to be put on shore who had been delivered to his father, and cut off th^eir hands, and ears, and noses. And besides all these evils, the king ordered the army which lay at Greenwich to be paid twenty- one thousand pounds. And in this year, on the eve of St. JVIichael's mass, came the great sea-flood wide throughout this land, and ran so far up as it never before had done, aj i washed away many towns, and a couxitlei&s number of poupid

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A. 1015. In this year was the great council at Oxford ; and there Edric the ealdorman betrayed Sigeferth and Morcar, the chief thanes in the Seven Boroughs. He allured them into his chamber, and there within they were cruelly slain. And the king then took all their possessions, and ordered Sigeferth's relict to be taken, and to be brought to Malmesbury. Then, after a little space, Edmund the etheling went there and took the woman, contrary to the king's will, and had her for his wife. Then, before the Nativity of St. Mary, the etheling went thence, from the west, north to the Five Boroughs, and soon took possession of all Sigeferth's property, and Morcar's ; and the people all submitted to him. Ajid then, during the same time, came king Canute to Sandwich ; and soon after went about Kent into Wessex, until he came to the mouth of the Frome : and then he ravaged in Dorset, and in Wiltshire, and in Somer- set. Then lay the king sick at Corsham. Then gathered Edric the ealdorman forces, and the etheling Edmund in the north. When they came together, then would the ealdorman betray the etheling, but he was not able : and tii-ry then parted without a battle on that account, and gave way to their foes. And Edric the ealdorman then enticed forty ships from the king, and then went over to Canute. And the men of Wessex submitted, and delivered hostages, and horsed the army ; and then was it there until mid-winter.

A. 1016. In this year came Canute with his army, and Edric the ealdorman with him, over Thames into Mercia at Cricklade. And then they went to Warwickshire, during the midwinter's tide, and ravaged, and burned, and slew all that they could come at. Then began the etheling Edmund to gather his forces. When the forces were assembled, then would it not content them except it so were that the king were there with them, and they might have the help of the citizens of London : then gave they up the expedition, and each man went liim away home. Then after that tide, the forces were again called out, so that each man, who was able to go, should come forth, under full penalties ; and they sent to the king at London, and prayed him that he would come to meet the forces vdth such help as he could gather. When they all had come together, then xi ft vailed them nothing more than it oft before had duuo.

A.D. 1016. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 105

Then was it made known to the king that they would betray liim ; they who ought to have been of aid to him. Then left he the forces and returned to London. Then rode the etheling Edmund into North-humbria to Utred the earl, and every man thought that they would assemble forces against king Canute. Then marched they into Staffordshire, and into Shropsliire, and to Chester ; and they plundered on their part, and Canute on his part. He went out through Buckinghamshire into Bedfordshire, and thence to Hunting- donshire, and so into Northamptonshire along the fens to Stamford, and then into Lincolnshire ; then thence to Nottinghamshire, and so to North-humbria towards York. When Utred heard tliis, then left he off his plundering, and hastened northwards, and then submitted, from need, and all the North-humbrians with him ; and he delivered hostages : and, notwithstanding, they slew him, through the counsel of Edric the ealdorman, and Thurkytel, son of Nafan, with him. And then, after that, king Canute appointed Eric to be his earl in North-humbria, in like manner as Utred had been ; and afterwards went southward, by another way, all to the west : and then before Easter, came all the army to their ships. And the etheling Edmund went to London to his father. And then, after Easter, went king Canute with all his ships towards London. Then befell it that king Ertbelred died, before the ships arrived. He ended his days on St. George's mass day, and he held his kingdom with great toil and under great difficulties the while that his life lasted. And then, after his end, all the peers who were in London, and the citizens, chose Edmund to be king : and he strenuously defended his kingdom the while that his time lasted. Then came the ships to Greenwich at Rogation days. And within a little space they went to London, and they dug a great ditch on the south side, and dragged their ships to the west side of the bridge ; and then afterwards they ditched the city around, so that no one could go either in or out : and they repeatedly fought against the city ; but the citizens strenuously withstood them. Then had the king Edmund, before that, gone out ; and then he over-ran Wessex, and all the people submitted to him. And soon after that he fought against the army at Pen, near GiUingham. And a second battle he fought, after mid-summer, at Sherston ; and ther

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much slaughter was made on either side, and the armies of

themselves separated. In that battle was Edric the ealdorman, and JFAmer darling, helping the army against king Edmund. And then gathered he his forces for the third time, and went to London, all north of Thames, and so out through Clayhanger ; and relieved the citizens, and drove the army in flight to their ships. And then, two days after, the king went over at Brentford, and there fought against the army, and put them to flight : and there many of the English people were drowned, from their own carelessness ; they who went before the forces, and would take booty. And after that the king went into Wessex, and collected his forces. Then went the army, soon, to London, and beset the city around, and strongly fought against it, as well by water as by land. But the Almighty God delivered it.

The enemy went then, after that, from London, with their ships, into the Orwell, and there went up, and proceeded into Mercia, and destroyed and burned whatsoever they over-ran, as is their wont, and provided themselves with food : and they conducted, as well their ships as their droves, into the Medway. Then king Edmund assembled, for the fourth time, all his forces, and went over the Thames at Brentford, and went into Kent ; and the army fled before him, with their horses, into Sheppey : and the king slew as many of them as he could overtake. And Edric the ealdorman went then to meet the king at Aylesford : than which no measure could be more ill-advised.

The army then went again up into Essex, and passed into Mercia, and destroyed whatever it over-ran.

When the king learned that the army was upward, then assembled he, for the fifth time, all the English nation, and followed after them, and overtook them in Essex, at the down which is called Assingdon : and there they strenuously joined battle. Then did Edric the ealdorman, as he had oft before done, begin the flight first with the Maisevethians, and so betrayed his royal lord and the whole people of th<i I'^nglish race. There Canute had the victory ; and all the English nation fought against him. There was slain bishop Ldaotli,* and abbat Wulsy, and Elfric the ealdorman, • Of Dorcneausr

A. p. 1017,1018. THE ANGLO-SAaON CHRONICLE. 107

and Godwin the ealdorman of Lindsey, and Ulfkytel of E^st-Anglia, and Ethelward, son of Etliclwine* the ealdor- man; and all the nobility of the English race was there destroyed.

Then, after this battle, went king Canute up with his army into Gloucestershire, wiiere he learned that king Edmund was.

Then advised Edric the ealdorman, and the counsellors who were there, that the kings should be mutually reconciled. And they delivered hostages mutually ; and the kings came together at Olney near Deerhurst, and then confirmed their friendship as well by pledge as by oath, and settled the tribute for the army. And they then separated with this recon- cilement : and Edmund obtained Wessex, and Canute Mercia and the northern district. The army then went to their ships witli the things they had taken. And the men of London made a truce with the army, and bought themselves peace: and the army brought their ships to London, and took up their winter-quarters therein. Then, at St. An- drews mass, died king Edmund ; and his body lies at Glastonbury, with his grandfather Edgar. And in the same year died Wulfgar, abbat of Abingdon ; and Ethelsy succeeded to the abbacy.

A. 1017. Li this year king Canute obtained the whole realm of the English race, and divided it into four parts: Wessex to himself, and East-Anglia to Thurkill, and Mer- cia to Edric, and North-humbria to Eric. And in this year was Edric the ealdorman slain in London, very justly, and Norman, son of Leofwin the ealdorman, and Ethel- ward, son of Ethelmar the great, and Britric, son of Elphege, in Devonshire. And king Canute banished Edwy the etheling, and afterwards commanded him to be slain, and Edwy king of the churls. And then, before the Kalends of August, the king commanded the relict of king Ethelred, Richard's daughter, to be fetched for his wife ; that was Elf- give in EngUsh, Emma in French.

A. 1017. This year Canute was chosen king.

A. 1018. In this year the tribute was delivered through- out the whole English nation ; that was altogether, two an4

• Cahed Etheby in wimj MSi^

108 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. ioi9-io2a

seventy thousand pounds, besides that which the townsmen of London paid, which was ten and a half thousand pounds And then some of the army went to Denmark, and forty ehips remained with king Canute. And the Danes and the Angles agreed, at Oxford, to live under Edgar's law. And this year abbat Ethelsy died at Abingdon, and Ethelwine succeeded him.

A. 1019. This year king Canute went with forty ships to Denmark, and there abode all the winter.

A. 1019. And this winter died archbishop Elfstan :* he was named Living; and he was a very prondent man, both as to God and as to thj world.

A. 1020. In this year died archbishop Living: and king Canute came again to England. And then, at Easter, there was a great council at Cirencester: then was outlawed Ethelward the ealdorman, and Edwy, king of the churls. And in this year went the king to Assingdon, and arch- bishop Wulstan [II.]jt ^^^ Thurkyl the earl, and many bishops and also abbats, and many monks with them, and consecrated the minster at Assingdon. And Ethelnoth the monk, who was dean at Christ-Church, was in the same year, on the Ides of November, consecrated bishop at Christ-Church,^ by archbishop Wulfstan.

A. 1020. And caused to be built there a minster of stone and lime, for the souls of the men who there were slain, and gave it to one of his priests, whose name was Stigand.

A. 1021. In this year, at Martin-mass, king Canute out- lawed Thurkyl the earl. And bishop Elfgar,§ the alms- giver, died on Christmas-morn.

A. 1022. This year king Canute went out with his ships to the Isle of Wight. Archbishop Ethelnoth went to Rome, and was there received by Benedict, the honourable pope, with much worship ; and he, wdth his own hands, put his pall upon him, and very honourably consecrated him archbishop, and blessed him, on the Nones of October. And the arch- bishop soon after, on the self-same day, sang mass therewith : and then thereafter was honourably entertained by the same pope, and also himself took the pall from St. Peter's altar j

♦ Of Canterbury. f Of York.

I Cftnterbury. ^ Of Elmluaa.

A.IX 1022, 1023. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 109

*nd then afterwards he blithelj went home to his coantry. And abbat LeoA\dne, who had been unjustly driven out from Ely, was his companion; and he cleared himself of everything that was said against him, as the pope instructed him, in the presence of the archbishop, and of all the fellow- ship which was with him.

A. 1022. And afterwards with the pall he there performed mass as the pope instructed him: and he feasted after that with the pope; and after- wards went home with a full blessing.

A. 1023. This year king Canute came again to England, and Thurkyl and he were reconciled ; and he committed Den- mark and his son to the keeping of Thurkyl; and the king tfX)k Thurkyl's son with him to England. This year died archbishop Wulfstan :* and Elfric succeeded him ; and archbishop Ethelnoth blessed him at Canterbury. Tliis year king Canute, within London, in St. Paul's minster, gave full leave to archbishop Ethelnoth and Bishop Brithwine,f and to all the servants of God who were with them, that they might take up from the tomb the archbishop St. El- phege. And they then did so, on the sixth before the Ides of June. And the illustrious king, and the archbishop and suffragan bishops, and earls, and very many clergy, and alsc laity, carried, in a ship, his holy body over the Thames to Southwark, and there delivered the holy martyr to the arch- bishop and his companions; and they then, with a worshipful band and sprightly joy, bore him to Rochester. Then, on the third day, came Emma the lady, with her royal child Harda- Canute : and then they aU, with much state and bliss, and songs of praise, bore the holy archbishop into Canterbury; and then worshipfully brought him into Christ's Church, on the third before the Ides of June. Again, after that, on the eighth day, the seventeenth before the Kalends of July, arch- bishop Ethelnoth, and bishop Elfsy,J and bishop Brith- wine, and all those who were with them, deposited St. Elphege's holy body on the north side of Christ's altar, to the glory of God, and the honour of the holy archbishop, and the eternal health of all who there daily seek to his holy body with a devout heart and with all humility. God -Almighty have in^'rcy on all Christian men, through St Elphege's holy merits.

• Of lork. f 'jf Sherborne. :: Of WincheBter

no THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. 1023-1031

A. 1023. .ind ^e caused St. Elphege^s remains to be borne ftoni Londos to Canterbury.

A. 1023. And the siime year arclihishop Ethelnoth bore St. Elpheae% the archbishop's, remains to Canterbury, from London.

A. 1024.

A. 1025. This year king Canute went to Denmark, with his ships, to the holm by the holy river. And there came aigainst him Ulf and Eglaf, and a very great army, as well a land-army as a fleet from Sweden. And there very many men were destroyed on king Canute's side, as well of Danish-men as of English : and the Swedes had possession of the place of carnage.

A. 1026. This year bishop Elfric* went to Rome, and received his pall of Pope John, on the 2d before the Ides of November.

A. 1027

A. 1028. This year king Canute went from England, with fifty ships of English thanes, to Norway, and drove king Clave out of the land, and possessed himself of all that land.

A. 1029. This year king Canute came home again to Eng- land. And so soon as he came to England, he gave to Christ- Church at Canterbury the haven at Sandwich, and all the dues that arise thereof, on either side of the haven : so that, lo! when the flood is all at the highest, and all at the fullest, if a ship be floating so nigh the land as it nighest may, and there be a man standing in the ship, and he have a taper ax in his ... .

A. 1030. This year was king Clave slain in Norway by his own people ; and afterwards was sainted. And in this year, before that, died Hacon, the doughty earl, at sea.

A. 1030. This year came king Olave again into Norway, and the people gathered against him, and fought against him ; and he was there slain.

A. 1031. This year king Canute went to Rome. And so soon as he came home then went he into Scotland : and the king of the Scots, Malcohn [II.], submitted to him, and be- came his man, but that he held only a little while, and two other kings, Macbeth and Jelunar. And Robert, eail of Nor- mandy, went to Jerusalem, and there died ; and William, who was afterwards king in England, succeeded to Nor* Uiandy, though he was a child.

♦ 01 York.

A.D. 1032 103C. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 1 1 1

A. 1032. In this year appeared the wild fire, such 2kS do man before remembered ; and moreover on all sides it did harm, in many places. And in the same year died Elfsy,* bishop at Winchester ; and Alwyn, the king's priest, suc- ceeded thereto.

A. 1033. This year died bishop Leofsy, and his botly rests at Worcester: and Brilitegewas raised to his see.f In this year died Herewith bishop of Somerset 4 and he is buried at Glastonbury.

A. 1034. This year died bishop Etheric,§ and he lies at Ramsey. This same year died Malcolm [H.], king in Scotland.

A. 1035. This year died king Canute ; and Harold, his son, succeeded to the kingdom. He departed at Shaftesbury, on the 2d before the Ides of November ; and they bore him thence to Winchester, and there they buried him. And Elfgive, Emma, the lady, then sat there within : and Harold, who said that he was son of Canute and of the other Elfgive, though it was not true ; he sent thither, and caused to be taken from her all the best treasures, which she could not withhold, that king Canute had possessed ; and nevertheless she still 8at there within, as long as she could.

A. 1036. This year Alfred the innocent etheling, son of king Ethelred, came in hither, and would go to his mother, who sat at Winchester ; but that neither Godwin the earl, nor the other men who had much power, would allow him be- cause the cry was then greatly in favour of Harold, though that was unjust.

But Godwin him then let, and liim in bonds set ; [ed and his companions he dispers- and some divers ways slew ; some they for money sold, some cruelly slaughtered, some did they bind, some did they blind, some did they mutilate, some did they scalp : nor was a bloodier deed done in this land

since the Danes came, and here accepted peace. Now is our trust in the beloved God, that they are in bliss, blithely with Christ, who were without guilt so miserably slain. The etheling still lived, every ill they him vowed, until it was decreed that he should be led

• Godwin and Dugdale make Elfsy or Elsinus. to be translated to Can- terbury, 1U38. t Worcrster. $ Wells. § Of Dorchestti-

112 THE AKGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. loss-ioss.

to Ely -bury,

thus bound.

Soon as he came to land,

in the ship he was blinded ;

and him thus blind

they brought to the monks :

and he there abode

the while that he lived.

After that him they biiried,

as well was his due

full worthily,

as he worthy was,

at the west end,

the steeple well-nigh,

in the south aisle.

His soul is with Christ.

A. 1036. This year died king Canute at Shaftesbury, and he is buried at Winchester in the Old-minster : and he was king over all England very nigh twenty years. And soon after his decease there was a meeting of all the witan at Oxford ; and Leofric the earl, and almost all the thanes north of the Thames, and the ' lithsmen' at London, chose Harold for chief of all England, him and his brother Hiirdecanute who was in Denmark. And Godwin the earl and all the chief men of Wessex withstood it as long as they could ; but they were unable to effect any thing in opposition to it. And then it was decreed that Elfgive, Hardecanute's mother, should dwell at Winchester with the king's, her son's, household, and hold all Wessex in hia power ; and Godwin the earl was their man. Some men said of Harold that he was son of king Canute and of Elfgive daughter of Elfelm the ealdorman, but it seemed quite incredible to many men ; and he waa nevertheless full king over all England.

A. 1037. This year was Harold chosen king over all, and Hardecanute forsaken, because he stayed too long in Den- mark ; and then they drove out his mother Elfgive, tlie queen, without any kind of mercy, against the stormy winter : and she came then to Bruges beyond sea ; and Baldwin the earl* there weU received her, and there kept her the while she had need. And before, in this year, died Eafy the noble dean at Evesham.

A. 1037. This year was driven out Elfgive, king Canute's relict ; she waa king Hardecanute's mother ; and she then sought the protection of Bald- win south of the sea, and he gave her a dwelling in Bruges, and protected and kept her, the while that she there was.

A. 1038. This year died Ethelnoth the good archbishop,! and bishop Ethehic in Sussex, J who desired of God that he would not let him live, any while, after his beloved father Ethelnoth ; and accordingly, within seven days after, he departed, and bishop Elfric in East-Anglia, § and bishop Briteagusin Worc^j^tershire on the 13th before the Kalemis of January. And then bishop Eadsine succeeded to the arch-

* Of Flauden* t Of Canterbury. t Selsej. $ Elmhara.

A.D. 103S-1W1. THE ANGLO-S.VXON CHRONICLE. 113

bishopric, and Grinketd to the bishopric in Sussex, and bishop Living to Worcestervshire and to Gloucestershire.

A. 1038. This year died Etlielnoth, the good archbishop, on the Ka- lends of November, and a little alter, Ethelric bishop in Sussex, and then before Christmas, Briteagus bishop in Worcestershire, and soon after, Elfric bishop in East-Anglia.

A. 1039. This year was the great wind : and bishop Brithmar died at Lichfield, And the Welsh slew Edwin brother of Leofric the earl, and Thurkil, and Elfget, and very many good men with them. And this year also came Hai'decanute to Bruges, where his mother was.

A. 1039. This year king Harold died at Oxford, on the 16th before the Kalends of April, and he was bxiried at Westminster. And he ruled Eng* land four years and sixteen weeks ; and in his days sixteen ships were re- tained in pay, at the rate of eight marks for each rower, in like manner as had been before done in the days of king Canute. And in this same yei\x came king Hardecanute to SandAvich, seven days before midsummer. And he waa soon acknowledged as well by English as by Danes ; though his advisers afterwards grievously requited it, when they decreed that seventy-two ships should be retained in pay, at the rate of eight marks for each rower. And in this same year the sester of wheat went up to fifty-five pence, and even further.

A. 1040. This year died king Harold. Then sent they after Hardecanute to Bruges ; thinking that they did well. And he then came hither with sixty ships before midsummer, and then imposed a very heavy tribute, so that it could hardly be levied ; that was eight marks for each rower, and all were then averse to him who before had desired him ; and more- over he did nothing royal during his whole reign. He caused the dead Harold to be taken up, and had him cast into a fen. This year archbishop Eadsine went to Rome.

A. 1 040. This year was the tribute paid ; that was twenty-one thousand pounds and ninety-nine pounds. And after that they paid to thirty-two ships, eleven thousand and forty-eight pounds. And, in this same year, came Edward, son of king Ethelred, hither to land* from Weal-land ; he was brother of king Hardecanute : they were both sons of Elfgive ; Emma, who was daughter of earl Richard.

A. 104 1. This year Hardecanute caused all Worcestershire to be ravaged, on account of his two household servants, who demanded the heavy impost ; when the people slew them in th^ town within the minster. This year, soon after, came from beyond sea Edward, his brother on the motlier's side, king

114 THE ANGLO-SAXON CnPwONIOLE. a.d. io4i-io«.

Etheb-ed's eon, who before for many years had been driveiA from his country ; and yet was he sworn king : and he then abode thus in his brother's family while he lived. And in this year also Hardecanute betrayed Eadulf the earl.* while under his protection : and he became then a beher of his "wed." And this year bishop Egelricf was ordained at York, on the 3rd before the Ides of January.

A. 1041 . This year died king Hardecanute at Lambeth, on the 6th before the Ides of June : and he was king over all Enjiland two years wanting ten days ; and he is buried in the Old-minster at Winchester with king Canute his father. And his mother, for his soul, gave to the New-minster the head of St. Valentine the martyr. And before he was buried, all people chose Edward for king at London : may he hold it the while that God shall grant it to him ! And all that year was a very heavy time, in many things and divers, as well in respect to ill seasons as to the fruits of the earth. And so much cattle perished in the year as no man before remem- bered, as well through various diseases as through tempests. And in this same time died Elsinus abbat of Peterborough ; and then Amwius the monk was chosen abbat, because he was a very good man, and of great simplicity.

A. 1042. This year died king Hardecanute as he stood at his drink, and he suddenly fell to the earth with a terrible convulsion : and then they who were there nigh took hold of him ; and he after that spake not one word : and he died on the 6th before the Ides of June. And all people then ac- knowledged Edward for king, as was his true natural right.

A. 1043. This year was Edward consecrated king at Win- chester, on the first day of Easter, with much pomp ; and then was Easter on the third before the Nones of April, Archbishop Eadsine consecrated liim, and before all the people well instructed 1dm ; and for his own need, and all the peo- ple's, well admonished him. And Stigand the priest wa.«. blessed bishop of the East- Angles. J And soon after, the king caused all the lands which his mother possessed to be seized into his hands, and took from her all that she pos- sessed in gold, and in silver, and in tilings unspeakable, be- cause she had before held it too closely with him. And soon after, Stigand was deposed from his bishopric, and all that he possessed was seized into the king's hands, because he was nearest to his mother's counsel, and she went just as be ftdrised her, as people thought.

* Of Northumbna. f Of Durham. | Elmhoou

A.i>. 1C43 1045. THE ANGLO-SAXCil CHi^ONICLE. llo

\. 1043. This year was Edward consecrated king at Winchester (ti th<» firet day of Easter. And this ye?ir, fourteen days before Andrew's-masi*, the king was advised to ride from Gloucester, and Leofric the earl, and liodwin the earl, and Sigwarth [Siward] the earl, with their followers, to Winchester, unawares upon the lady [Emma] ; and they bereaved her of ill the treasures which she possessed, they were not to be told, because i>etore that she had been very hard with the king her son ; inasmuch uf »ii)e had done less for him than he would, before he was king, and also Bince : and they suffered her after that to remain therein.

This year king Edward took the daughter [Edgitha] of Godwin the earl for his wife. And in this same year died bishop Brithwn, and he held the bishopric thirty-eight years, that was the bishopric of Shrr- borne, and Herman the king's priest succeeded to the bishopric. And in this year Wulfric was hallowed abbat of St. Augustine's at Christmas, »>n Stephen's mass-day, by leave of the king, and, on account of his great intir- mity, of abbat Elfstan.

A. 1044. This year archbishop Eadsine* gave up tlie bishopric by reason of his infirmity, and he blessed thereto Siward abbat of Abingdon, as bishop, by the king's leave and counsel, and Godwin's the earl's : it was known to few men else before it was done, because the archbishop thought that some other man would obtain or buy it whom he could less trust in, and be pleased with, if more men should know of it. And in this year was a very great famine over all England, and corn was so dear as no man before remem- bered ; so that the sester of wheat went up to sixty pence, and even further. And in the same year the king went out to Sandwich with thirty-five ships : and Athelstan the churchwarden obtained the abbacy at Abingdon. And Sti- gand re-obtained his bishopric. And in the same year king Edward took Edgitha, daughter of Godwin the earl, to ivife, ten days before Candlemas.

A. 1 044. This year died Living bishop in Devonshire, and Leofric suc- ceeded thereto : he was the king's priest. And in this same year died Elfstan abbat of St. Augustine's, on the third before the Nones of July And in this same year was outlawed Osgod Clapa.

A. 1045. In this year died bishop Brithwinf on the 10th before the Kalends of May ; and king Edward gave the bishopric to Herman his priest. And in the same sum- mer king Edward went out with his ships to Sandwich ; and there so great a force was gathered, that no man had

• Of Canterbury.

t Of liusiiHUwryf afterwards removed to Salisbury.

i2

116 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. iws, iC46.

■>^en tt greater fleet in this land. And in this same ym died bisljop Living* on the loth before tlie Kalends of April ; and the king gave the bishopric to Leofric his priest. This year died Elfward bishop of London, on the 8th before the Kalends of August. He was first abbat of Evesham, and greatly advanced the minster whilst he was there. He went then to Ilamsey, and there gave up his life. And Manni was chosen abbat, f and ordained on the 4th before the Ides of August. And in this year was driven out Gunnilde, the noble woman, king Canute's niece ; and she, after that, stayed at Bruges a long while, and after- wards went to Denmark.

A. 1045. This year died Grimkytel bishop in Sussex, and Heca the king's priest succeeded thereto. And in this year died Alwyn, bishop of Winche&iter, on the 4th before the Kalends of September ; and Stigand, bishop ti> the north,t succeeded thereto. And in the same year Sweyn the earl went out to Baldwin's land§ to Bruges and abode there all the winter ; and then in svmuner he went out.

A. 1016. In this year Sweyn the earl went into Wales, and Grithn the Northern king|| went with him; and they delivered hostages to him. As he was on his way home- wards, then commanded he to be brought unto him the ab- bess of Leominster : and he had her as long as he listed ; and after that he let her go home. And in this same year Osgod Clapa was outlawed before mid-winter. And in tliis same year, after Candlemas, came the severe winter, with frost and with snow, and with all kinds of tempestuous wea- ther, so that there was no man then alive who could remem- ber so severe a winter as this was, as well through mortality of men as murrain of cattle ; even birds and fishes perished through the great cold and famine.

A. 1046. This year died Bnth^vin, bishop in Wiltshire, and Herman was appointed to his see. In that year king Edward gathered a large ship- force at Sandwich, on account of the threatening of Magnus in Norway : hut his and Sweyn's contention in Denmark hindered his com'tng here.

A. 1046. This year died Athelstan, abbat of Abingdon, and Spar- hawk, monk of St. Edmund's-bury, succeeded him. And in this 8;ime \ •lar died bishop Siward, and archbishop Eadsine again obtained the whole ^isnopriclf And in this same year Lothen and Irling came with twenty- fivt; ships to Sandwich, and there took unspeakable booty, in men^ and ia

• Of Creditor. t Of Evesham. X Of Ehnham.

i Fiandere. ^ E Of Nortli Wales. ^ Of Canterbury.

A.D.io4«,io47. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 117

gold, and in silver, so that no man knew how much it all waa. And they then went about Thanet, ani would there do the like ; but the land's folk strenuously withstood them, and denied them as well landing as water ; and thence utterly put them to flight. And they betook themselves then into Essex, and there they ravaged, and took men, and j)roperty, and what- soever they might find. And they betook themselves then east to Bald- wine's land, and there they sold what they had plundered ; and after that went their way east, whence they before had come.

A. 1046. In this year was the great s}Tiod at St. Remi's [Rheims]. Thereat was Leo the pope, and the archbishop of Burgundy [Lyons], and the archbishop of Besanfon, and the archbishop of Treves, and the arch- bishop of Rheims ; and many men besides, both clergy and laity. And king Edward sent thither bishop Dudoc,* and Wulfric abhat of St. Augus- tine's, and abbat Elfwin,+ that they might make known to the king what should be there resolved on for Christendom. And in this same year king Edward went out to Sandwich with a great fleet. And Sweyn the earl, Bon of Godwin the earl, came in to Bosham with seven ships ; and he obtained the king's protection, and he was promised that he should beheld worthy of every thing which he before possessed. Then Harold the earl, his brother, and Beom the earl contended that he should not be held wor- thy of any of the things which the king had granted to them : but a pro- tection of four days was appointed him to go to his ships. Then befell it during this, that word came to the king that hostile ships lay westward, and w^re ravaging. Then went Godwin the earl west about with two of the king's ships ; the one commanded Harold the earl, and the other Tos- ty his brother ; and forty- two of the people's ships. Then Harold the eari was removed from the king's ship which Harold the earl before had com- manded. Then went they west to Pevensey, and lay there weather-bound. Upon this, after two days, then came Sweyn the earl thither, and spoke with his father, and with Beom the earl, and begged of lieom that he would go with him to the king at Sandwich, and help him to the khig's friendship : and he granted it. Then went they as if they would go to the king. Then whilst they were riding, then begged Sweyn of him that he would go with him to his ships: saj-ing that his seamen would depart from liim unless he should at the soonest come thither. Then went they both where his ships lay. When they came thither, then begged Sweyn the earl of him that he would go with him on ship-boaid. He strenuously refused, so long as until his seamen seized him, and threw him into the boat, and bound him, and rowed to the ship, and put him there aboard. Then they hoisted up their sails and ran west to Exmouth, and had hin? with them until they slew him : and they took the body and buried it in n churdi. And then his friends and litsmen came from London, and took him up, and bore him to Winchester to the Old-minster: and he is there buried with king Canute his uncle. And Sweyn went then ea«t to Bald- win's land, and sat down there all the ^vinter at Bruges, with his full prf>- tection. And m the same year died Eadnoth [II.] bishop t of the north »nd Ulf was made bishop.

A. 1047. In this year died bishop Grinketel ; he was • Of Welia, t Of R^imscv. ; Of LJorcneeter.

118 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. io47. i043.

bishop* in Sussex, and he lies in Christ-Church, at Canter bury ; and king Edward gave the bishopric to Heca his priest. And in this same year died bishop Alwynj on the 4th before the Kalends of September ; and liing Edward gave the bishopric to bishop Stigand. And Athelstan abbat of Abingdon died in the same year, on the 4th before the Kalends of April : then was Easter-day on the 3rd before the Nones of April. And there was over all England a very great mortality in the same year.

A. 1047. This year died Living the eloquent bishop, on the 10th before the Kalends of April, and he had three bishoprics; one in Devonshire, and in Cornwall, and in Worcester. Then LeofricJ succeeded to Devon- shire and to Cornwall, and bishop Aldred to Worcester. And in this year Osgod, the master of the horse, was outlawed : and Magnus$ won Denmark.

A. 1047. In this year there was a great council in London at Mid-lent, and nine ships of lightermen were discharged, and five remained behind. In this same year came Sweyn the earl into England. And in this same year was the great synod at Rome, and king Edward sent thither bishop iieroman and bishop Aldred ; and they came thither on Easter eve. And afterwards the pope held a synod at Vercelli, and bishop Ulf came thereto ; and well nigh would they have broken his staff, if he had not given very great gifts ; because he knew not how to do his duty so well as he should. And in this year died archbishop Eadsine, on the 4th before the Kalends of November.

A. 1048. In this year was a great earthquake wide through- out England. In the same year Sandwich and the Isle of Wight were ravaged, and the chief men that were there slain. And after that king Edward and the earls went out with heir ships. And in the same year bishop Siward resigned the bishopric on account of his infirmity, oid went to Abing- ion, and archbishop Eadsine again received the bishopric :J ind he [Siward] died within eight weeks after, on the 10th before the Kalends of November.

A. 1048. This year was the severe winter • and this year died Alwyn, bishop of Winchester, and bishop Stigand was raised to his see. And be- tore that, in the same year, died Grinketel, bishop in Sussex, and Heca the priest succeeded to the bishopric. And Swevn also sent hither, beg- ging assistance against Magnus, king of Norway ; tnat fifty ships should be »ent to his aid. But it seemed unadvisable to all people : and it was then •iladered by reason that Magnus had a great ship force. And he then drove out Sweyn, and with much man-slaying won the land : and tha

♦ Of SelseT. + Of Winchester.

^ LeotiiC removed the »ee to Fxr-ter.

^ King of Norway. ( Of Cai\terhury.

I

1.D.1043. THE AXGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 119

Danes pa'd him much money and irknowledged him as king. And that ■ime year Magnus died.

A. 1048. In this year king Edward app/iinted Robert, of Londoa, archbiahop of Canterbury, during Lent. And in the same Lent he went to Rome after his pall : and the king gave the bishopric of London to Spar- hafoc abbat of Abingdon ; and the king gave the abbacy of Abingdon to bishop Rodulf, his kinsman. Then came the archbishop from Rome one day before St. Peter 's-mass-eve, and entered on his archiepiscopal see at Christ's Church on St. Peter's mtiss-day ; and soon after went to the kinj;. Then came abbat Sparhafoc to him with the king's writ and seal, in order that he should consecrate him bishop of London. Then the archbisiiorv refused, and said that the pope had forbidden it him. Then went the abl'at to the archbishop again for that purpose, and there desired episcopal ordi- nation ; and the archbishop constantly refused him, and said that the pope had forbidden it him. Then went the abbat to London, and occupied the bishopric which the king before had granted him, with his full leave, all the summer and the harvest. And then came Eustace* from beyond sea soon after the bishop, and went to the king, and spoke with him that which he then would, and went then homeward. When he came to Canterbury, east, then took he refreshment there, and his men, and went to Dover. When be was some mile or more on this side of Dover, then he put on his breast- plate, and so did all his companions, and went to Dover. When they came thither, then would they lodge themselves where they chose. Then came one of his men, and would abide in the house of a householder against his will, and wounded the householder ; and the householder slew the other. Then Eustace got upon his horse, and his companions upon theirs ; and the^ went to the householder, and slew him within his own dwelling ; and they went up towards the town, and slew, as well within as without, more than twenty men. And the townsmen slew nineteen men on the other side, and wounded they knew not how many. And Eustace escaped with a few men, and went again to the king, and made known to him, in part, how they had fared. And the king became very wroth with the townsmen. And the king sent off Godwin the earl, and bade him go into Kent in a hostile manner to Dover : for Eustace had made it appear to the king, that it had been more the fault of the townsmen than his : but it was not so. And the earl would not consent to the inroad, be- cause he was loath to injure his own people. Then the king sent after all his council, and bade them come to Gloucester, nigh the aftermass of St, Mary. Then had the Welshmen erected a castle in Herefordshire among the people of Sweyn the earl, and wrought every kind of harm and dis- grace to the kind's men there about which they could. Then came God- win the earl, and Sweyn the earl, and Harold the ean, together at Bever- stone, and many men with them, in order that they might go to their royal lord, and to all the peers who were assembled with him, in order that they miglit have the advice of the king and his aid, and of all this council, how they might avenge the king's disgrace, and the whole nation's. Then were the Welshmen with the king beforehand, and accused the earlsy Bo that they might not come within his eyes' sight ; because they said that they were coming thither in order to betray the king. Thither bad

* Eao Dt fioulogue.

120 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. low

Si ward the earl • and Leofricthe earl,+ and much people with them, from the north, to the king ; and it was made known to tlui earl Grjdwin and his sons, that the king and the men who were with him, were taking counsel concerning them : and they arrayed themselves on the other hand reso- lutely, thoTigh it were loathful to them that they should stand againt* their royal lord. Then the peers on either side decreed that every kind of evil ehould ceafe : and the king gave the peace of God and his full fciendship to either side. Then the king and his peers decreed that a council of all the nobles should be held for the second time in London at the harvest equinox ; and the king directed the army to be called out, as well south of the Thames as north, all that was in any way most eminent. Then de- clared they Sweyn the earl an outlaw, and summoned Godwin the earl and Harold the earl, to the council, as quickly as they could effect it. When they had come thither, then were they summoned into the coimcil. Theit required he safe conduct and hostages, so that he might come, unbetrayed, into the council and out of the council. Then the king demanded all the thanes whom the earls before had ; and they granted them all into his hands. Then the king sent again to them, and commanded them that they should come with twelve men to the king's council. Then the earl again required safe conduct and hostages, that he might defend himself against each of those things which were laid to him. Then were the hostages re- fused him ; and he was allowed a safe conduct for five nights to go out of the land. And then Godwin the earl and Sweyn the earl went to Bosham, and shoved out their ships, and betook themselves beyond sea, and sought Baldwin's protection, and abode there all the winter. And Harold the earl went west to Ireland, and was there all the winter within the king's protection. And soon after this happened, then put away the king the lady who had been consecrated his queen,:!: and caused to be taken from her all which she possessed, in land, and in gold, and in silver, and in all things, and delivered her to his sister at Wherwell. And abbat Sj)rir- hafoc was then driven out of the bishopric of London, and William the king's priest was ordained thereto. And then Odda was appointed earl over Devonshire, and over Somerset, and over Dorset, and over the Welsh. And Algar, the son of Leofric the earl, was appointed to the earldom which Harold before held.

A. 1049. In this year the emperor gathered a countless force against Baldwin § of Bruges : by reason that he had 'estroyed the palace at Nimeguen, and also, that he had lone many other injuries to him : the force was not to be told which he had gathered. There was Leo [IX.] the pope of Rome, and many great men of many nations. He sent also to king Edward, and begged the aid of his ships, in order that he should not suffer him to ©scape from him by water. And he went then to Sandwich, 5nd there continued lying with a great fleet, until the emperor obtained of Bald-

♦ Of Northvjiibna. t Of .Mercia.

t IMithA. i £arl of Flandeza.

AD. 1049. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 121

win all that he would. Tliither came back again Swejii the earl to king Edward, and requested land of hiin, from which he might maintain himself. But Harold his brother contended, and Beorn the earl, that they should not give up to him any thing which the king had given to them. He came hither with false pretences ; saying that he would be his man, and begged of Beorn the earl that he would aid him : but the king refused him every thing. Then went Sweyn to his ships at Bosham ; and Godwin the earl went from Sandwich vsdth forty-two ships to Pevensey, and Beorn the earl went forth with him ; and then the king gave leave to all the Mercians to go home : and they did so. Then wiia it made known to the king, that Osgod lay at Ulps with thirty-nine ships. Then the king sent after the ships which lay at the Nore, that he might send after him. But Osgod fetched his wife from Bruges, and went back again with six ships ; and the others landed in Essex, at Eadulf- ness, and there did harm, and went again to their ships. Then lay Godwin the earl and Beorn the earl at Pevensey with their ships. Then came Sweyn the earl with fraud, and begged of Beorn the earl that he would be his companion to the king at Sandwich ; saying that he would swear oaths to him, and be faithful to him. Then Beorn concluded that, on account of their kindred, he would not deceive him. Then took he three companions with him, and they then rode to Bosham, as if they would go to Sandwich, where Sweyn's Bhips lay. And they soon bound him, and led him on shi])- board ; and then went to Dartmouth, and there caused him to be slain and deeply buried. But him his kinsman Harold thence fetched and bore to Winchester, and there buried with king Canute his uncle. And then the king and all the army declared Sweyn an outlaw. Eight ships he had before he murdered Beorn ; after that, aU forsook him except two : and then he went to Bruges, and there abode with Baldwin. And in this year died Eadnoth, the good bishop, in Oxford- shire,* and Oswy abbat of Thorney, and Wulfnoth abbat of Westminster : and king Edward gave the bishopric to Ulf his priest, s.nd unworthily bestowed it. And in this same year king Edward discharged nine ships from pay ; and they went away, ships and all ; and five ohips remained be- • Dorchester.

122 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICL"S. a. d. 1049, 105.).

hind, and the king promised them twelve months' paj. And in the same year went bishop Heroman* and bishop Aldredf to Rome, to the pope, on the king's errand.

A. 1049. This year Sweyn came again to Denmark, and Harold, uncle of Magnus, went to Norway after Magnus was dead ; and the Normans acknowledged him : and he sent hither to land concerning peace. And Sweyn also sent from Denmark, and begged of king Edward the aid of his ships. They were to be at least fifty ships : but all people opposed it. And this year also there was an earthquake, on the Kalends of May, in many places in Worcester, and in Wick, and in Derby, and elsewhere ; and also there was a great nioi-tality among men, and murrain among cattle : and moreover, the wild-fire did much evil in Derbyshire and elsewhere.

A. 1050. In this year came the bishops home from Rome : and Sweyn the earl was inlawed. And in this same year died archbishop Eadsine, on the fourth before the Kalends of November ; and also, in this same year, Alfric archbishop of York, on the eleventh before the Kalends of February ; and liis body lies at Peterborough. Then king Edward held a council in London at Mid-lent, and appointed Robert archbishop of Canterbury, and abbat Sparhafoc to London ; and gave to bishop Rodulf, his kinsman, the abbacy at Abingdon. And the same year he discharged all the lightermen from pay.

A. 1050. Thither also came Sweyn the earl, who before had gone from this land to Denmark, and who there had ruined himself with the Danes. He came thither with false pretences ; saying that he would again he obedient to the king. And Beom the earl promised him that he would be of assistance to him. Then, after the reconciliation of the emperor and of Baldwin, many of the ships went home, and the king remained behind at Sandwich with a few ships ; and Godwm the earl also went with forty-two ships from Sandwich to Pevensey, and Beom the earl went with him. Then was it made known to the king that Osgod lay at Ulpswith thirty-nine ships ; and the king then sent after the ships which before had gone home, that h<» m'ght send after him. And Osgod fetched his wife from Bruges, and they went hack again with six ships. And the others landed in Sussex t at Eadulf-ness, and there did harm, and went again to their ships : and then a strong wind came against them, so that they were all destroye<i, except four, whose crews were slain beyond sea. While Godwin the ear and Beom the earl lay at Pevensey, then came Sweyn the earl, and begged Beom the earl, with fraud, who was his uncle's son, tliat he would be his companion to the king at Sandwich, and better his affairs with him. He went then, on account of the relationship, with three companions, with him ; and he led him then towards Bosham, where his ships lay : and then they bi)und him, and led him on ship-board. Then went he thence witk

♦ Of Ramshury, Heroman removed the see t<> Salisbury, t Of Worcester. J ijwey.

A.D. 1051, 1032. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 123

him to Dartmouth, and there ordered him to be slain, and deepiy bur{e<L Aftejwards he was found, and borne to \\'inchester, and buried with king Canufe bis nroV. A little before that, the men of Hastings and thereabrmt, fought two of his ships with their ships ; and slew all the men, and brought the sliips to Sandwich to the king. Eight ships he had before he betrayed Beom ; after that all forsook him except two. In tlie same year arrived in the Welsh Axa, from Ireland, thirty-six ships, and thereabout did harm^ with the help of Griffin the Welsh king. The people were gathered together against them ; bishop Aldred * was also there with them ; but iney had too little power. And they came unawares upon them at very early morn ; and there they slew many good men, and the others escaped with the bishop : this was done on the fourth before the Kalends of August. This year died, in Oxfordshire, Oswy abbat of 'i'horney, and Wulfnoth abbat of Westminster ; and Ulf the priest was appointed as pastor to the bishopric which Eadnoth had held ; but he was after that driven away j because he did nothing bishop-like therein : so that it shameth us now to tell more about it. And bishop Siward died: he lieth at Abingdon. And this year was consecrated the great minster at Rheims : there was pope Leo [IX.] and the emperor ;t and there they held a great synod concerning God's service. St. Leo the pope presided at the synod : it is difficult to have a knowledge of the bishops who came there, and how many abbats : and hence, from this land were sent two — from St. Augustine's and from llamsey.

A. 1051. In this year came archbishop Robert hither over sea with his pall. And in this same year were banished Godwin, the earl, and all his sons from England ; and he went to Bruges and his wife, and liis tliree sons, Sweyn, and Tosty, and Grith : and Harold and Leofwine went to Ireland, and there dwelt during the winter. And in this same year died the old lady, king Edward's mother, and Hardecanute's, who was called Emma, on the second before the Ides of March ; and her body lies in the Old-minster. J with king Canute.

A. 1051. In this year died Kadsine archbishop of Canterbury ; and the king gave to Robert the Frenchman, who before had been bishop of Lon- don, the archbishopric. And Sparhafoc abbat of Abingdon succeeded to the bishopric of London ; and it was afterwards taken from him before he was consecrated. And bishop Heroraan and bishop Aldred went to Rome.

A. 1052. This year came Harold, the earl, from Ireland, with Ids ships to the mouth of the Severn, nigh the bound- aries of Somerset and Devonshire, and there greatly ravaged ; and the people of the land drew together against him, aa well from Somerset as from Devonshire ; and he put them to flight, and there slew more than thirty good tlianes, besides • Of Worcester. f Hen. III. % Wincheste .

124 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHKONICLE. a. d. 1052.

other people : and soon after that he went about Penwith^ Btert. And then king Edward caused forty vessels to b« fitted out. They lay at Sandwich many weeks ; they were to lie in wait for Godwin, the earl, who had been at Bruges during the winter ; and, notwithstanding, he came hither to land first, so that they knew it not. And during the time that he was here in the land, he enticed to him all the men of Kent, and all the boatmen from Hastings and every- where there by the sea-coast, and all the East-end, and Sus« Bex, and Surrey, and much else in addition thereto. Then all declared that they with him would die and live. When the fleet which lay at Sandwich, learned this concerning God- win's voyage, then set they out after him. And he escaped them, and concealed himself wherever he then could ; and the fleet went again to Sandwich, and so homeward to Lon- don. Then when Godwin learned that the fleet which lay at Sandwich was gone home, then went he once more to the Isle of Wight, and lay thereabout by the sea-coast so long as until they came together, he and liis son earl Harold. And they did not much harm after they came together, except that they seized provisions : but they enticed to them all the Umd-folk by the sea-coast and also up the country ; and they went towards Sandwich, and collected ever forth with them all the boatmen which they met with, and then came to Sandwich, with an overflowing army. When king Edward learned that, then sent he up after more help ; but they came very late. And Godwin advanced ever towards London with his fleet until he came to Southwark, and there abode 6ome time until the flood-tide came up. During that time he also treated with the townsmen, that they should do almost all that he would. When he had mustered all his host, then came the flood-tide ; and they then soon drew their anchors, and held their way through the bridge by the south shore, and the land-force came from above, and arrayed themselves along the strand : and they then inclined with the ships towards the north shore, as if they would hem the king's ships about. The king also had a great land-force on his side, in addition to his shipmen ; but it was loathful to almost all of them that they should fight against men cf their own race ; for there was little else there which was ot much account except Englishmen, on either aifle ; and iDDrc-

A.D. lo.'i?. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 125

over they wero unmlling that this land should be still mora exposed to OMilandish men, by reason that they theraselvei destroyed each other. Then decreed they that wise men sliould be sent between them ; and they settled a truce on either side. And Godwin landed, and Harold his son, and from their fleet as many as to them seemed fitting. Then there was a j>eneral council : and they gave his earldom clean to Godwin, as full and as free as he before possessed it, and to his sons also all that they before possessed, and to his wife and his daughter as full and as free as they before pos- sessed it. And tliey then established between them full friendship, and to all the people they promised good law. And then they outlawed all the Frenchmen who before had instituted unjust law, and judged unjust judgments, and counselled ill counsel in this land ; except so many as they agreed upon, whom the king liked to have with him, who were true to him and to all liis people. And bishop Robert,* and bishop William, f and bishop Ulf,J with difficulty escaped, with the Frenchmen who were with them, and thus got over sea. And Godwin, the earl, and Harold, and the queen, § sat down in their possessions. Sweyn had gone before this to Jerusalem from Bruges ; and he died on his way home at Constantinople on Michael's-mass. It was on the INIonday after St. Mary's-mass that Godwin with his ships came to Southwark ; and the morning after, on the Tuesday, they were reconciled, as it here before stands. Godwin then grew sick soon after he landed ; and he after- wards departi.^.d : but he did all too little penance for the property of God which he held belonging to many holy places. And the same year came the strong wind, on Tho- mas's-mass-night, and did much harm in many parts. More- over Rees, the Welsh king's |j brother, was slain.

A. 1052. This year died Alfric, archbishop of York, a very pious man, and wise. And in the same year king Edward abolished the tribute, which king Ethelred had before imposed : that was in the nine-and- thirtieth year after he had begun it. That tax distressed all the English nation during so long a time, as it here above is written ; that was ever be- fore other taxes which were variously paid, and wherewith the people were manifestly distressed. In the same year Eustace ^ landed at Dover : he

♦ Of CanStrbury. f Of London. t Oi Dorchester.

f Editha, U Of South Wales. ^ Earl of Boulogne.

126 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. 1052.

had king Edward's aster to wife. Then went his men mconfiideiately ifter quarters, and a certain man of the town they slew ; and another man of the town their companion ; so that there lay seren of his companions. And much harm was there done on either side, by horse and also by weapons, until the people gathered together : and then they fled away until they came to the king at Gloucester ; and he gave them protection. When Godwin, the earl, understood that such things should have hap- pened in his earldom, then began he to gather together people over all his earldom,* and Sweyn, tlie earl, his son, over his, and Harold, his other son, over his earldom ; and they all drew together in Gloucestershire, at Lang- tree, a great force and countless, all ready for battle ag;iinst the king, un- less Eustace were given up, and his men placed in their hands, and also the Frenchmen who were in the castle. This was done seven days before the latter mass of St. Mary. Then was king Edward sitting at Gloucester. Then sent he after Leofric, the earl,t and north after Siward the earl,J and be^,'ged their forces. And then they came to him ; first with a moderate aid, but after they knew how it was there, in the south, then sent they north over all their earldoms, and caused to be ordered out a large force for the help of their lord ; and Ralph, also, over his earldom : and then came they all to Gloucester to help the king, though it might be late. Then were they all BO united in opinion with the king that they would have sought out Godwin's forces if the kijig had so willed. Then thought some of them that it would be a great folly that they should join battle ; because there was nearly all that was most noble in England in the two armies, and they thought that they should expose the land to our foes, and cause great de- struction among ourselves. Then counselled they that hostages should be given mutually ; and they appointed a term at London, and thither the people were ordered out over all this north end, in Siward's earldom, and in Leofric's, and also elsewhere ; and Godwin, the earl, and his sons were to come there with their defence. Then came they to Southwark, and a great multitude with them, from Wessex ; but his band continually dimin- ished the longer he stayed. And they exacted pledges for the king from all the thanes who were under Harold, the earl, his son ; and then they outlawed Sweyn, the earl, his other son. Then did it not suit him to come with a defence to meet the king, and to meet the army which was with him. Then went he by night away ; and the king on the morrow held a council, and, together with all the army, declared him an outlaw, him and all his sons. And he went south to Thorney, and his wife, and Sweyn his son, and Tosty and his wife, Baldwin's relation of Bruises, and Gnth his son. And Harold, the earl, and Leofwine, went to Bristol in the ship which Sweyn, the earl, had before got ready for himself, and pro\isioned. And the king sent bishop Aldred § to London with a force ; and they were to overtake him ere he came on ship-board : but they could not or they would not. And he went out from Avonmouth, and met with such heavy weather that he with difficulty got away ; and there he sustained much damage. Then went he forth to Ireland when fit weather came. And Godwin,

• Godwin's earldom consisted of Wessex, Sussex, and Kent : Sweyn'f of Oxford, Gloucester, Hereford, Somerset, and Berkshire : and Harold'i of Essex, East-Anglia, Huntingdon, and Cambridgeshire.

t Of Mercia. J Of Northumbria. § Of \Vorc—ua

A.D.1052. THE ANGLO-SAXON CnnONICLE. 127

and those who were with him, went from Thomey to Bruges, to Baldwin*! land, in one ship, with as much treasure as they nii<^lit therein best stow i\>r each man. It would have seemed wondrous to every man who wua in Kngland if any one before that had said that it sliould end thus ; for he had been erewhile to that degree exalted, as if he ruled the king and all Eng- land ; and his sons were earls and the king's darlings, and his dau^-^htei wedded and united to the king : she was brought to Wherwell, and they delivered her to the abbess. Then, soon, came William, the earl,* Irom beyond sea, with a great band of Frenchmen ; and the king ri.-ceivfd him, and as many of his companions as it pleased him ; and let hmi away at;ain. This same year was given to William, the priest, the bishopric of London, which before had been given to Sparhafoc.

A. 1052. This year died Elfgive, the laily, relict of king Ethelred and of king Canute, on the second before the Is ones of March. In the »mne year Griffin, the Welsh king, plundered in Herefordshire, imtil he came very nigh to Leominster ; and they gathered against liim, as well the landsmen as the Frenchmen of the castle, and there were slain of the English very many good men, and also of the Frenchmen ; that was on the same day, on which, thirteen years before, Eadwine had been slain by his companions.

A. 1052. In this year died Elfgive Emma, king Edward's mother and king Hardecanute's. And in this same year, the king decreed, and his council, that ships should proceed to Sandwich ; and they set Ralph, the earl, and Odda, the earl,+ as head-men thereto. Then Godwin, the earl, went out from Bruges with his ships to Ysendyck, and left it one day before Midsummer's-mass eve, so that he came to Is' ess, which is south of Rom- ney. Then came it to the knowledge of the earls out at Sandwich ; and they then went out after the other ships, and a land-force was ordered out against the ships. Then during this, Godwin, the earl, was warned, and then he went to Pevensey ; and the weather was very severe, so that the earls could not learn what was become of Godwin, the carl. And then Godwin, the earl, went out again, until he came once more to Bruges; and the other ships returned again to Sandwich. And then it was decreed that the ships should return once more to London, and that other earls and commanders should be appointed to the ships. Then was it <ielayed so long that the ship-force all departed, and all of them wen* home. When Godwin, the earl, learned that, then drew he up his sail, and his fleet, and then "rent west direct to the Isle of Wight, and there landed and ravaged so .ong there, until the people yielded them so much as they laid on them. Ar.d then they went westward imtil they came to Portlani, and there they landed, and did whatsoever harm they were able to do. Then was Harold come out from Ireland with nine ships ; and then landed at Porlock, and there much people was gathered against him ; but he failed not to procure himself provisions. He proceeded further, and slew there a great number of the people, and took of cattle, and of men, and of propeity as it suited him. He then went eastward to his father : and then they both went east- ward imtil they came to the Isle of Wight, and there took that which was yet remaining for them. And then they wont thence to Pevensey, and got Hway thence as many sh'w^ as were there fit for service, and so on vai48

t Of Devon.

128 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a. d. 1052.

until fie came to Ness, and got all the ships which were in Romney, and i» Hythe, and in Folkstone. And theji they went east lo Dover, and theal huided, and there took sliips and hostages, as many as they would, and i9 went to SandM'ich and did " hand " the same ; and everywnere hostage^ were given them, and provisions wherever they desired. And then thi^ went to North-mouth, and so toward London ; and some of the ships went within Sheppey, and there did mucli harm, and went their way to King'a Milton, and that they all burned, and betook themselves then toward London after the earls. When the} came to London, there lay the king and all the earls there against them, with fifty ships. Then the earls sent to the king, and re(juired of him, that they might be held worthy of each of those things which had been unjustly taken from them. Then the king, however, resisted some while ; so long as until the people who were with the earl were much stirred against the king and against his people, so that the earl himself with difficulty stilled the people. Then bishop Stigand interposed with God's help, and the wise men as well within the town aa without ; and they decreed that hostages should be set forth on either side : and thus was it done. When archbishop Robert and the Frenchmen learned that, they took their horses and went, some west to Pentecost's castle, some north to Robert's castle. And archl)ishop Robert and bishop Ulf went out at East-gate, and their companions, and slew and otherwise injured many young men, and went their way direct to Eadulf's-ness ; and he there put himself in a crazy ship, and went direct over sea, and left his ■ all and all Christendom here on land, so as God would have it, inasmuch as he had before obtained the dignity so as God would not have it. Then there was a great council proclaimed without London : and all the earls and the chief men who were in this land were at the council. There Godwin bore forth his defence, and justified himself, before king Edward his lord, and before all people of the land, that he was guiltless of that which was laid against him, and against Harold his son, and all his children. And the king gave to the earl and his children his full friendship, and full earl- dom, and all that he before possessed, and to all the men who were with him. And the king gave to the lady* all that she before possessed. And they declared archbishop Robert utterly an outlaw, and all the French- men, because they had made most of the difference between Godwin, the earl, and the king. And bishop Stigand obtained the archbishopric of Canterbury. In this same time Amwy, abbat of Peterborough, left the abbacy, in sound health, and gave it to Leofric the monk, by leave of tha king and of tlie monks ; and abbat Amwy lived afterwards eight years. And abbat Leofric then (enriched) the minster, so that it was called the Golden-borough. Then it waxed greatly, in land, and in gold, and in silver. A. 1052. And went so to the Isle of Wight, and there took all the ships which could be of any service, and hostages, and betook himself so eastward. And Harold had landed with nine ships at Porlock, and slew there much people, and took cattle, and men, and property, and went his way eastward to his father, and they both went to Romney, to Hythe, to Folkstone, to Dover, to Sandmch, and ever they took all the ships which they found, which could be of any service, and hostage*, aU aa iiey proceeded ; and wai then to London.

• EdjthA.

A.D. 1058, 1064 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONTCLE. 1-29

A. 1053. In this year was the king at Winchester at Ea.«^ter, and Godwin, the earl, with him, and Harold, the earl, his son, and Tosty. Then, on the second day c>f Easter, sat he with the king at the feast : then suddenly sank he down by the footstool, deprived of speech, and of all his power, and he was then carried into the king's chamber, and they thought it would pass over : but it did not so ; but he continued on, thus speechless and powerless, until the Thurs- day, and then resigned his life : and he lies there within the Old -minster. And his son Harold succeeded to his earldom, and resigned that which he before held ; and Elgar suc- ceeded tliereto. This same year died Wulfsy, bishop of Lichfield, and Leofwine, abbat of Coventiy succeeded to the bishopric ; and Egelward, abbat of Glastonbury, died, and Godwin, abbat of Winchcomb. Moreover, the Welshmen slew a great number of the English people, of the wardmen, near Westbury. In this year there was no archbishop in this land ; but bishop Stigand held the bishopric of Canter- bury at Christchurch, and Kynsey of York ; and Leofwine and Wulfwy went over sea, and caused themselves to be there ordained bishops ; Wulfwy obtained the bishopric which Ulf had,* he being yet living and driven from it.

A. 1053. This year was the great wind on Thomas 's-mass-night, ana also the whole midwinter there was much wind ; and it was decreed that ReeSjthe Welsh king's brother, should be slain, because he had done harm and his head was brought to Gloucester on Twelfth-day eve. And the same year, before All Hallows-mass, died Wulfsy, bishop of Lichfield, and Godwin, abbat of Winchcomb, and Egelward, abbat of Glastonbury, all within one month, and Leofwine succeeded to the bishopric of Lich- field, and bishop Aldredf took the abbacy at Winchcomb, and Egel- noth succeeded to the abbacy at Glastonbury. And the same year died Elfric, Odda's brother at Deorhurst ; and his body resteth at Pershore And the same year died Godwin the earl ; and he fell ill as be sat with the king at Winchester. And Harold his son succeeded to the earldom which his father before held ; and Elgar, the earl, succeeded to the earl- dom which Harold before held.

A. 1053. In this year died Godwin, the earl, on the 17th before the Kalends of May, and he is buried at Winchester, in the Oid-rainster ; and Harold, the earl, his son, succeeded to the earldom, and to all that which his father had held : and Elgar, the earl, succeeded to the earldom which Harold before held.

A. 1054. This year went Siward the earl± with a great army into Scotland, and made much slaughter of the Scots ♦ Dorchester. f Of Worcester. X Of Northumbria.

K

130 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. ior>*, 1055.

and put them to flight : and the king escaped. Moreover, many fell on his side, as well Danish-men as English, and also his own son.* The same year was consecrated the minster at Evesham, on the 6th before the Ides of October. In the same year bishop Aldredf went south over sea into Saxony, and was there received with much reverence. That same year died Osgod Clapa suddenly, even as he lay on his bed. In this year died Leo [IX.] the holy pope of Rome. And in this year there was so great a murrain among cattle, as no man remembered for many years before. And Victor [II.] was chosen pope.

1054. This year went Siward the earl with a great army into Scotland, both with a ship-force and with a land-force, and fought against the Scots, and put to Bight king Macbeth, and slew all who were the chief men in the land, and led thence much booty, such as no man before had obtained. But his son Osborn, and his sister's son Siward, and some of his house-carls, and also of fhe king's, were there slain, on the day of the Seven Sleepers. The same year went bishop Aldred to Cologne, over sea, on the king's errand ; and he was there received with much worship by the emperor,J and there he dwelt well nigh a year ; and either gave him entertainment, both the bishop of Cologne and the emperor. And he gave leave to bishop Leofwine§ to consecrate the minster at Evesham on the 6th before the Idea of October. In this year died Osgod suddenly in his bed. And this year died St. Leo the pope ; and Victor was chosen pope in his stead.

A. 1055. In this year died Siward the earl at York, and his body lies within the minster at Galmanho, || which himself had before built, to the glory of God and of all his saints. Then, within a little time after, was a general council in London, and Elgar the earl, Leofric the earl's son, was outlawed without any kind of guilt ; and he went then to Ireland, and there procured himself a fleet, which was of eighteen ships, besides his own : and they went then to Wales, to king Griffin,^ with that force ; and he received him into his pro- tection. And then, with the Irishmen and with Welshmen, they gathered a great force : and Ralph the earl gathered a great force on the other hand at Hereford-port. And they sought them out there : but before there was any spear thrown, the English people fled because they were on horses |

* Osbom. + Of "Worcester.

i Henry III. fj Of Lichfield.

I A Saxon abf ey, merged afterwardi in St Maiy^ at York.

i Of North Walw.

i.D.iw.5. TTTE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 131

and there great slaughter was made, about four hundr<^ci men oi five ; and they made none on the other side. And they then betook themaelves to the town, and that they burned ; and the great minster which Athelstan the vene rable bishop before caused to be built, that they plundered *.nd bereaved of relics and of vestments, and of all things s and slew the people, and some they led away. Then a force was gathered from well nigh throughout all England, and they came to Gloucester, and so went out, not far, among the Welsh ; and there they lay some while : and Harold the earl caused the ditch to be dug about the port* the while. Then, during this, then spoke they concerning peace ; and Harold the earl, and those who were with him, came to Bilsley : and there peace and friendship was established between them. And then they inlawed Elgar the earl, and gave him all that before had been taken from him ; ar^d the fleet went to Chester, and there awaited their pay, which Elgar had promised them. The man-slaying was on the rsinth before the Kalends of November. In the same year died Tremerin the Welsh bishop, f soon after that ravaging ; he was bishop Athelstan's coadjutor from the time that be had become infirm.

A. 1055. In this year died Siward the earl at York, and he lies at Galmanho, in the minster which himself caused to be built, and consecrated in God's and Olave's name. And Tosty succeeded to the earldom which he had held. And archbishop KynseyJ fetched his pall from pope Victor. And soon thereafter was outlawed Elgar the earl, son of Leofric the earl, well-nigh without guilt. But he went to Ireland and to Wales, and pro- cured himself there a great force, and so went to Hereford : but there came against him Ralph the earl, with a large army. And with a slight conflict he put them to flight, and much people slew in tne flight : and they went then into Hereford-port, and that they ravaged, and burned the great minster which bishop Athelstan had built, and slew the priests within the minster, and many in addition thereto, and took all the treasures therein, and carried them away with them. And when they had done the utmost evil, this counsel was counselled : that Elgar the earl should be inlawed, and be given his earldom, and all that had been taken from him. This ravaging happened on the 9th before the Kalends of November. In the same year died Tremerin the Welsh bishop,$ soon after that ravaging : and he waa bifhop Athelstan's coadjutor from the time that he had become infirm.

A. 1055. In this year died Siward the earl : and then was siraimoived a general coimcil, seven days before Mid-lent ; and they outlawed Elgsv *he eurl, because it was cast upon him that he was a traitor to the king aivi to

• Hereford. f Of St. David's. J Of York. $ Of St David'*

k2

132 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d 1056.1057.

flll the people of the land. And he made a rorfession of it before all th« men wlio were there gathered ; though the word escaped hiin uninten- tionally. And the king gave the earldom to Testy, son of eai-1 Godwin, w-hich Siward the earl before held. And Elgar the earl sought Griffin's protection in North-Wales. And in this year Griffin and Elgar burned St. Kltheibert's minster, and all the town of Hereford.

A. 1056. This year bishop Egelric gave up his bishopric <it Durham, and went to St. Peter's minster, Peterborough ; and his brother Egelwine succeeded thereto. This year died Athelstan the venerable bishop, on the 4th before the Ides of February, and liis body lies at Hereford-port ; and Leof- gar was appointed bishop ; he was the mas--priest of Harold the earl. He wore his knapsack during his priesthood until he was a bishop. He forsook his chrism and his rood, his ghostly weapons, and took to his spear and his sword, after his bishophood ; and so went to the field against Griffin the Welsh king : and there was he slain, and his priests with him, and Elnoth the sheriff and many good men with them ; and the others fled away. This was eight days before midsummer. It is difficult to tell the distress, and ail the marching, and the camping, and the travail and de- struction of men, and also of horses, which all the English army endured, until Leofric the earl* came thither, and Harold the earl, and bishop Aldi-ed,f and made a reconcilia- tion there between them ; so that Griffin swore oaths that he v/ould be to king Edward a faithful and unbetraying under- ki ng. And bishop Aldred succeeded to the bishopric v/hich Leofgar had before held eleven weeks and four days. In the same year died Cona| the emperor. This year died Odda the earl,§ and his body lies at Pershore, and he was ordained a monk before his end ; a good man he was and pure, and right noble. And he died on the 2nd before the Kalends of September.

A. 1057. Here came Edward etheling to Angle-land ; \e was king Edward's bother's son, Edmund king, who Ironside was called

for his valour.

This etheling Canute king

had sent away

to Unger-land||

to be betrayed :

but he there grew up

to a good man.

• Of Mercia. f Of Worcester. t Hon. IIL

( Of Devon. y Hungary,

A.D. 1057, 1058. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 133

his kinsman Edward

kinoj beliold.

Alas ! that was a rueful caso

and harmful

for all this nation

that he so soon

his life did end [came

after that he to Angle-lard

for the mishap

of this wretched nation.

a8 Gf.J him granted.

and him well became ;

so that he obtained [wife,

tlie emperor's kinswoman to

and by her, fair

offspring he begot :

she was Agatha hight.

Nor wist we

for which cause

that done was,

that he might not

In the same year died Leofric the earl,* on the second befor© the kalends of October ; he was very wise for God and also for the world, which was a blessing to all this nation. He lies at Coventry ; and his son Elgar succeeded to his govern- ment. And within the year died Ralph, the earlf on th« 12th before the kalends of January; and he lies at Peter- borough. Moreover, bishop Heca died in Sussex, and Agel- ric was raised to his secj And this year pope Victor died, and Stephen [IX. J was chosen pope.

A. 1057. In this year Edward etheling, king Edmund'8 son, camenither to land, and soon after died : and his body is buried within St. Paul's min- ster at London. And pope Victor died, and Stephen [IX.] was chostn pope : he was abbat of Mont-Cassino. And Leofric the earl died, and Elgar his son succeeded to the earldom which the father before held.

A. 1058. This year Elgar, the earl,§ was banished ; but he soon came in again, with violence, through Griffin's || aid. And this year came a fleet from Norway : it is tedious to tell how all these matters went. In the same year bishop Aldredlf consecrated the minster at Gloucester, wliich himself liad raised to the glory of God and of St. Peter ; and so he went to Jerusalem with such splendour as none other h?.d displayed before him, and there devoted himself to God: ami a worthy gift he also offered at our Lord's tomb ; that was u golden chalice of five marks of very wonderful work. In the same year died Pope Stephen [IX.], and Benedics [^X.]| was appointed pope : he sent a pall to bishop Stiganil

* OfMercia. f Of Hereford.

t Selaey. ^ Of Mercia.

H King of North Wales. 11 Of Worcester,

134 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, a.d. io5»-ioQa

Algenc was ordained l»shop of Silsstx * and abbat Siward of Rochester.

A. 1058. This year died Pope Stephen, and Benedict was consec^ted pope : the same sent hither to land a pall to archbishop Stigand. And in this year died Heca, bishop of Sussex ; and archbishop Stigand ordained Algeric, a monk at Christchurch, bishop of Sussex, and abbat Siward bishop of Rochester.

A. 1059. In this year was Nicholas fll.] chosen pope, he had before been bishop of the town of Florence ; and Benedict was driven awaj, who had there before been pope. And in this year was the steeple consecrated at Peter- borough, on the 16th before the Kalends of November.

A. 1060. In this year there was a great earthquake on the Translation of St. Martin : and king Henry died in France. And Kynsey, archbishop of York, departed on the 11th before the Kalends of January, and he lies at Peter- borough ; and bishop Aldred succeeded to the bishopric, and Walter succeeded to the bishopric of Herefordshire : and bishop Dudoc also died ; he was bishop in Somerset ;j" and Giso the priest was appointed in his stead.

A. 1061. This year bishop Aldred went to Rome after his pall, and he received it from Pope Nicholas. And Tosty and his wife also went to Rome ; and the bishop and the earl suffered much distress as they came homeward. And this year died Godwin, bishop of St. Martin's 4 ^"^ Wulfric abbat of St. Augustine's, on the 14th before the Kalendj^ of April [May?]. And Pope Nicholas died, and Alexander [IL] was chosen pope : he had been bishop of Lucca.

A. 1061. In this year died Dudoc, bishop of Somerset, and Giso succeedeo . And in the same year died Godwin, l)ishop of St. Martin's, on the 7th before the Ides of March. And in the self-same year died Wulfric, abbat of St. Augustine's, within the Easter week, on the 14th before the Kalends of May. When word came to the king that abbat Wulfric was departed, then chose he Ethelsy the monk thereto, from the Old-Min- ster, who then followed archbishop Stigand, and was consecrated abbat at Windsor, on St. Augustine's mass-day.

A. 1062.

A. 1063. In this year, after raidwintp.r, Harold, the earl^

went from Gloucester to Rhyddlan, which was Griffin's, and

burned the vill, and his ships, and all the stores which

thereto belonged, and put liim to flight. And then, at Roga*

* Selsey f Weiu. t At Canterbuty

A.D. 1063-1065. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 135

tion-tide, Harold went with his ships from Bristol about Wales ; and the people made a truce and delivered hostages ; and Tostj went with a land-force against them : and they subdued the land. But in this same year, during harvest, was king Griffin slain, on the Nones of August, by his own men, by reason of the war that he warred with Harold the earl. He was king over all tlie Welsli race : and his head was brought to Harold the earl, and Harold brought it to the king, and his ship's head, and the rigging therewith. And king Edward committed the land to his two brothers, Bleth- gent and Rigwatle ; and they swore oaths, and delivered hostages to the king and to the earl, that they would be faithful to him in all things, and be everywhere ready for him, by water and by land, and make such renders from the land as had been done before to any other king.

A. 1063. This year went Harold the earl, and his brother Tosty the earl, as well with a land-force as a ship-force, into Wales, and they sub- dued the land ; and the people delivered hostages to them, and submitted ; and went afterwards and slew their king Griffin, and brought to Harold his head: and he appointed another king thereto.

A. 1064.

A. 1065. Li this year, before Lammas, Harold the earl ordered a building to be erected in Wales at Portskeweth, after he had subdued it ; and there he gathered much good ; and thought to have king Edward there for the purpose of hunting. But when it was all ready, then went Caradoc, Griffin's son, with the whole force wliich he could procure, and slew almost all the people who there had been building ; and they took the good which there was prepared. We wist not who first devised this ill counsel. This was done on St. Bartholomew's mass-day. And soon after this, all the thanes in Yorkshire and in Northumberland gathered themselves together, and outlawed their earl, Tosty, and slew his house- hold men, aU that they might come at, as well English as Danish : and they took all his weapons at York, and gold, and silver, and all his treasures which they might any where there hear of, and sent after Morkar, the son of Elgar the earl, and chose him to be their earl : and he went south with all the shire, and with Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire, until he came to Northampton : and his brother Edwin came ty neet him with the men who wer«

136

THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. iocs.

in his earldom, and also many Britons camo with him. There came Harold, the earl, to meet them ; and they laid an errand upon him to king Edward, and also sent messen- gers with him, and begged that they might have Morkar for their earl. And the king granted it, and sent Harold again to them at Northampton, on the eve of St. Simon's and St. Jude's mass ; and he made known the same to them, and deliverdd a pledge thereof unto them : and he there renewed Canute's law. But the northern men did much harm about Northampton whilst he went on their errand, irjfl" much as they slew men and burned houses and corn ; and took all the cattle which they might come at, that was many thousand : and many hundrod men they took and led north ^vith them ; so that that shire, and the other shires which there are nigh, were for many years the worse. And Tosty the earl, and his wife, and all those who would what he would, went south over sea with him to Baldwin, the earl, and he received them all ; and they were all the winter there. And king Edward came to Westminster at midwin- ter, and there caused to be consecrated the minster which him- self had built to the glory of God and of St. Peter, and of all God's saints ; and the church-hallowing was on Childer- mass-day. And he died on Twelfth-day eve, and him they buried on Twelfth-day eve, in the same minster, as it here- after sayeth.

Here Edward king,

of Angles lord,

gent his stedfast

soul to Christ,

in God's protection,

spirit holy.

He in the world here

dwelt awhile

in royal majesty

mighty in council.

Four-and-twenty,

lordly ruler !

of winters numbered,

he wealth dispensed ;

and he a prosperous tide;

ruler of heroes,

I distinguished governed,

j Welsh and Scots, and Britons also, son of Ethelred, Angles and Saxons, chieftains bold. Where'er embrace cold ocean-waves, there all to Edward, noble king ! obeyed faithfully, the warrior-men. Aye was blithe-mind the harmless king, though he long erst

> of land bereaved.

A.i>. 1005,1066. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 137

in exile dwelt

mde o'er the earth,

since Canute o'ercame

■.he race of Ethelred,

and Danes wielded

the dear realm

of Angle-land,

eiglit-and-twenty

of winters numbered,

wealth dispensed.

After forth-came,

in vestments lordly,

king with the chosen good,

chaste and mild,

Edward the noble :

the realm he guarded,

land and people,

until suddenly came

death the bitter, and so dear a one seized This noble, from earth angels carried, stedfast soul, into heaven's light. And the sage ne'erthelcss, the realm committed to a highly-born man, Harold's self, the noble earl ! He in all time obeyed faithfully his rightful lord by words and deeds, nor aught neglected which needful was ■ to his sovereign -king.

And this year also was Harold consecrated king ; and he with little quiet abode therein, the while that he wielded the realm.

A. 1065. And the man-slaying was on St. Bartholomew's mass-day. And then, after Michael's-mass, all the thanes in Yorkshire went to York, and there slew all earl Tosty's household servants whom they might hear of, and took his treasures : and Tosty was then at Britford with the king. And then, very soon thereafter, was a great council at Northamp- ton ; and then at Oxford on the day of Simon and Jude. And there was Harold the earl, and would work their reconciliation if he might, but he could not : but all his earldom him unanimously forsook and outlawed, and all who with him lawlessness upheld, because he robbed God first, and all those bereaved over whom he had power of life and of land. And they then took to themselves Morkar for earl ; and Tosty went then over sea, and his \«nfe with him, to Baldwin's land, and they took up their winter residence at St. Omer's.

A. 1066. In this year king Harold came from York to Westminster, at that Easter which was after the mid-winte in which the king died ; and Easter was then on tlie day 16th before the Kalends of May. Then was, over all Eng land, such a token seen in the heavens, as no man ever before saw. Some men said that it was cometa the star, which some men call the haired star ; and it appeared first on the eve Litania Major, the 8th before the Kalends cf Ma^

138 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. ioc6.

and 80 shone all the seven nights. And soon after came In 'J'osty the earl from beyond sea into the Isle of Wight, with 80 great a fleet as he might procure ; and there they yielded him as well money as food. And king Harold, his brother, gathered so great a ship-force, and also a land-force, as no king here in the land had before done ; because it was made known to hira that William the bastard would come hither and win this land ; all as it afterwards happened. And the wliile, came Tosty the earl into Humber with sixty ships ; and Edwin the earl came with a land-force and di-ove him out. And the boatmen forsook him ; and he went to Scotland with twelve vessels. And there met him Harold king of Norway with three hundred ships ; and Tosty submitted to him and became his man. And they then went both into Humber, until they came to York ; and there fought against them Edwin the earl, and Morkar the earl, his brother : but the Northmen had the victory. Then was it made known to Harold king of the Angles that this had thus happened : and this battle was on the vigil of St. Matthew. Then came Harold our king unawares on the Northmen, and met with them beyond York, at Stanford-bridge, with a great army of Enghsh people ; and there during the day was a very severe fight on both sides. There was slain Harold the Fair- haired, and Tosty the earl ; and the Northmen who were there remaining were put to flight ; and the English from behind hotly smote them, until they came, some, to their ships, some were drowned, and some also burned ; and thus in divers ways they perished, so that there were few left : and the English had possession of the place of carnage. The king then gave his protection to Olave, son of the king of the Nor- wegians, and to their bishop, and to the earl of Orkney, and to all those who were left in the ships : and they then went up to our king, and swore oaths that they ever would observe peace and friendship towards this land ; and the king In.t them go home with twenty-four ships. These two general battles were fought within five days. Then came William earl of Normandy into Pevensey, on the eve of St. Michael's- mass : and soon after they were on their way, they construc- ted a castle at Hasting's-port. This was then made knowa to king Harold, and he then gathered a great force, and came to maet him at the estuary of Appledore ; and William came

A.D.1066. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 139

against him unawares, before his people were set in order. But the king nevertheless strenuously fought against liiiii with those men who would follow him ; and there was great slaughter made on either hand. There was slain king Harold, and Leofwin the earl, his brother, and Girth the earl, his brother, and many good men ; and the Frenchmen had possession of the place of carnage, all as God granted them for the people's sins. Archbishop Aldred and tlie townsmen of London would then have child Edgar for king, all as was his true natural right : and Edwin and Morcar vowed to him that they would fight together with him. But in that degree that it ought ever to have been forwarder, so was it from day to day later and worse ; so that at the end all passed away. This fight was done on the day of Calix- lus the pope. And William the earl went afterwards again to Hastings, and there awaited to see whether the people would submit to him. But when he understood that they would not come to him, he went upwards with all his army which was left to him, and that which afterwards had come from over sea to him ; and he plundered all that part which he over-ran, until he came to Berkhampstead. And there came to meet him archbishop Aldred,* and child Edgar, and Edwin the earl, and Morcar the earl, and aU the chief men of London ; and then submitted, for need, when the most harm had been done : and it was very unwise that they had not done so before ; since God would not better it, for our sins : and they delivered hostages, and swore oaths to him ; and he vowed to them that he would be a loving lord to them : and nevertheless, during this, they plundered all that they over-ran. Then, on mid-winter's day, arch- bishop Aldred consecrated him king at Westminster ; and he gave him a pledge upon Christ's book, and also swore, before he would set the crown upon his head, that he would govern this nation as well as any king before him had at the best done, if they would be faithful to him. Nevertheless, he laid a tribute on the people, very heavy ; and then went, du- ring Lent, over sea to Normandy, and took with him arch- bishop Stigand, and Aylnoth, abbat of Glastonbury, and child Edgar, and Edwin the earl, and Morkar the earl, 4nd Waltheof the earl, and many other good men of Eng« • Of York.

140 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. iocs.

land. And bishop Odo* and William the earl remained here behind, and they built castles wide throughout the nation, and poor people distressed ; and ever after it greatly grew in evil. May the end be good when God will !

A. 1066. This year died king Edward, and Harold the earl succeeded to the kingdom, and held it forty weeks and one day. And this year came William, and won England. And in this year Christ-Church f was burned. And this year appeared a comet on the 14th before the Kalends of May.

A. 1U66. . . . J And then he [Tosty] went thence, and did harm everywhere by the sea-coast where he could land, as far as Sandwich. Then was it made known to king Harold, who was in London, that Tosty his brother was come to Sandwich. Then gathered he so great a ship-force, and also a land force, as no king here in the land had before gathered, because it had been soothly said unto him, that William the earl from Normandy, king Edward's kinsman, would come hither and subdue this land: all as it afterwards happened. When Tosty learned that king Harold was on his way to Sandwich, then went he from Sandwich, and took some of the boatmen \vith him, some willingly and some unwillingly ; and went then north into Humber, and there ravaged in Lindsey, and there slew many good men. When Edwin the earl and Morcar the earl understood that, then came they thither, and drove him out of the land. And he went then to Scotland : and the king of Scots protected him, and assisted him with provisions ; and he there abode all the summer. Then came king Harold to Sandwich, and there awaited his fleet, because it was long before it could be gathered together. And when his fleet was gathered together, then went he into the Isle of Wight, and there lay all the summer and the harvest ; and a land-force was kept every where by the sea, though in the end it was of no benefit. When it was the Nativity of St. Mary, then were the men'r provisions gone, and no man could any longer keep them there. Then were the men allowed to go home, and the king rode up, and the ships were despatched to London ; and many perished before they came thither. When the ships had reached home, then came king Harold from Norway, north into Tyne, and unawares, with a very large ship-force, and no small one; that might be, or more. And Tosty the earl came to him with all that he had gotten, all as they had before agreed ; and then the)' went both, with all the fleet, along the Ouse, up towards York. Then was it made known to king Harold in the south, as he was come from on ship- board, that Harold king of Norway and Tosty the earl were landed near York. Then went he northward, day and night, as quickly as he couM gather his forces. Then, before that king Harold could come thither, then gathered Edwin the earl and Morcar the earl from their earldom as great a force as they could get together ; and they fought against the army, and made great slaughter : and there was much of the English people slain, and drowned, and driven away in flight ; and the Northmen had possession of the place of carnage. And this fight was on the vigil of St. Matthew the apostle, and it was Wednesday. And then, after the fight, went Ha- rold king of Norway, and Tosty the earl, into York, with as much people • Odo, bishop of Bayeux, half brother of king William, ani Wiliia^ Fit7. Osbert, created earl of Hereford. + Canterbury,

^ Continued after '* money as food/' in page 440.

A.D.1066. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 141

as seemed meet to them. And they deh'vered hostages to them froix the city, and also assisted them with provisions ; and so they went tlience to their ships, and tliey agreed upon a full peace, so that they should all go with him south, and' this land subdue. Then, during this, came Harold king of the Angles, with, all his forces, on the Sunday, to Tadcaster, and there drew up his force, and went then on Monday throughout York ; and Harold king of Norway, and Tosty the earl, and their forces, were gone from their ships beyond York to Stanfordbridge, because it had been pro- mised them for a certainty, that there, from all the shire, hostages should be brought to meet them. Then came Harold king of the English against them, unawares, beyond the bridge, and they there joined battle, and very Btrenuously, for a long time of the day, continued fighting : and there was Harold king of Norway and Tosty the earl slain, and nnmberless of tl>e people with them, as well of the Northmen as of th