=Source.=--Ingulph's _Chronicles_, pp. 421, 422. (Bohn Edition.)
The duke being thus removed from this world, the north-men, being
sensible that the only impediment was now withdrawn, and that there
was no one now who could care to resist their inroads, again swept
onwards like a whirlwind from the north, and in the impulse of their
fury attempted to overrun the whole of England. At this period
too, fancying that everything tended to insure them freedom from
molestation, paupers and beggars flocked forth from those quarters
in infinite numbers, just like so many mice rushing forth from their
holes, and universally devoted themselves to spoil and rapine, without
regard of place or person. For, besides the vast quantities of property
which they collected outside, they also irreverently rushed, in their
unbridled and frantic rage, into churches and the other sanctuaries of
God, and most nefariously plundered them of their chalices, books, and
vestments, and, unutterable crime! broke open the pixes in which were
kept the body of Christ, and shook out the sacred elements therefrom.
When the priests and the other faithful of Christ in any way offered
to make resistance, like so many abandoned wretches as they were, they
cruelly slaughtered them in the very churches or church yards. Thus
did they proceed with impunity, spreading in vast multitudes over a
space of thirty miles in breadth, and, covering the whole surface of
the earth just like so many locusts, made their way almost to the very
walls of London; all the moveables which they could possibly collect in
every quarter being placed on beasts of burden and carried off. With
such avidity for spoil did they press on, that they dug up the precious
vessels, which, through fear of them, had been concealed in the earth,
and with threats of death compelled the people to produce the treasures
which they had hidden in remote and obscure spots.