938.[AM]

This year King Athelstan the Lord of Earls, the Giver of Bracelets

to the Nobles, and his brother Edmund the Atheling, the elder, the

survivors of their race, the children of Edward, won lasting glory

with the edge of the sword in battle at Brunanburh.[AN] They clave

the wooden walls, they hewed down the tall banners, for it was the

portion of their lineage, that oft in the field they should defend

their lands, their treasures, their homes, against the enemy. The Scot

and the Ship-man fell on every side--the din of arms resounded sith

the sun in the morning tide rose glad over the earth, greatest of the

stars, bright candle of God the Lord Eternal, till the noblest of

things created sank in the west. There, struck down with darts, lay

many a warrior, Northmen pierced over their shields--Scots the savages

of war--The West Saxons, a chosen band, pressed the live-long day upon

the hated people. Sternly they smote down the flying multitudes, with

swords well sharpened at the stone. The Mercians shrank not from the

hard play of hands. Safety there was none for the companions of Anlaf,

for those who sought the land for deadly fight over the billowy sea,

bosomed in ships.--Five young Kings lay on the battle field, put to

sleep by the swords. So also seven Earls of Anlaf, and of the host from

the fleet, and of the Scots, more than can be numbered. The King of the

Northmen with his little troop fled in his terror to the voice of the

ship; the King of the Fleet, with one ship’s crew, living escaped over

the yellow deep.

So also the routed Constantine returned a fugitive to his northern

hills. The hoary warrior needed not to exult in the conflict of

swords.--He was the remnant of his race. His kinsmen were heaped on

the field--slain in the battle. He left his son on the place of blood,

covered with wounds. Young in war though old in wisdom, the fair-haired

youth was staid in his glorying by the bill of slaughter.

Neither could Anlaf and his broken army boast that they were better in

works of battle; at the fall of banners, at the meeting of darts, in

the conflict of men, in the exchange of weapons, when they had played

with the children of Edward in the field of death.

The Northmen, the sorrowful few spared by the darts, departed in their

nailed ships over the roaring sea--over the deep waters. They sailed

for Dublin, and disgraced their land.

Then the brothers, the King and the Atheling, returned to their

country, the West Saxon land. They left behind them the screamers of

war, the birds of prey. The sallow kite, and the black raven with the

horny beak, and the hoarse-voiced eagle devouring the white flesh, with

the battle-hawk, and the grey beast the wolf of the wood. Never in this

island had a greater destruction of men been worked by the edge of

the sword, say the books of the Wise Elders, since the Saxons and the

Angles came hither from the east--to Britain over the broad sea. Since

those glorious Earls, who smote the Welch on the anvil of battle, and

obtained their lands.

941.

This year King Athelstan died on the 6th of the calends of November,

forty-one years all but one day after the death of King Alfred; and the

Prince Edmund succeeded to the kingdom. He was then 18 years old; and

King Athelstan had reigned 14 years and 10 weeks.

942.

This year King Edmund, the Lord of the English, the protector of his

kinsmen, the worker of mighty deeds, conquered all Mercia unto the way

of the white spring, and the broad and sea-like stream of the river

Humber. Five towns, Leicester, and Lincoln, and Nottingham, Stamford

also, and Derby, lay in Danish thraldom, bowed under the power of the

Northmen, held in long durance, until the warlike heir of Edward, to

his own glory, delivered them from heathen bondage.

King Edmund stood as godfather at the baptism of King Anlaf; and late

in the same year he was godfather to King Regenold at his confirmation.

This year King Anlaf died. And Richard the Elder succeeded (in

Normandy), and reigned 52 years.

944.

This year King Edmund reduced all Northumberland, and drove out two

Kings, Anlaf the son of Syhtric and Regenald the son of Guthferth.

945.

This year King Edmund ravaged all Cumberland, and gave it to Malcolm

King of the Scots, on condition that he should join forces with him by

sea and by land.

946.

This year King Edmund died[AO] on St. Augustine’s day; he had reigned

six years and an half, and his brother Prince Edred succeeded to the

kingdom. He soon brought all Northumberland into his power, and the

Scots took oaths that they would will all that he should will.

949.

This year Anlaf came back to Northumberland.

951.

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

952.

This year the Northumbrians drove out King Anlaf, and took for their

king Yric the son of Harold.

954.

This year the Northumbrians expelled Yric, and King Ædred took to

himself the kingdom of Northumberland.

955.

This year King Ædred died in the prime of life on St. Clement’s day; he

had reigned nine years and a half: then Edwy the son of King Edmund and

of St. Ælgiva, succeeded to the kingdom, and he banished St. Dunstan

from the country.

956.

This year Wulstan Archbishop of York died; and this year Prince Edgar

received the kingdom of Mercia.

957.

This year King Edwy died on the calends of October, and his brother

Edgar took to himself the kingdom of Wessex, as well as Mercia and

Northumberland; he was then 16 years old.--There was prosperity in

his days, and God gave him to abide in peace so long as he lived, and

he, as it beseemed him, strove to merit this favour. He every where

exalted the glory of God, and he loved the laws of God, and attended

to the peace of the people, more than any King before in the memory of

man. And God also shewed him favour, so that Kings and Earls willingly

obeyed him, and submitted to that which he desired, and without

opposition he ruled all things according to his own pleasure. He was

greatly honoured throughout the nation because he willingly gave honour

to the name of God, and he often meditated in the law of God, and

exalted the glory of God far and wide, and he always took wise counsel

for his people before God and before the world. Yet was he guilty of

one great sin, in that he loved the vicious habits of foreign nations,

and established heathenish customs in this land, and invited hither

outlandish and mischievous people: but God grant that his good actions

may have outweighed his misdeeds, to the salvation of his soul in the

last day. This year he sent for St. Dunstan and gave him the bishoprick

of Worcester, and afterwards that of London.

961.

This year the good Archbishop Odo died, and St. Dunstan[AP] received

the Archbishoprick of Canterbury. This year the King’s kinsman Ælfgar

died in Devon, and his body lieth at Wilton. And King Sigeferth killed

himself, and his body resteth at Winborn. And this year there was a

great pestilence among men, and a great fever in London, and Paul’s

monastery was burned and was rebuilt the same year. This year the

priest Athelmod went to Rome, and he died there on the 18th of the

calends of September.

963.

This year the Deacon Wulfstan died, on Childermas-day, and after this

died Cyric the Priest. The same year the Abbot Athelwold received the

Bishoprick of Winchester, and was consecrated on a Sunday, the vigil

of St. Andrew. The second year after his consecration be founded many

monasteries, and he drove the clergy out of his bishoprick because they

would observe no rule, and he placed monks in their room. He founded

two abbeys, one for monks, the other for nuns, both in Winchester.

Afterwards he went to King Edgar, and desired of him that he would give

him all the monasteries which the heathens had destroyed, for that

he would restore them; and the King willingly granted his request.

And the Bishop came first to Ely, where. St. Ætheldrith lieth, and

he caused the monastery to be rebuilt, and he gave it to one of his

monks named Brihtnoth. He consecrated him abbot, and he established

monks there to serve God, whereas the place was formerly inhabited by

nuns, and he bought many small estates of the King, and made it very

rich. Afterwards Bishop Athelwold came to the monastery that is called

Medeshamstede, which had been destroyed by the heathens, and he found

nothing there but old walls and wild woods. He found also hidden in

the old wall the records which the abbot Headda had formerly written,

how King Wulfhere and his brother Æthelred had built the monastery,

and had made it free of the King, of the Bishop, and of all earthly

service; and how the Pope Agatho had confirmed this with his rescript,

and the Archbishop Deusdedit also. He then caused the monastery to

be rebuilt, and he appointed an abbot whose name was Aldulf, and he

peopled that place with monks, which was before a wilderness. Then he

came to the King, and caused him to look at the writings which had

been found, and the King then answered and said, “I King Edgar, before

God and in presence of the Archbishop Dunstan, do this day grant to

St. Peter’s monastery of Medeshamstede, freedom from subjection to

the King and to the Bishop, and do endow it with all these adjoining

villages, to wit, Æst-feld (Eastfield), and Dodes-thorp (Dasthorp), and

Ege (Eye), and Pastun (Paston). And I so make it free, that no Bishop

shall have any authority over it, but the abbot of the monastery alone.

And I give the town called Undela (Oundle) with all the land belonging

to it, which is called the Eahte hundred, with the markets and tolls,

so freely, that neither the King, nor the Bishop, nor the Earl,

nor the Sheriff of the county, shall have any power there, neither

any man, excepting the abbot alone, and those whom he may appoint

thereto. And at the request of Bishop Athelwold, I give these lands

to Christ and to St. Peter, to wit, Barwe (Barrow or Berk, Rutland),

Wermington (Warmington, Northamptonshire), Æsctun (Ashton, near

Oundle?), Kettering, Castra (Castor, Northamptonshire), Egleswurthe

(Ailesworth), Walton, Withringtun (Werrington), Ege (Eye), Thorp (near

Kettering); and I empower them to have a moneyer at Stamford. And I

herewith assign to Christ and to St. Peter the sac and soc, toll and

team, and infangentheof, and all other rights attached to the lands,

and to others belonging to the monastery. And I give two parts of

Witlesmere (Whittleseymere) with the waters, the wears, and the fens,

and so on through Merelade unto the river which is called the Nen, and

so eastward to Cyngesdælf. And it is my will that a market be held in

that town, and that there be no other betwixt Stamford and Huntingdon;

and I will, that the toll should be given thus: first, from Witlesmere

as far as the King’s toll of Northmannes-cross (Normancross) hundred

and again on the other side, from Witlesmere through Merelade unto the

Nen, and thence as the water runneth to Croyland, and from Croyland to

Must, and from Must to Cyngesdælf and to Witlesmere. And I will that

all the exemptions and all the privileges granted by my predecessors

stand good and I subscribe to this, and do confirm it with the cross of

Christ.” Then Dunstan the Archbishop of Canterbury answered and said,

“I confirm all that has been said, and I will that all things which

thy predecessors and mine have, granted should stand; and whosoever

breaketh this grant, to him give I the curse of God, and of all the

saints, and that of every consecrated head, and my curse also, unless

he come to repentance I also give to St. Peter my surplice, stole, and

vestment for the service of Christ.” “I Oswald Archbishop of York do

ratify all these words with the sign of the holy cross on which Christ

suffered.” “I Bishop Athelwold bless all who; do observe this, and I

excommunicate whomsoever breaketh it, unless he come to repentance.”

There were present also the Bishops Ælfstan and Athulf, and the Abbots

Escwi and Osgar and Æthelgar, and the Aldermen Ælfere, Æthelwine,

Brihtnoth, and Oslac, with many other great men, and they all confirmed

this grant, and subscribed thereto the cross of Christ. This was done

972 years after the birth of our Lord, and in the 16th year of the

King’s reign. Then the Abbot Aldulf bought many lands, with which he

endowed the monastery; and he remained there till the death of Oswald

Archbishop of York, on which he was chosen to succeed him. And another

Abbot was immediately chosen out of the same monastery; his name was

Kenulf, and he was afterwards Bishop of Winchester. He first built the

walls round about the monastery, and he gave it the name of Burch,

whereas it had before been called Medeshamstede. He remained there

until he was nominated Bishop of Winchester, and then another Abbot,

whose name was Ælfsi, was chosen out of the same monastery. This Ælfsi

was Abbot there fifty years; he took up St. Kyneburh and St. Kynesvith

who lay at Castra (Castor), and St. Tibba, who was buried at Rihala

(Ryal or Ryehall, Rutland), and he presented all these relics to St.

Peter in one day, and he kept them whilst he remained there.

964.

This year King Edgar drove the priests of Winchester out of the old

monastery, and out of the new also, and out of Ceortesige (Chertsey),

and out of Middel-tun (Milton Abbey, Dorsetshire), and placed monks

in their room. And he made Æthelgar Abbot of the new monastery, and

Ordbryht Abbot of Chertsey, and Cyneweard of Milton.

966.

This year Thored the son of Gunner ravaged Westmoreland: and the same

year Oslac received the office of Alderman.

969.

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

970.

This year died Archbishop Oskytel. He was first consecrated to the

Bishoprick of Dorchester, and was afterwards translated to the see of

York, with the sanction of King Edred and all his Witan. He was Bishop

22 years, and he died at Tame on All Saints’ night, ten nights before

Martinmas; and his kinsman the Abbot Thurkytel carried the Bishop’s

body to Bedford, for he was Abbot there at that time.

971.

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

973.

This year Edgar the ruler of the English was consecrated as King

with great pomp in the ancient town of Acemannes-ceaster, which the

inhabitants also call Bath. There was much joy among all the sons of

men on that blessed day, called the day of Pentecost. There was a

multitude of priests, and a great throng of monks, wise men in my mind,

gathered together. At that time ten hundred years were reckoned to have

passed away since the birth of the King of glory, the Keeper of Light,

excepting only, that, as writers say, twenty-seven winters were wanting

thereto. So nearly was the thousandth year of our conquering Lord

completed when this event took place. And the son of Edmund, the man of

mighty deeds, had then been nine and twenty years in the world, and in

his thirtieth year he was a King, and consecrated.

And soon afterwards the King led all his fleet to Chester; and six

Kings met him there, and promised faithfully that they would aid him by

sea and by land.

975.

This year Edgar, King of the English, ended his earthly joys; he chose

for himself another light, beautiful and pleasant, and gave up this

worthless life, which the children of the people, the men of dust,

confess to be so vain. It was in that month which every where in this

country is called July by those who have been rightly instructed in

the art of numbers, and on the 18th day of the month, that the young

Edgar, the giver of bracelets to the valiant, departed this life. And

then his son, a child not full-grown, succeeded to the kingdom: he was

the ruler of Earls, and his name was Edward--a prince most excellent.

Ten days before this Britain lost Cyneweard, that good and kindly

Bishop. At that time, to my mind, the glory of the Supreme governor was

trampled on throughout Mercia, many of God’s wise servants were driven

away, and this was a great sorrow to those who bore in their hearts

and minds an ardent love of their Creator. Then indeed was the author

of miracles set at nought, he who is the disposer of victory, and the

law-giver of heaven, when men violated his right. And then also that

beloved chieftain Oslac was driven from the land, and that long-haired

warrior, wise and discreet in words, was borne, bereaved of an home, on

the rolling waves, on the sea bird’s bath, on the roaring waters, over

the country of the whales. And then a star appeared in the sky, above

in the firmament, which strong-minded men, of deep learning, skilful

men, and wise soothsayers, universally call a comet. The vengeance of

the Almighty was upon the nation, and a dire famine in the country.

But this again, the ruler of Heaven, the Lord of the angels, removed,

and gave bliss to every inhabitant through the fruitfulness of the

earth.

This year the Alderman Ælfere caused the monks to be turned out of very

many monasteries which the holy Bishop Athelwold had established by the

command of King Edgar. This year the great Earl Oslac was driven from

England.

976.

This year there was a great famine in England.

977.

This year a great meeting was held after Easter at Kyntlingtun

(Kirtlington?), and there Bishop Sideman died suddenly on the 2d of the

calends of May. He was Bishop of Devonshire, and he willed that his

body’s resting place should be at his metropolitan see of Cridiantun

(Crediton). Then King Edward and Archbishop Dunstan commanded that he

should be carried to St. Mary’s monastery of Abbandun (Abingdon); this

was done, and he was honourably buried in the north side of St. Peter’s

aisle.

978.

This year all the chief of the Witan of the English nation fell from

an upper floor at Calne, excepting the holy Archbishop Dunstan alone,

who stood upon a beam, and some had their bones broken, and others

escaped not with their lives. This year King Edward was slain at

Corfes-geat (Corfe Castle), in the evening of the 15th of the calends

of April, and he was buried at Wareham without any royal honours. No

worse deed than this had been committed amongst the people of the

Angles since they first came to the land of Britain. Men murdered

him, but God gave him glory. In his life he was an earthly King, but

now after his death he is a Saint in heaven. His mortal kinsmen would

not avenge him, but his heavenly Father hath avenged him greatly. His

earthly murderers would have blotted out his memory from the world, but

the avenger who is above hath widely extended his fame in heaven and

earth: and whereas they formerly would not bow down before his living

body, now they piteously bend their knees to his dead bones. We may

gather hence, that the wisdom of men, their devices and counsels, avail

nothing against the purposes of God. And the same year his brother

Prince Æthelred took to himself the kingdom, and was consecrated very

soon afterwards at Cyninges-tun (Kingston), with great rejoicing of

the Witan of the English nation.

980.

This year St. Dunstan and the Alderman Ælfhere fetched the body of the

holy King St. Edward from Wareham, and brought it with great pomp to

Shaftesbury.

981.

This year seven ships first came and plundered Southampton.

983.

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

984.

This year died the good Bishop Athelwold, the father of monks: and the

consecration of his successor Ælfheah, who was also called Godwin, took

place on the 14th of the calends of November, and he was installed at

Winchester on the feast of the two Apostles Simon and Jude. And this

year Eadwine was consecrated Abbot of Abingdon.

985.

This year the Alderman Ælfric was banished.

986.

This year the King laid waste the Bishoprick of Rochester, and this

year the great distemper among the cattle first afflicted the English

nation.

987.

This year Weced-port (Watchet) was plundered.

988.

This year the Danish Thane Goda was killed, and many with him. And

this year the holy Archbishop Dunstan gave up this life, and entered

upon that of heaven; and Bishop Æthelgar succeeded him in the

Archbishoprick, and he lived but a short time afterwards, only one year

and three months.

989.

This year the Abbot Ædwine died, and Wulfgar succeeded him. And Siric

was consecrated Archbishop, and he afterwards went to Rome for his pall.

991.

This year Ipswich was plundered, and very soon afterwards the Alderman

Brihtnoth was slain at Maiden. And the same year it was first proposed

that a tribute should be paid to the Danes, because of the great terror

in which they kept the coasts. This tribute was at first ten thousand

pounds: it was Archbishop Siric who gave this as his counsel.

992.

This year the blessed Archbishop Oswald departed this life, and entered

upon that of heaven; and the Alderman Æthelwine died the same year.

Then the King and his Witan determined that all the ships which were

fit for service should be assembled at London; and the King put this

fleet under the command of the Alderman Ealfric, and of the Earl

Thorode, and of the Bishops Ælfstane and Æscwig, and they were ordered

to endeavour to surprise and block up the Danes. Then the Alderman

Ælfric sent and warned them; and in the night preceding the day on

which an engagement would have taken place, he himself left his fleet,

to his exceeding dishonour, and the enemy escaped, excepting one ship,

which was destroyed. And then they met the ships of East Anglia and of

London, and there they made a great slaughter, and they took the ship

in which the Alderman sailed, and which was well manned and fitted out.

Upon the death of Archbishop Oswald, Ealdulf Abbot of Peterborough

was raised to the Bishoprick of York and Worcester, and Kenulf to the

Abbacy of Peterborough.

993.

This, year Anlaf came to Staines with 93 ships, and plundered that

part of the country; and he went thence to Sandwich, and so on to

Ipswich, and laid all waste, and thus he proceeded to Malden. And then

the Alderman Byrhtnoth came against him, and their armies fought,

but the Alderman was slain, and Anlaf’s army kept possession of the

field of battle, and peace was made with him, and the King afterwards

stood godfather at his confirmation, by the advice of Siric Bishop

of Canterbury and of Ælfeag of Winchester. This year Bamborough was

destroyed, and much plunder was seized there. And after this the Army

came to the mouth of the Humber, and did great damage in Lindsey

and in Northumberland. Then a great number of troops were gathered

together, but when they were about to engage in battle, their leaders

first betook themselves to flight. These were Fræna, and Godwin, and

Frithegist. The same year the King put out the eyes of Ælfgar the son

of the Alderman Ælfric.

994.

This year Archbishop Sigeric died, and Ælfric Bishop of Wiltshire was

chosen as his successor by King Æthelred and his Witan, at Ambresbyri

(Amesbury), on Easter-day. This year Anlaf and Swegen came to London on

the nativity of St. Mary, with 94 ships, and they attacked the city

vigorously, and they also attempted to burn it with fire, but they

suffered more loss and injury than they could ever have looked for

from any townsmen, for the holy Mother of God in her mercy manifested

herself to the inhabitants, and delivered them from their enemies. And

then these departed, and did as much damage as any army might, burning,

plundering, and slaying, along the coasts of Essex, of Kent, of Sussex,

and of Hampshire. And at length they took horses and rode far and

wide wherever they would, and they did unspeakable mischief. Then the

King and his Witan determined to send to them and offer them tribute

and a supply of provisions, on condition that they would abstain from

plundering. This they accepted, and all the army came to Southampton,

and there they took up their winter quarters, and all the kingdom of

Wessex provided food for them, and sixteen thousand pounds were paid to

them. Then the King sent the Bishop Ælfeach and the Alderman Æthelward

for King Anlaf, and hostages were left in the ships, while they brought

him with much pomp to the King at Andover; and King Æthelred stood

godfather at his confirmation, and gave him royal presents. And Anlaf

made him then a promise, which he also fulfilled, that he would never

again come with hostile designs against the English nation.

“This year Richard the elder died, and his son Richard succeeded him,

and reigned 31 years” (in Normandy).

995.

This year a comet appeared.

997.

This year the Army sailed round Devonshire into the mouth of the

Severn, and plundered in Cornwall, Wales, and Devon; and they landed at

Watchet, and did much damage there, burning and slaying. And after this

they sailed southward, and round Penwiht-steort (the Land’s end), and

they entered the mouth of the Thamar, and proceeded up that river until

they came to Lydeford, and they burned and slew all before them; and

they burned Ordulf’s monastery at Ætefingstoce (Tavistock), and carried

innumerable spoils to their ships. This year Archbishop Ælfric went to

Rome for his pall.

998.

This year the Army again turned eastward into the mouth of the Frome,

and they made inroads upon Dorsetshire as far as they would on either

side. And troops were often gathered together against them, but

whenever they were about to engage, from some cause or other, a flight

constantly took place, and the enemy always obtained the victory in

the end. At another time they lay off the Isle of Wight, and supplied

themselves with provisions from Hampshire and Sussex.

999.

This year the Army again sailed round into the Thames, and came up the

Medway as far as Rochester. And the Kentish troops marched against

them, and fought with them bravely: but too soon, alas! they gave way

and fled, because they had not the support which they ought to have

had. Then the Danes kept possession of the field of battle, and having

seized horses they rode far and wide wherever they chose, and they

plundered and laid waste nearly all the western part of Kent. Then the

King with his Witan resolved that both a fleet and an army should be

sent against them; but when the ships were ready, they delayed them

from day to day, and oppressed the miserable people who served in them.

And whenever the ships were going to sail, they were always stopped

from time to time, and they allowed the enemy’s forces to increase

continually, and whenever these retired from the coast, they then went

forth after them. In the end this fleet served no purpose, but to weary

the men, to waste money, and to encourage the enemy.

1000.

This year the King went into Cumberland and laid waste nearly the whole

of it; and his ships attempted to get round Chester, and were to have

met him, but they were not able; then they plundered Mænige (Anglesey).

And the enemy’s fleet sailed this summer to the dominions of Richard.

1001.

This year the peace of England was much disturbed by the pirates, who

plundered and burned in all parts; and thus they proceeded in one

course until they came to Æthelinga-dene (Alton), and there the men of

Hampshire met them, and fought with them. And the King’s High Sheriff

Ethelweard was killed there, and Leofric of Whitechurch, and Leofwine

the King’s High Sheriff, and Wulfhere the Bishop’s Thane, and Godwin of

Weorthig (Worthing?) the son of Bishop Ælfsig, and there fell 81 men

in all. And many more were slain on the part of the Danes, although

they kept possession of the field of battle. And thence they proceeded

northward until they came into Devon, and there Pallig joined them

with all the ships that he could collect, for he had deserted from

King Ethelred after all the assurances of fidelity which he had given

him, and although the King had been very bountiful to him, in gifts

of houses, of gold, and of silver. And they burned Tegnton (Teynton),

and many other good villages which we cannot name, and afterwards the

people of that country made a treaty with them; and they departed

thence to Exmouth, and so they went on in one course until they came

to Peonnho (Pen), and there Cola the King’s High Sheriff, and Eadsige

the King’s Sheriff, came against them with the troops which they had

gathered together, but they were put to flight and many were slain, and

the Danes kept possession of the field of battle. And the next morning

they burned the villages of Pen and of Clifton, and many good villages

besides which we cannot name. And then they proceeded eastward until

they arrived at Wight, and in the morning they there burned the village

of Wealtham and many other hamlets, and the inhabitants soon treated

with them and obtained peace.

1002.

This year the King and his Witan again resolved to give tribute to the

fleet, and to negociate a peace with them, on condition that they would

cease from doing mischief. Then the King sent the Alderman Leofsig

to the fleet, and there he set forth the King’s words, and the peace

proposed by the Witan, that they should receive provisions and tribute;

and they accepted these terms, on which twenty-four thousand pounds

were paid to them. At this time the Alderman Leofsig slew the King’s

High Sheriff Æfic, and the King banished him from the country. And

during the same Lent, the Lady the daughter of Richard, came to this

land. In the summer of the same year Archbishop Eadulf (Ealdulf) died:

and this year also the King gave command that all the Danes in England

should be slain on St. Brice’s day, because it had been reported to him

that they had a design to murder him first, and then all his Witan, and

thereupon to possess his kingdom without opposition.

1003.

This year Exeter was taken through the ill conduct of the French churl

Hugo, whom the Lady had placed there as her Sheriff; and the Army

entirely destroyed the town, and seized much plunder. Then a large

number of troops was gathered together from Wiltshire and Hampshire,

and they marched against the Army with great readiness; and the

Alderman Ælfric should have led these troops, but he practised his

former wiles, for as soon as they were so near that either array might

behold the other, he gave out that he was ill, and feigned sickness,

and thus deceived the troops whom he ought to have headed, even as it

is said--“When the General sickeneth, then the whole army is sorely

hindered.” When Swegn saw that they were not unanimous and that they

all began to return, he led his army to Wilton, and plundered and

burned that town, and thence they proceeded to Salisbury, and thence to

the coast again, and thither he carried their provender to his horses

of the sea.[AQ]

1004.

This year Swegn came with his fleet to Norwich, and plundered and

burned the whole town. Then Ulfkytel with the Witan of East Anglia

concluded that it was better to buy a peace of that army before they

did much harm in the country; for the enemy had come upon him unawares,

neither had he time to collect his troops; but in the time of truce the

Danes stole up from the ships and directed their course to Thetford.

When Ulfkytel heard this, he sent desiring that the ships might be hewn

in pieces, but this order was neglected. He himself assembled troops

secretly, as speedily as he might. And the invaders came to Thetford

within three weeks from the time that they first plundered Norwich, and

they remained one night in that town, and then plundered and burned

it. Then in the morning when they would have returned to their ships,

Ulfkytel came up with his troops, and they engaged in battle with fury,

and the slaughter was great on either side. The prime of East Anglia

fell there, but if all their forces had been collected, the Danes, as

they acknowledged, would never have returned to their ships.

1005.

This year died Archbishop Ælfric, and Bishop Ælfeah succeeded him in

the Archbishoprick. This year there was a great famine in England, such

as men never before remembered, it was so dreadful. And this year the

fleet sailed from this country to Denmark, but returned again in a very

short time.

1006.

This year Ælfehg was consecrated Archbishop; and Bishop Brihtwold

received the bishoprick of Wiltshire (Sherborn). And Wulfgeate was

deprived of all his honours, and Wulfeah and Ufegeat were blinded,

and the Alderman Ælfelm was slain, and Bishop Kenulf died. Then after

Midsummer the Danish fleet came to Sandwich and did all as they were

wont, plundering, burning, and slaying wherever they went. Then the

King caused all the West Saxons and Mercians to be called out, and they

kept the field against the Army all the autumn, yet this was of no more

avail than many times before, but for all this the Army went where it

would, and this campaign did the inhabitants more injury than they had

ever before suffered from any force, native or foreign. And in the

beginning of winter the troops returned home, and the enemy came after

Martinmas to their safe quarters in Wight, and thence they procured

for themselves whatever they wanted from all parts. At mid-winter

they went forth to get supplies, and marched through Hampshire into

Berkshire, and they proceeded as far as Reading, and they did as they

were wont and lighted their beacons wherever they came. And thence they

marched to Wallingford and entirely destroyed that town, and passing by

Æsces-dune (Aston) they made for Cwichelmes-hlæwe (Cuckamsley-hill), so

that they never approached the sea, but returned homeward the other

way. Then the troops of the country were assembled at Cynetan (Kennet),

and there they engaged in battle, and forthwith the enemy put these

troops to flight, and afterwards carried their spoils to the sea.

Then might the inhabitants of Winchester see that proud and fearless

Army marching past their very gates carrying with them to the sea

provisions and treasures from a distance of above fifty miles. The King

had crossed the Thames into Shropshire, and there he kept the feast

of Christmas. Then the dread of the Army became so great, that none

could think or imagine how they might be expelled from the country, or

how this land might be defended against them, for they had grievously

defaced every shire of Wessex with burning and devastation. The King

began anxiously to enquire of his Witan what measures they all thought

advisable to be taken for the preservation of this land before it was

entirely ruined. Then the King and his Witan agreed, that, for the good

of the people, they must pay tribute, though they were all unwilling so

to do. Then the King sent to the Army, and caused it to be told them

that he desired that there should be peace between them and him, and

that tribute and provisions should be delivered to them; and they all

accepted these conditions, and they were supported by the whole English

nation.

1007.

This year the tribute was paid to the Army; it was thirty thousand

pounds; and this year also Ædric was appointed Alderman over all the

kingdom of Mercia.

1008.

This year the King commanded that ships should be built and fitted

out with diligence throughout England, at this assessment, one vessel

from every 310 hides of land, and from eight hides a helmet and a

breast-plate.

1009.

This year the ships were ready of which we have before spoken, and

inasmuch as we learn from books, so many were never constructed by

the English nation in any King’s days; and they were all collected at

Sandwich, that they might lie off that port, and defend this land from

every foreigner. But yet the country had neither the fortune nor honour

to profit more by this fleet than by former armaments.

It was at this time, or a little earlier, that Brihtric the brother of

the Alderman Edric accused Childe Wulfnoth the South Saxon the father

of Earl Godwin before the King; on which Wulfnoth departed, and got

together twenty ships, and plundered the whole southern coast, and

did all manner of evil. Then it was said in the fleet that Wulfnoth

might easily be taken if the attempt were made, on which Brihtric

went forth with eighty ships, and he thought that he should gain

great fame, and that he should bring back Wulfnoth alive or dead. But

as they were proceeding in search of him, such a wind arose against

them as had never been remembered, and the ships were beaten about

and dispersed and driven ashore; and Wulfnoth immediately came and

burned them. When it was known in the remainder of the fleet where the

King was, how the other ships had fared, it seemed as if all plan and

conduct were lost, and the King, with the Aldermen and High-Witan,

returned home; thus lightly did they leave their ships, and the people

who were in them rowed them back to London. And in this manner they

caused the effort of the whole nation to fail, and the dread of the

enemy was in no wise lessened, as all the English people had hoped.

When the fleet was thus broken up, there came an immense army of the

enemy to Sandwich soon after Lammas, and forthwith they went their

way to Canterbury, and would speedily have stormed the town, had not

the inhabitants with greater speed begged for peace, and all the men

of East Kent made a peace with that army, for which they gave three

thousand pounds. And soon after this the army sailed round as far as

Wight, and they plundered and burned there as was their wont, and also

in Sussex, in Hampshire, and in Berkshire. Then the King ordered all

the nation to arms, that every quarter might be defended against them;

nevertheless they went wherever they would. At one time the King with

all the troops which he had collected, had intercepted them as they

were returning to their ships, but when all his people were ready to

fall upon them, the attack was prevented as usual by the Alderman

Ædric. Then after Martinmas the army returned into Kent, and took up

their winter quarters on the Thames, and lived upon Essex and upon the

neighbouring counties on each side of that river; and they frequently

attacked London, but, God be praised, the town yet stands in safety:

for they ever failed in their attempts against it. And after Christmas

they set out on an expedition through Chiltern, and so to Oxford, and

they burned that town, and they plundered on each side of the Thames

in returning towards the ships. But when they were warned that troops

were assembled at London to oppose them, they passed over at Staines:

thus they went on all the winter, and they were in Kent during Lent and

repaired their ships.

1010.

This year, after Easter, the aforesaid Army invaded the Angles; they

landed at Ipswich and marched straight forward to the place where, as

they had heard, Ulfcytel was with his troops. This was on the morning

of Ascension-day, and the East Anglians soon took to flight, but the

men of Cambridgeshire stood their ground firmly. The King’s son in

law Æthelstan was slain there, and Oswi and his sons, and Wulfric the

son of Leofwin, and Eadwig the brother of Æfic, and many other good

Thanes, and more than can be numbered of the common people. Thurcytel

Myranheafod began the flight, and the Danes kept possession of the

field of battle, and there they obtained horses; and after this they

were masters of East Anglia, and they continued to burn and plunder

that country for the space of three months, and they even penetrated

into the wild fens, and slew both men and cattle, and they set all on

fire, and they burned the towns of Thetford and Cambridge; and then

they returned southward to the Thames, the cavalry keeping up with the

ships; and very soon they set forth again, and proceeded westward into

Oxfordshire, and thence into Buckinghamshire, and so along the Ouse

until they came to Bedford, and thus on to Tempsford, burning wherever

they went; and then they returned to their fleet with their plunder,

and divided it amongst the ships. And when the English troops ought to

have taken the field to repel the invaders they departed home, and when

the enemy was in the east these were kept in the west, and when they

were in the south our troops were in the north. Then all the Witan were

summoned to the King, to consult how this land might be defended, but

yet they persevered not for one month in any of the plans determined

on; and at length there was no leader who would gather the troops

together, but every man fled as best he might, nor indeed would any

county unite with another. Then before St. Andrew’s day the Army came

to Northampton, and forthwith burned that city, and they seized all

that they would in those parts, and thence they crossed the Thames into

Wessex, and so along the Caningan marshes (Cannington, Somersetshire?)

and they set all on fire, and having gone as far as they would for that

time, they returned to their ships at Christmas.

1011.

This year the King and his Witan sent to the Army, and desired peace,

promising tribute and supplies of provision, on condition that they

should cease from plundering. At this time they had overrun the

following districts: 1st, East Anglia; 2dly, Essex; 3dly, Middlesex;

4thly, Oxfordshire; 5thly, Cambridgeshire; 6thly, Hertfordshire; 7thly,

Buckinghamshire; 8thly, Bedfordshire; 9thly, half of Huntingdonshire;

and 10thly, south of the Thames, all Kent, and Sussex, and Hastings,

and Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, and great part of Wiltshire. All

these calamities befel us through ill-advisedness, because tribute was

not offered them sufficiently soon; but when they had done all possible

mischief, we then compounded with them for peace and quietness. Yet

notwithstanding this treaty and tribute, they went not forth the

less frequently in every direction, marching in separate divisions,

and carrying off or slaying our miserable countrymen. And this year,

between the nativity of St. Mary and Michaelmas, they besieged

Canterbury, and gained an entrance through treachery, for Ælmær, whose

life had been saved by Archbishop Ælfeah, betrayed the town to them.

And they seized the Archbishop Ælfeah; and Ælfword the King’s sheriff,

and the Abbot Leofwine, and Bishop Godwin, but they let the Abbot

Ælmær depart; and they took captive all the consecrated persons men and

women, none could say how great was the number of prisoners, and they

remained in the town as long as they would, and when they had ransacked

it thoroughly, they returned to their ships carrying the Archbishop

with them. He who erewhile was the chiefest of the English nation, and

of its religion, was now a prisoner; and now might men behold that

wretched city the abode of misery, wherein had been fullness of joy;

and from whence Christianity and blessedness had been first sent forth

to us, before God, and before the world. And they kept the Archbishop

with them until the time that they martyred him.

1012.

This year the Alderman Eadric and all the chief of the Witan of

the English nation, clergy and laity, came to London before Easter

day, which fell on the 13th of April, and they remained there after

Easter, until all the tribute was paid, it was 8000 pounds. Then on

the Saturday the Army was greatly exasperated against the Archbishop,

because he would not promise them money, but forbade others to give

them any thing on his behalf; they were also very drunken, for wine

was brought to them from the south; then they took the Archbishop and

led him to their hustings on the eve of Sunday the octave of Easter

day, and there they pelted him with the bones and skulls of cattle, and

at length one of them struck him upon the head with an iron axe, so

that he dropped down from the blow. And his sacred blood was spilled

upon the earth but his holy soul departed to the kingdom of God. And in

the morning the Bishops Eadnoth and Ælfhun and the townsmen took his

holy body and carried it to London with all reverence and buried it

in St. Paul’s Minster where God yet maketh manifest the power of the

blessed martyr. When the tribute had been paid, and the oaths of peace

were sworn, the Army again dispersed itself widely, as it had been

gathered together from various parts. And 45 of their ships entered

into the King’s service, and promised him that they would defend this

country, on condition that he should feed and clothe them.

1013.

The year after that in which Archbishop Ælfeg was martyred, the King

appointed Bishop Lifing to the see of Canterbury. And the same year

before the month of August King Swegn arrived with his fleet at

Sandwich, and he coasted very rapidly round East Anglia and entered

the mouth of the Humber, and so proceeded up the Trent until he came to

Gainsborough. And in a short time Earl Uhtred and all Northumberland

and the people of Lindsey submitted to him, and afterwards the

inhabitants of the five towns[AR] did likewise, and very soon after

this all the forces north of Watling-street submitted also, and

hostages were given him from each county. When he found that all the

people were subject to him he commanded that they should supply his

army with horses and provisions, and he then proceeded southward with

a large force, leaving the charge of his ships and hostages to his

son Cnut. And when they had passed Watling-street, they did as much

evil as any army might; he marched to Oxford, and the town immediately

surrendered and gave hostages; thence he went to Winchester, and the

inhabitants of that place did the same; thence he turned eastward

towards London, and many of his soldiers were drowned in the Thames,

not looking out for a bridge. And when he came to the city the

inhabitants would not surrender, but they held out against him and

fought bravely, for King Æthelred was there, and Thurkil with him.

Then King Swegn departed thence to Wallingford, and so over the Thames

westward to Bath, and he rested there with his army. And the Alderman

Æthelmer came thither, and all the western Thanes with him, and they

submitted themselves to King Swegn, and gave hostages. And having thus

conquered the country, he returned to his ships in the north, and all

the people fully received and acknowledged him as their true King. And

after this the men of London submitted to him and gave hostages, for

they feared lest he should utterly ruin them. Then Swegn exacted an

immense tribute, and provision for his army during that winter; and

Thurcyl demanded the same for the army at Greenwich; and besides this

they plundered as often as they would, to the great injury of this

people both in the south and in the north. The King remained a little

while with the fleet in the Thames, and the Lady went over sea to her

brother Richard, and Ælsige Abbot of Peterborough with her. And the

King sent Bishop Ælfun over sea with the Æthelings Edward and Alfred,

that he might take care of them. And the King went from the fleet to

Wight at Christmas, and he remained there during that festival; and

then he departed over sea to Richard, and he abode with him till Swegn

was dead. Whilst the Lady was beyond sea with her brother, Ælfsige

Abbot of Peterborough who was with her, went to a monastery called

Bonneval, where the body of Saint Florentinus lay. He found the place,

and the Abbot, and the monks in a condition of great misery, for they

had been plundered; and he bought of the Abbot and the monks the whole

of the remains of Saint Florentinus, excepting his head, for five

hundred pounds; and when he returned home he presented them to Christ

and to Saint Peter.

1014.

This year King Swegn ended his days at Candlemas, on the 3d of the

nones of February, and the fleet chose Cnut as King. Then all the Witan

of the English nation, clergy and laity, determined that they would

send to King Æthelred, and they assured him that no one was dearer to

them than their natural Lord, if he would govern them more righteously

than he did before. So the King sent his son Edward hither with his

deputies, and commanded him to greet all his people, and said that he

would be their faithful Lord, and that he would amend all that had

been complained of, and all that had been done or said against himself

should be forgiven, if they would return to him with one consent and

without guile. And confidence was fully established by words, deeds,

and pledges, on either side, and they outlawed for ever any Danish King

of England. In Lent King Æthelred came home to his own people, and he

was gladly received by them all.

After the death of Swegn, Cnut and his army remained at Gainsborough

till Easter, and it was agreed between him and the men of Lindsey that

the latter should furnish him with horses, and that afterwards they

should all go forth together and plunder. Then King Æthelred with all

his troops marched into Lindsey before they were prepared to oppose

him, and he plundered and burned, and he slew all the people that he

found; but Cnut the son of Swegn sailed away with his fleet, and thus

were these miserable people betrayed by him, and he steered southward

till he came to Sandwich, and there he set on shore the hostages

that had been delivered to his father, and he cut off their hands

and noses. And besides all these evils, the King ordered twenty-one

thousand pounds to be paid to the army at Greenwich. And on the eve of

Michaelmas-day this year was that great inundation of the sea over a

wide extent of this land, which came up farther than was ever known

before, and overwhelmed many towns and an immense number of persons.

1015.

This year there was a great meeting (of the Witan) at Oxford, and the

Alderman Eadric betrayed Sigeferth and Morcær the chief Thanes of the

seven towns,[AS] for he enticed them to his lodging, and there they

were basely murdered. And the King seized all their possessions, and

commanded that the widow of Sigeferth should be taken and carried to

Malmesbury. And a short time afterwards Prince Edmund went thither

and took her for his wife without the King’s consent. Then before the

feast of the nativity of St. Mary the Prince went northward to the five

towns, and he forthwith attacked the Heritage of Sigeferth and Morcær,

and all the people submitted to him. And at the same time Cnut came

to Sandwich, and he immediately sailed round Kent and along the coast

of Wessex till he came to the mouth of the Frome, and he plundered in

Dorset, Wiltshire and Somersetshire. At that time King Æthelred lay

sick at Cosham. And the Alderman Edric assembled an army and Prince

Edmund also raised troops in the north, and when they joined forces

the Alderman would have betrayed the Prince, but he was not able to

do this, therefore they parted, and gave place to the enemy without

fighting. And then the Alderman Edric drew off 40 ships from the King’s

party and went over to Cnut. And the West Saxons also submitted to Cnut

and gave hostages, and furnished his army with horses, and he remained

there until Christmas.

1016.

This year Cnut crossed the Thames into Mercia at Cricklade with the

forces of 160 ships, and the Alderman Eadric was with him. And they

invaded Warwickshire at Christmas, and there they plundered and burned,

and they slew all that they found. Then the Ætheling Edmund began to

gather troops together, but when they were assembled they refused to

serve unless the King were present, and they had also a reinforcement

from the citizens of London: and thus they set aside the expedition,

and every man departed to his home. After Christmas troops were again

levied, under a heavy penalty, that even those who were at a distance

must come forth; and a message was sent to the King at London, and he

was desired to meet this Army with all the force that he could muster:

but this effort availed not more than the many former attempts, for

when they were all assembled it was told the King that some[AT] who

ought to support him would betray him, on which the Army was broken up

and he returned to London. Then Prince Edmund rode to Northumberland

to Earl Uhtred, and all men thought that they would raise an army

to oppose King Cnut; but they marched into Staffordshire, and to

Shrewsbury, and to Chester, and they plundered on their side of the

country, while Cnut did the same on his. For he proceeded through

Buckinghamshire into Bedfordshire, and thence into Huntingdonshire, and

along the fens to Stamford, and then into Lincolnshire, thence into

Nottinghamshire, and then into Northumberland and towards York. And

when Uhtred heard this he left off plundering and hastened northward,

and he yielded to necessity and all Northumberland with him, and

he gave hostages, but nevertheless he was slain and Thurcytel the

son of Nafana with him. And after this Cnut appointed Yric Earl of

Northumberland in like manner as Uhtred had been. And then he returned

southward another way by the west; and thus the whole army came to the

ships before Easter. And Prince Edmund went to his father at London.

And after Easter King Cnut sailed towards London with all his ships,

but King Æthelred was dead before they arrived there. He died on St.

George’s day, after a life of much trouble and sorrow. After his death

all of the Witan who were in London and the citizens chose Edmund, for

their King, and he valiantly defended his kingdom during his whole

life. Then the ships came to Greenwich in Rogation week, and in a

little while they proceeded to London; they dug a great ditch on the

south side of the town and drew up their ships west of the bridge, and

they beset the town so that none could go in or out. And they attacked

the city several times, but the inhabitants withstood them resolutely.

And before this, King Edmund had gone forth, and he marched into

Wessex, and all the people submitted to him, and soon after that, he

fought with the Army at Pen, near Gillingham. And he fought another

battle after Midsummer, at Sceorstan,[AU] and there many fell on either

side, and the armies separated of their own accord.--The Alderman

Eadric, and Ælmær the Beloved, were with the Danes against King

Edmund.--And then he raised an army for the third time, and marched

to London and rescued the inhabitants, and he drove their enemies to

the ships. And within two days he crossed the river at Brentford and

fought with the Army, and put it to flight, but many of the English

were drowned through their own heedlessness, because they had hastened

before the main body, being greedy of plunder. And after this the King

went into Wessex and assembled troops, and the Army marched to London

and encamped round about the town, and they attacked it vigorously by

water and by land, but Almighty God delivered it; and they navigated

their ships from London into the Arwan (the Arrow), and they landed

and went up into Mercia, slaying and plundering all before them as was

their wont, and they supplied themselves with provisions and conveyed

their ships and cattle to the Medway. Then King Edmund assembled

all the English people for the fourth time, and crossed the Thames

at Brentford and marched into Kent, and the Danes fled before him

with their horses into Sheppey, and the King slew all whom he could

overtake; and at Aylesford the Alderman Eadric turned the King from

the pursuit: more treacherous advice than this never was given. The

Army went up again into Essex, and thence into Mercia, destroying all

things wherever they came. And when the King knew that they were on

their march, he assembled all the English troops for the fifth time,

and followed after them, and he came up with them in Essex, at the

place called Assandun,[AV] and there they fought furiously.--But the

Alderman Eadric acted as he had often done before; he was the first to

take to flight with the Magesætas (men of Radnorshire), and thus he

betrayed his natural Lord and all the people. There Cnut gained the

victory, though all England fought against him. And Eadnoth[AW] and

the Abbot Wulsige were slain there, and the Alderman Ælfric, and the

Alderman Godwin, and Ulfcytel of East Anglia, and Æthelward the son

of the Alderman Æthelsig, and all the prime of the English nobility.

After this battle King Cnut marched his army into Gloucestershire,

having heard that King Edmund was in that quarter. Then the Alderman

Eadric and those of the Witan who were there, advised that the Kings

should make peace between themselves, and the Kings met at Olan-ige

(Alney), and there they confirmed their alliance by pledges and oaths;

and they agreed upon the tribute for the Army. And when this treaty was

concluded they separated; King Edmund going into Wessex, and Cnut into

Mercia. The Army returned to their ships with the spoil which they had

gained, and the men of London treated with them, and bought peace, and

the Danes brought their ships into London, and there they took up their

winter quarters. Then on St. Andrew’s day, King Edmund died, and he was

buried with his grandfather Edgar at Glastonbury. And the same year

Wulfgar Abbot of Abingdon died, and he was succeeded by Æthelsige.

1017.

This year[AX] King Cnut took to himself the whole kingdom of England,

and he divided it into four parts, reserving to himself the government

of Wessex, and committing East Anglia to Thurcyll, Mercia to Eadric,

and Northumberland to Yric. This year the Alderman Eadric was slain,

and Northman also the son of the Alderman Leofwin, and Æthelword

the son of Æthelmær the Great, and Brihtric the son of Ælfget of

Devonshire. And King Cnut banished Ædwig the Ætheling, and Eadwig the

King of the Peasants. Then before the calends of August he sent for the

widow of the late King Æthelred, the daughter of Richard, to be his

Queen.

1018.

This year a tribute was levied throughout England; it amounted in all

to seventy-two thousand pounds, besides that paid by the citizens of

London, which was eleven thousand pounds. Then a part of the Army

returned to Denmark; but forty ships remained with King Cnut; and the

Danes and English came to an agreement[AY] at Oxford. And this year

Æthelsige Abbot of Abingdon died, and Æthelwine succeeded him.

1019.

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

1020.

This year King Cnut returned to England; and during Easter a great

meeting was held at Cirencester, at which the Alderman Æthelword was

outlawed. And this year the King went to Assandun, and caused a

Minster[AZ] to be built of stone and lime, for the souls of those who

were slain there, and he gave it to one of his priests whose name was

Stigand. And Archbishop Living died, and Æthelnoth a monk and Deacon of

Christ Church was consecrated Bishop of that diocese the same year by

Archbishop Wulstan.

1021.

This year at Martinmas King Cnut outlawed Earl Thurkil.

1022.

This year King Cnut sailed with his ships to Wight. And Bishop

Ælhelnoth journeyed to Rome, and was very honourably received by Pope

Benedict, who put on his pall with his own hands, and consecrated him

Archbishop with much pomp. And he performed mass clad in the same pall,

even as the Pope desired; and after this he banqueted with the Pope:

and at length he returned home with a full blessing.--And the Abbot

Leofwin, who had been unjustly banished from Ely, was his companion,

and he cleared himself of all that had been alledged against him, in

the presence of the Archbishop and of all the company that was with

him, as the Pope instructed him.

1023.

This year Archbishop Wulfstan died. Ælfric succeeded him, and

Archbishop Ægelnoth consecrated him at Canterbury. And the same year

Archbishop Ægelnoth brought the relics of the Archbishop St. Ælfeg from

London to Canterbury.

1024.

“This year Richard 2d died: then his son Richard reigned nearly one

year, and after him his brother Robert eight years.”

1025.

This year King Cnut sailed to Denmark, and thence to an island near the

river Helga,[BA] and there Ulf and Eglaf came against him with a great

fleet and army from Sweden. And very many fell on the side of King

Cnut, both Danes and English, and the Swedes remained in possession of

the field of battle.

1028.

This year King Cnut sailed from England to Norway with fifty ships of

English Thanes, and he expelled King Olaf and took possession of that

land.

1029.

This year King Cnut returned home to England.

1030.

This year King Olaf returned to Norway, and the people rose against

him, and fought with him, and he was slain.

1031.

This year as soon as King Cnut came to England, he granted to Christ’s

Church, in Canterbury, the harbour of Sandwich with all the profits

therefrom arising, on either side of the haven, to this distance,

namely, that when the tide runs highest and is fully in, and a ship

can ride as near the shore as possible, a man should stand in the ship

holding a small axe in his hand, “and as far as he could throw this

axe on shore, so far should their rights extend.” This year King Cnut

journeyed to Rome, and the same year after his return he went into

Scotland, and the Scotch King Malcolm, with two other Kings, Mælbæthe

and Iehmarc, submitted to him. And Robert Earl of Normandy went to

Jerusalem and died there, and he was succeeded in Normandy by William

then a child, who was afterwards King of England.

1032.

This year there were terrible lightnings, such as men remembered not

before, and which caused much damage in various places throughout the

country. And the same year Ælfsige Bishop of Winchester died, and the

King’s priest Ælfwine received that bishoprick.

1033.

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

Glastonbury.

1034.

This year died Bishop Ætheric.

1036.

This year King Cnut died at Shaftesbury, and he is buried in the

old monastery of Winchester. He was King over all England nearly 20

years; and soon after his death a meeting of all the Witan was held

at Oxford, and Earl Leofric, and almost all the Thanes north of the

Thames, and the seamen of London, chose Harold to govern all England,

both in his own right, and for his brother Hardacnut, who was then in

Denmark. And Earl Godwin and all the chief men of Wessex opposed them

as long as they could; but they could not prevail against them. Then

it was resolved that Ælfgiva the mother of Hardacnut should reside at

Winchester, with the King her son’s household, and should hold the

government of Wessex for him. Earl Godwin was the head man of that

party. Some men say of Harold that he was the son of King Cnut and of

Ælfgiva the daughter of the Alderman Ælfelm; but this is thought very

unlikely by many. Be this as it may, he was sole King of all England.

1037.

This year Ælfgiva the widow of King Cnut and mother of Edward and King

Hardacnut, was banished, and she sought an asylum with Baldwin oversea

in the south, and he gave her a residence in Bruges, and he protected

and maintained her as long as she was there.

1038.

This year Archbishop Æthelnoth died on the calends of November; and

within a short time Æthelric Bishop of Sussex died also; and then

before Christmas Brihteh Bishop of Worcestershire; and very soon after

that Ælfric Bishop of East Anglia. Then Bishop[BB] Eadsige succeeded to

the Archbishoprick; Grymcytel received the Bishoprick of Sussex; and

Living that of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

1039.

This year King Harold died at Oxford on the 16th of the calends of

April, and he was buried at Westminster: he governed England four

years and sixteen weeks, and in his reign a tax was raised for (keeping

up a fleet of) 16 ships, at the rate of eight marks to every sailor,

even as it had been in the days of King Cnut. And the same year King

Hardacnut arrived at Sandwich seven days before Midsummer, and he was

forthwith received as King by the English and by the Danes: but those

who promoted his accession paid dearly for it afterwards. Then they

determined upon raising a tax to keep up a fleet of 62 ships, at the

rate of eight marks for every sailor. And the same year the sæster of

wheat sold for 55 pennies and even more.

1040.

This year Archbishop Eadsige journeyed to Rome, and this year the

army-tribute was paid; it was twenty-one thousand and ninety-nine

pounds: and eleven thousand and forty-eight pounds were afterwards paid

for 32 ships. And the same year Edward the son of King Æthelred came

hither from abroad;[BC] he was a brother of King Hardacnut, for they

both were sons of Ælfgiva Emma the daughter of Earl Richard.

1041.

This year King Hardacnut died at Lambeth on the 6th of the ides

of June. He was King over all England two years all but ten days,

and he was buried with his father King Cnut in the old monastery at

Winchester; and his mother gave the head of the martyr Saint Valentine

for his soul’s sake to the new monastery. And before he was buried

all the people chose Edward King in London, and he held the kingdom

as long as God permitted him. And all this year was a very heavy time

in many different ways, from the inclemency of the weather, and from

the destruction of the fruits of the earth. So many of the cattle

also perished this year both from disease, and from the ill season,

as had never before been remembered. At this time Ælfsige Abbot of

Peterborough died, and the monk Arnwi was chosen in his place, because

he was a good man, and one of a singular simplicity.

1042.

On Easter-day, this year, Edward was consecrated King with great

worship at Winchester. Easter then fell on the 3d of the nones of

April. The Archbishop Eadsige consecrated him, and instructed him well

before all the people, and admonished him for his own good and that

of the nation. And the Priest Stigand was consecrated Bishop of East

Anglia. And soon afterwards the King gave command to over-ride the

lands which his mother held of him, and he took from her all that she

possessed in gold and silver, and treasures innumerable, because she

had not been liberal towards him.

1043.

This year Eadsige gave up his Archbishoprick, because of his

infirmities, and he consecrated thereto Siward Abbot of Abingdon, with

the consent and advice of the King and of Earl Godwin. This transaction

was disclosed to few before it was completed, because the Archbishop

thought that if it became known to many, some other man in whom he

trusted and confided less, would beg or buy the preferment. And this

year there was a very great famine over all England, and corn was so

dear as was never before remembered, so that a sæster of wheat sold

for 60 pennies, and even more. And the same year the King went out to

Sandwich with a fleet of 35 ships. And the Churchwarden Æthelstan was

made Abbot of Abingdon. And Stigand entered upon his Bishoprick.

It was in this year (1043) that Edward took for his Queen the

daughter of Earl Godwin.--The same year died Brihtwold; he had held

his Bishoprick, that of Sherbourne, 38 years, and the King’s Priest

Hereman succeeded him. And this year Wulfric was chosen Abbot of Saint

Augustine’s (Canterbury) at Christmas time, on St. Stephen’s day, with

the consent of the King and of the Abbot Ælfstan, because of the great

infirmities of the latter.

1044.

This year Living Bishop of Devonshire died, and the King’s Priest

Leofric succeeded him.--And this year Ælfstan Abbot of St. Augustine’s

died on the 3d of the nones of July. And the same year Osgot Clapa was

banished.

1045.

This year Grymkytel Bishop of Sussex died, and Heca the King’s Priest

succeeded him.--And this year Ælfwine Bishop of Winchester died on the

4th of the calends of September, and Bishop Stigand was translated from

the north to that see. And the same year Earl Swegn went out to Bruges

in the land of Baldwin, and he abode there all the winter, and departed

thence in the summer.

1046.

This year Æthelstan Abbot of Abingdon died, and Spearhafoc, a monk of

St. Edmund’s Bury, succeeded him. And this year Bishop Siward died, and

Archbishop Eadsige resumed the whole diocese. And the same year Lothen

and Yrling came to Sandwich with 25 ships, and they plundered, and

collected spoils innumerable, seizing men, gold and silver, so that no

man knew what the whole amount was. And they sailed round about Thanet,

and would have done the same there, but the inhabitants made a stout

resistance, and kept them from landing and from entering the river, and

wholly put them to flight; and then they came upon Essex, and there

they plundered, and carried off men and whatever they could find; and

thence they bent their course eastward to the land of Baldwin, and they

sold their booty there, and then they returned to the east whence they

came.

“Battle of Val des Dunes.”[BD]

In this year (1046) the great synod was held at St. Remy, at which the

Pope Leo was present, with the Archbishop of Burgundy, the Archbishop

of Besançon, the Archbishop of Treves, and the Archbishop of Rheims,

and many other wise men besides, both clergy and laity: and King Edward

sent Bishop Dudoc thither with Wulfric Abbot of St. Augustine’s, and

the Abbot Ælfwine, to the end that they might report to him what was

there determined upon with regard to the Christian religion.

The same year King Edward went out to Sandwich with a large fleet, and

Earl Swegn came with seven ships to Boseham, and treated with the King,

and it was promised him that he should be put in possession of all that

he had before; then his brother Earl Harold and Earl Beorn interfered,

and prevented his enjoying the King’s grant, and four days were allowed

for his return to the ships. In the mean while word was brought to the

King that an hostile fleet lay off the west, and was plundering. Then

Earl Godwin sailed westward with two of the King’s ships, one of which

was commanded by Earl Harold, and the other by his brother Tostig, and

with 42 of the ships furnished by the people.--Then Earl Harold was

removed from the king’s ship which he had commanded, and they sailed as

far as Pevensey, and lay there weather-bound. And within two days Earl

Swegn came thither and spake with his father and with Earl Beorn, who

was then with Godwin; and he entreated Beorn that he would go with him

to the King at Sandwich, and assist him in obtaining the King’s favour:

and Beorn consented to this, and they departed as if they would go

to the King. But, as they rode along, Swegn begged him to go with him

to his ships, for he feared that his sailors would desert unless he

returned speedily: and they both proceeded to the place where the ships

lay at anchor, and when they came thither Earl Swegn desired Beorn to

go on board with him; this he wholly refused, until the sailors seized

him, and threw him into a boat, and bound him, and rowed to the ships,

and put him in one of them. Then they hoisted sail, and proceeded

westward to Exmouth; and they kept him with them until they slew him,

and they took his body and buried it in a church. His friends and the

seamen of London afterwards came and took it up again, and carried it

to the old monastery at Winchester, and there he is buried beside his

uncle King Cnut. And Swegn went away eastward to the land of Baldwin,

with whose full leave he abode at Bruges during the whole winter.

And the same year died Eadnoth Bishop in the north,[BE] and Ulf was

appointed his successor.

1047.

This year a great council was held at London in the middle of Lent, and

nine of the ships belonging to the seamen were sent out, and five were

left there. And the same year Earl Swegn came to England. And a great

synod was assembled at Rome this year, and King Edward sent thither the

Bishops Hereman and Ealdred, and they arrived on Easter eve. And after

this the Pope held a synod at Vercelli; and Bishop Ulf came there, and

his staff would have been broken, if he had not given large sums of

money; for he did not know his office so well as he ought. This year

Archbishop Eadsige died on the 4th of the calends of November.

1048.

This year, during Lent, King Edward being in London, nominated Robert

Archbishop of Canterbury. And the same Lent he went to Rome for his

pall. And the King gave the Bishoprick of London to Sparhafoc Abbot of

Abingdon, and the Abbacy of Abingdon to his kinsman Bishop Rothulf.

The Archbishop returned from Rome one day before the eve of the feast

of St. Peter, and he was installed in Christ Church on St. Peter’s

day, and immediately afterwards he proceeded to the King. Then the

Abbot Sparhafoc came to him with the King’s letters and seal, to

the intent that he should consecrate him Bishop of London. But the

Archbishop refused, and said that the Pope had forbidden it: the Abbot

endeavoured to persuade the Archbishop, and he earnestly desired the

promotion, but the other constantly denied him, still saying that the

Pope had forbidden it. The Abbot notwithstanding returned to London,

and resided there in the diocese which the King had granted him all

the summer and autumn, and this with his full permission. And Eustace

arrived from beyond sea soon after the Archbishop, and he proceeded to

the King and spoke with him all that he would, and then he journeyed

homeward. When they had gone as far east as Canterbury he and his men

rested to eat, and thence they went on to Dover. And when he was a

mile or more from Dover he put on his breast-plate, and so did all

his followers; and they came to Dover. And when they were there, they

would fix on their quarters according to their own pleasure, and one

of his men came, and would have lodged in the house of a certain

person against his will, and he wounded the master of the house, but

the householder slew him. Then Eustace mounted his horse, and his

followers theirs, and they fell upon and slew the householder on his

own hearth. And thence they went towards the town, and they killed

within and without more than twenty men. And on the other hand the

townsmen slew nineteen of Eustace’s train, and wounded they knew not

how many. And Eustace got off with a few others, and returned again to

the King, and related partially what had occurred. And the King was

very angry with the townsmen, and he sent Earl Godwin, commanding him

to march into Kent, and to take vengeance upon Dover; for Eustace had

told the King that the townsmen were more in fault than himself, but

it was not so, neither was the Earl consenting to this expedition, for

he was unwilling to ruin his own vassals.--Then the King sent for all

his Witan, and desired that they should come to him at Gloucester, soon

after St. Mary’s day. At this time the Welch had built a castle in

Herefordshire, in the territory of Earl Swegn, and they did all manner

of despite and injury to the King’s subjects in the neighbourhood.

Then Earl Godwin, and the Earls Swegn and Harold, and many with them,

met at Beverston, that they might proceed to their liege Lord and his

Witan then assembled, and that they might obtain their advice and aid

for avenging this insult offered to the King and all his people. But

the Welch were with the King beforehand, and accused the Earls, so

that they were not admitted into his presence, because the others had

said, that they were coming with treasonous designs against the King.

Earl Siward and Earl Leofric and a great number of men from the north

had joined the King, and it was told Earl Godwin and his sons that

the King and those who were with him, were about to attack them, on

which they fortified themselves strongly, albeit they were loth to act

against their natural Lord. Then the Witan on either side advised that

they should abstain from hostilities, and the King gave the peace of

God and his own full friendship to both parties.--Then the King and his

Counsellors determined that another meeting of all the Witan should be

held at London, at the autumnal equinox: and the King commanded that

an army, as powerful as might be, should be raised both from the south

and from the north of the Thames. Earl Swegn was declared an outlaw,

and Earl Godwin and Earl Harold were summoned to be at the meeting with

as much speed as they could make. When they were come thither, they

were called before the Council, and they desired hostages and security

that they might go in and out of the Council safe from treachery; and

the King demanded all the Thanes whom the Earls had with them, and

they delivered them all into his hands. Then the King sent to them

again, and desired that they should come into the Council with twelve

attendants, but the Earl again desired security and hostages, that so

he might clear himself from every charge which had been brought against

him; but these hostages were finally denied him, and five days were

allowed him, in which he was to depart from the country. Then Earl

Godwin and Earl Swegn went to Boseham, and they put to sea, and sought

shelter with Baldwin, and they abode in his land the whole winter. And

Earl Harold sailed westward to Ireland, and remained there through the

winter, under the protection of the king of that country. And as soon

as all this had happened, the King sent away the Lady, who had been

consecrated as his Queen; and he caused all that she possessed of gold,

and of silver, and of every other thing, to be taken from her; and he

put her under the charge of his sister at Wherwell (in Hampshire). And

the Abbot Sparhafoc was driven from the Bishoprick of London, and the

King’s Priest William was consecrated thereto. And Odda was appointed

Earl of Devon, Somerset, and Dorset, and of Wales; and the Earldom

which Harold had enjoyed was given to Ælfgar the son of Leofric.

1052.

This year died Ælfgiva Ymma the mother of King Edward and of King

Hardacnut. And the same year the King and his Witan resolved that a

fleet should be assembled at Sandwich, and they appointed the Earls

Raulf and Odda to command it. Then Earl Godwin went with his ships

from Bruges to Ysera (the Ysere?), and thence after one day’s voyage

he arrived at the Ness south of Romney on Midsummer’s eve.--The Earls

who were stationed at Sandwich were informed of his arrival, and they

sailed in pursuit of him, and a land army was also called out to oppose

him. But in the mean time Earl Godwin was warned of their intentions,

and he put into Pevensey, and the weather was very stormy, so that the

Earls could not find out whither he was gone; and Earl Godwin sailed

out again and went back to Bruges, and the other ships returned to

Sandwich. Then it was advised that the fleet should be brought back

to London, and that other Earls and officers should be appointed, but

they delayed so long that all the ships separated and returned home.

When Earl Godwin heard this, he set sail and hastened westward to

Wight, and there they landed and plundered until the inhabitants gave

them as much money as they chose to exact. And thence they proceeded

westward, till they came to Portland, and there they landed, and did

all the mischief that they could. At this time Harold had left Ireland

with nine ships, and he arrived at Porlock, and a large body of the

inhabitants were collected to oppose him; nevertheless he feared not

to go in quest of provisions, and he landed and slew a great number of

these people, and seized whatever fell in his way, cattle, men, and

money.--And thence he proceeded eastward to join his father, and they

sailed together to Wight, and there they seized whatever had been left

before. Thence they sailed to Pevensey, and they took away with them

as many ships as were in the harbour: thus they proceeded to the Ness,

and they took with them all the ships that were at Romney, Hythe, and

Folkestone; and thence they turned eastward to Dover, and there they

landed, and obtained as many ships and hostages as they would; and so

they proceeded to Sandwich, and they did the same there, and the people

every where gave them the hostages and provisions that they demanded.

And from this place they made for the North Mouth (Buoy of the Nore);

and so they proceeded towards London; but some of the ships stopped at

Sheppey, and did much damage there, and at King’s Milton also, and

they burned that town, and then they followed the Earls to London. When

they were come to London, the King and all his Earls had stationed

themselves with fifty ships to oppose them. Then the Earls sent to the

King, and desired that all their possessions of which they had been

unjustly deprived should be restored to them: this demand the King

resisted for some time, even so long, that all the people who were with

the Earls became furiously enraged against him and his party; so that

the Earls themselves scarcely quieted them. At length, by God’s help,

and the intervention of Bishop Stigand, and wise men from the city and

the country, an exchange of hostages was brought about. When Archbishop

Robert and the French heard this, they took their horses and rode away,

some westward to Pentecost’s Castle, and others northward to Robert’s.

And Archbishop Robert and Bishop Ulf and their train rode out at the

east gate, and slew or wounded many young men, and they proceeded to

Ealdulf’s-ness (the Nase, Essex), and the Archbishop embarked in a

mean little vessel and went away beyond sea, and he left his pall and

his Archbishoprick in this land, even as God willed, since he had at

first obtained the same in a manner that pleased not Him. Then a great

Council was convened out of London, and all the Earls and the chief men

of England were at this meeting: Earl Godwin there took up the word,

and he protested before his Lord King Edward and the people of this

land that he was guiltless of all that was charged against him, and

against his son Harold, and all his children. And the King restored to

the Earl and his children his full friendship, and his whole Earldom,

and all that had belonged to him: and he granted the same pardon to

the men who were with him: and the King gave the Lady all that she

possessed before. And Archbishop Robert and all the Frenchmen were

fully outlawed, because they had been the chief promoters of the

difference between Earl Godwin and the King. And Bishop Stigand was

translated to the Archbishoprick of Canterbury. And at this time Arnwi

Abbot of Peterborough, being in sound health, gave up the Abbacy to

the monk Leofric, with the consent of the King and of the monks, and

he lived eight years afterwards. And the Abbot Leofric gilded the

monastery, so that men called it Golden Borough; and it became very

rich in lands, in gold, and in silver.

1053.

This year Earl Godwin died on the 17th of the calends of May, and he

is buried in the old monastery of Winchester. And his son Earl Harold

succeeded to the Earldom, and to all that his father possessed, and

Earl Ælfgar received Harold’s Earldom.

1054.

This year Leo the Holy Pope of Rome died. And this year there was a

great murrain amongst the cattle, such as men remembered not for many

winters before. And Victor was chosen Pope.

“Battle of Mortemer.”[BF]

1055.

This year Earl Siward died. And a meeting of all the Witan was

appointed seven days before Mid-Lent. And there Earl Ælfgar was

outlawed, for he was accused as a traitor to his King and all the

nation, and he was convicted before the King and all who were there

assembled, though the sentence grieved him sorely.--And the King

gave the Earldom which Siward had held to Tostig the son of Earl

Godwin.--And Earl Ælfgar went to the castle of Griffin in North Wales;

and the same year Griffin and Ælfgar burned St. Æthelbryht’s monastery

and the whole town of Hereford.

1056.

“This year Henry Emperor of the Romans died, and was succeeded by his

son Henry.”

1057.

This year Prince Edward the son of King Edmund came to this land, and

he died soon afterwards, and his body is buried in St. Paul’s monastery

at London. And Pope Victor died, and Stephen Abbot of Monte-Cassino

was chosen as his successor. And Earl Leofric died, and his son Ælfgar

succeeded to his father’s Earldom.

1058.

This year Stephen died, and Benedict was consecrated Pope: the same

sent hither a pall to Archbishop Stigand. And this year Heaca Bishop

of the South Saxons died; and Archbishop Stigand consecrated Ægelric a

monk of Christ Church to that Bishoprick, and the Abbot Siward to that

of Rochester.

1059.

This year Nicholas Bishop of Florence was chosen Pope, and Benedict the

former Pope was driven out.

1060.

This year Kynsige Archbishop of York died on the 11th of the calends

of January, and Bishop Ealdred succeeded him: and Walter received the

Bishoprick of Hereford.

“This year Henry King of France died, and was succeeded by his son

Philip.”

1061.

This year Duduc Bishop of Somerset died, and was succeeded by Gisa.

And this year Bishop Godwin died at St. Martin’s (Canterbury), on

the 7th of the ides of March. And the same year Wulfric Abbot of St.

Augustine’s died in Easter week, on the 14th of the calends of May.

When word was brought to the King that the Abbot had departed this

life, he chose Æthelsig a monk of the old monastery (of Winchester) to

succeed him, and he repaired to Archbishop Stigand, and was consecrated

Abbot at Windsor on St. Augustine’s day.

1062.

“This year the province of Maine was brought into subjection to William

Earl of Normandy.”

1063.

This year Earl Harold and his brother Earl Tostig invaded Britain[BG]

with an army, and fleet, and they conquered the country; and the

inhabitants gave hostages and submitted to them, and afterwards they

went and slew their King Griffin, and brought his head to Harold, and

he set another King over them.

1064.

This year the Northumbrians assembled together, and outlawed Tostig

their Earl, and they slew all his retainers whom they could meet with,

both English and Danes: and they seized all his arms at York, and his

gold, and his silver, and all his treasures that they could find. And

they sent for Morker the son of Earl Ælfgar, and chose him for their

Earl; and he marched southward with the troops of that country, and

of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire, till he arrived at

Northampton; and his brother Edwin joined him with the men of his

Earldom, and many Britons also came with him. Then they were met by

Earl Harold, and they charged him with a message to King Edward, and

they also sent deputies with him, and they desired that they might

have Morker for their Earl.--And the King granted this, and sent

Harold again to them at Northampton on the eve of St. Simon and St.

Jude’s day, and he reported the same to them, and put into their hands

the King’s assent, and there he renewed the laws of Canute. And the

northern men did much damage about Northampton whilst he was gone on

their errand, for they slew men, and burned houses and corn, and took

all the cattle they could find, being many thousand head, and many

hundred men did they seize and carry off into the north; so that this

county, and the others adjoining, were the worse for them during many

years. And Earl Tostig and his wife, and all who were of his party,

went over sea southward to Earl Baldwin, and he received them all, and

they remained there the whole winter.

1066.

This year the Abbey Church of Westminster was consecrated on

Childermas-day. And this year King Edward died on the eve of

Twelfth-day, and he was buried on Twelfth-day, in the Church of

Westminster, newly consecrated.--And Earl Harold succeeded to the

kingdom, even as the King had granted it to him; men, also chose him

thereto, and he was consecrated King on Twelfth-day, and reigned forty

weeks and one day. And the same year that he was made King, he went

out with a fleet against William; and in the mean time Earl Tostig

entered the Humber with 60 ships, but Earl Edwin came up with his

troops and drove him away, and the crews of his vessels also deserted

him. Then he went to Scotland with twelve smacks; and Harold King of

Norway joined him with 300 ships, to whom Tostig gave up the command,

and they entered the Humber together, and proceeded to York: and the

Earls Morker and Edwin fought with them, and the Norwegian King gained

the victory. King Harold, being informed of what had passed, came

with a great army of Englishmen, and he met the King of Norway at

Stæng-fordes-brycge (Stanford bridge), and he slew him and the Earl

Tostig, and routed their whole army.

And in the mean time Earl William landed at Hastings on Michaelmas-day,

and Harold marched from the North, and fought with him before all

his own army had come up, and he fell there with his two brothers,

Gyrth and Leofwin. And William conquered this land, and he came to

Westminster, and the Archbishop Ealdred consecrated him King, and men

paid him tribute, and gave him hostages, and afterwards bought their

lands again.

Leofric Abbot of Peterborough was in this campaign, and whilst he was

with the army he became ill, and he returned home, and died soon after

on All Saints’ night. May God glorify his soul! In his days was all

bliss and all prosperity at Peterborough, and he was beloved of all

men, so that the King granted to St. Peter and to him the Abbey of

Burton, and that of Coventry which his uncle Earl Leofric had founded,

and also those of Croyland and Thorney. And he enriched the monastery

of Burh with gold, with silver, with vestments, and with lands, more

than any other before or after him. And the Golden Borough now became

the borough of wretchedness. Then the monks chose the Provost Brand for

their Abbot because he was a very good man, and very wise; and they

sent him to Edgar Ætheling, for the people of those parts supposed that

he should be the King; and the Ætheling willingly confirmed him in his

office. When King William heard this he was very wroth, and said that

the Abbot had treated him with contempt; but good men interfered and

reconciled them, because of the excellence of the Abbot. He gave the

King forty marks of gold for his favour, and he lived but a short time

after, only three years. After this all tribulation and evil came upon

the monastery. May God have pity on it. And this year Christ Church was

burned, and a comet appeared on the 14th of the calends of May.

1067.

This year the King went over sea, and took with him hostages and

treasures. And he came back the next year on St. Nicholas’ day; and on

his return he restored to every man his land.--And this summer Childe

Edgar and Mærleswegn, and many others with them, departed and went to

Scotland, and King Malcolm received them all, and took the Childe’s

sister Margaret for his wife.

1068.

This year King William gave the Earldom of Northumberland to Earl

Robert, and the men of that country came against him, and slew him

and 900 others with him. And then Edgar Ætheling marched with all the

Northumbrians to York, and the townsmen treated with him; on which King

William came from the south with all his troops, and sacked the town,

and slew many hundred persons: and the Ætheling went again to Scotland.

1069.

This year Bishop Ægelric, being at Peterborough, was accused and sent

to Westminster; and his brother Bishop Ægelwin was outlawed. Then

between the two feasts of St. Mary, the sons of King Swegn and his

brother Earl Osbearn came from Denmark with three hundred ships; on

which Earl Waltheof marched forth, and he and Edgar Ætheling, and many

hundreds with them, came and joined this fleet in the Humber, and they

proceeded to York, and they landed and stormed the castle, and slew

many hundred men, and carried much treasure to their ships: and they

kept the chief men in bonds; and they wintered between the Ouse and the

Trent. And King William went into those parts, and laid them all waste.

And the same year Brand Abbot of Peterborough died on the 5th of the

calends of December.

1070.

This year Landfranc Abbot of Caen came to England, and in a few days

he was made Archbishop of Canterbury. He was consecrated at his

metropolis on the 4th of the calends of September, by eight Bishops his

suffragans; the rest who were absent signifying through messengers,

and by writing, why they could not be there.--This year Thomas, who

had been chosen as Bishop of York, came to Canterbury, that he might

be consecrated there after the old form, but when Landfranc craved the

confirmation of his subjection by oath, he refused, and said that he

was not obliged to give it. Then was the Archbishop Landfranc wroth,

and he commanded the Bishops, who were there at his behest to assist

at the ceremony, and all the monks, to unrobe him; and they did as

he desired: so this time Thomas returned home without a blessing. It

happened soon after this, that the Archbishop Landfranc went to Rome,

and Thomas with him: and when they were come thither, and had said all

that they would on other subjects, Thomas began his speech, saying how

he had come to Canterbury, and how the Archbishop had desired of him

an oath of obedience, and that he had refused it. Then the Archbishop

Landfranc began to make manifest with clear reasoning, that he had a

right to demand that which he required; and he proved the same with

strong arguments before the Pope Alexander, and before all the council

then assembled: and thus they departed home. After this, Thomas came

to Canterbury, and humbly performed all that the Archbishop required,

and thereupon he received the blessing. This year Earl Waltheof made

peace with the King. And during this Lent the King caused all the

monasteries in England to be despoiled of their treasures. The same

year King Swegn came from Denmark into the Humber, and the people

of those parts came to meet him and made an alliance with him, for

they believed that he would conquer this land. Then the Danish Bishop

Christien, and Earl Osbearn, and their Danish retainers, came into Ely,

and all the people of the fens joined them, for they believed that they

would conquer the whole country.--Now the monks of Peterborough were

told that some of their own men, these were Hereward and his train,

would pillage the monastery, and this, because they had heard that the

King had given the Abbacy to a French Abbot named Turold, and that he

was a very stern man, and that he was come into Stamford with all his

French followers. There was, at that time, a church-warden named Ywar;

and he took all that he could by night, gospels, mass-robes, cassocks,

and other garments, even all and each of such small things as he could

carry away, and he came before day to the Abbot Turold, and told him

that he sought his protection, and told how the outlaws were coming to

Peterborough, and he said that he had done this at the desire of the

monks. Then early in the morning all the outlaws came with many ships,

and they endeavoured to enter the monastery, but the monks withstood

them, so that they were not able to get in. Then they set fire to it,

and burned all the monks’ houses, and all those in the town, save one:

and they broke in through the fire at Bolhithe-geate (the Bulldyke

gate), and the monks came before them and desired peace. But they gave

no heed to them, and they went into the monastery, and climbed up to

the holy crucifix, and took the crown from our Lord’s head, which was

all of the purest gold, and they took the footstool of red gold from

under his feet. And they climbed up to the steeple, and brought down

the cope which was hidden there; it was all of gold and silver. They

also seized two gilt shrines, and nine of silver, and they carried

off fifteen great crosses of gold and silver. And they took so much

gold and silver, and so much treasure in money, robes, and books, that

no man can compute the amount; saying they did this because of their

allegiance to the monastery: and afterwards they betook themselves to

their ships and went to Ely, and there they secured their treasures.

The Danes believed that they should overcome the Frenchmen, and they

drove away all the monks, leaving only one named Leofwin the Long, and

he lay sick in the hospital. Then came the Abbot Turold, and eight

score Frenchmen with him, all well armed; and when he arrived he found

all burnt both within and without, excepting the church itself; and

all the outlaws were then embarked, knowing that he would come thither.

This happened on the 4th of the nones of June. Then the two Kings,

William and Swegn, made peace with each other, on which the Danes

departed from Ely, carrying with them all the aforesaid treasure. When

they were come into the midst of the sea, there arose a great storm,

which dispersed all the ships in which the treasures were: some were

driven to Norway, some to Ireland, and others to Denmark, and all the

spoil that reached the latter country, being the cope and some of the

shrines and crosses, and many of the other treasures, they brought

to one of the King’s towns called ----, and laid it all up in the

church.--But one night, through their carelessness and drunkenness the

church was burned, with all that was in it. Thus was the monastery of

Peterborough burned and pillaged. May Almighty God have pity on it

in his great mercy: and thus the Abbot Turold came to Peterborough,

and the monks returned thither and performed christian worship in the

church, which had stood a full week without service of any kind. When

Bishop Ægelric heard this, he excommunicated all the men who had done

this evil. There was a great famine this year; and this summer the

fleet from the Humber sailed into the Thames, and lay there two nights,

and it afterwards held on its course to Denmark. And Earl Baldwin died,

and his son Arnulf succeeded him; and Earl William (Fitz Osbern) and

the French King should have been his support: but Earl Robert came and

slew his kinsman Arnulf, and the Earl; and put the King to flight, and

slew many thousands of his men.

* * * * *

“In the second year after Lanfranc’s consecration he went to Rome.

Pope Alexander so greatly honoured him, that contrary to his custom he

rose to meet him, and gave him two palls in token of especial favour:

Lanfranc received one of them from the altar after the Roman manner,

and the Pope, with his own hands, gave him the other, in which he

himself had been accustomed to perform mass. In the presence of the

Pope, Thomas brought forwards a calumny touching the primacy of the see

of Canterbury, and the subjection of certain Bishops. Lanfranc briefly

and clearly states the conclusion to which this affair was afterwards

brought in England, in an epistle to the aforesaid Pope Alexander. This

year a general council was held at Winchester, in which he deposed

Wulfric Abbot of the new monastery, and made many regulations touching

Christian discipline. A few days afterwards, he consecrated Osbern at

London as Bishop of Exeter, and Scotland at Canterbury as Abbot of St.

Augustine’s.

“In his 3d year he consecrated Peter at Gloucester as Bishop of

Litchfield or Chester. This year also a great council was held at a

place called Pinenden (Pinnenden or Pinchenden Heath, near Maidstone),

in which Lanfranc proved that he and his church held their lands and

their rights by sea and by land, as freely as the King held his:

excepting in three cases: to wit, if the highway be dug up; if a tree

be cut so as to fall upon it; and if murder be committed and blood

spilt: when a man is taken in these misdeeds, the fine paid shall

belong to the King; otherwise their vassals shall be free from regal

exactions.

“In his 4th year he consecrated Patrick at London as Bishop of Dublin,

in Ireland, from whom he received a profession of obedience, and he

moreover gave him very memorable letters to the Kings of Ireland.

“In his 5th year a general council was held at London, the proceedings

of which Lanfranc committed to writing, at the request of many.

“In his 6th year he gave the bishoprick of Rochester to Hernost, a monk

of Christ Church, whom he also consecrated at London. A council was

held at Winchester: and the same year Hernost departed this life.

“In his 7th year, he gave the bishoprick of Rochester to Gundulf, whom

he consecrated at Canterbury. This year Thomas Archbishop of York sent

letters to Lanfranc, requesting that he would send two Bishops to

consecrate a certain priest, who had come to him with letters from the

Orkneys, to the intent that he might be made Bishop of those islands.

Lanfranc consenting to this, commanded Wolstan Bishop of Worcester,

and Peter Bishop of Chester, to go to York, and to assist Thomas in

completing the ceremony.

“In his 8th year, a council was held at London, in which Lanfranc

deposed Ailnod Abbot of Glastonbury.

“In his 11th year, a council was held at Gloucester, wherein, by the

King’s order, and with the consent of Lanfranc, Thomas Archbishop of

York consecrated William to the Bishoprick of Durham; and because

he could not be attended by the Scotch Bishops his suffragans, the

Bishops Wolstan, Osbern, Giso, and Robert assisted at this ceremony by

the command of Lanfranc.--At this time Lanfranc sent letters rich in

sacred lore to Bishop Donald in Ireland.

“In his 16th year Lanfranc consecrated Donatus, his monk at Canterbury,

to the bishoprick of Dublin, by the desire of the King, clergy, and

people of Ireland. This year a council was held at Gloucester, wherein

Lanfranc deposed Wulstcetel Abbot of Croyland. He consecrated Robert to

the bishoprick of Chester, and William to that of Elmham, in one day,

at Canterbury. At Winchester also he consecrated Maurice as Bishop of

London, who brought noble gifts to his mother church of Canterbury a

few days afterwards.

“In the 18th year of Lanfranc’s prelacy, on the death of King William

beyond sea, he acknowledged his son William, as he had done his father,

and consecrated and crowned him in St. Peter’s Church, which is in

the western part of London. The same year, and at his metropolitan

city of Canterbury, he examined and consecrated Godfrey as Bishop of

Chichester, Wido also as Abbot of St. Augustine’s and John as Bishop of

Wells. The next day Lanfranc, on his own authority, and taking with him

Odo Bishop of Baieux the King’s brother, who was then at Canterbury,

conducted the Abbot Wido to St. Augustine’s and commanded the Brothers

of the Order to receive him as their own Abbot and Pastor; but they,

with one accord, answered that they would neither submit to him nor

receive him. Thus Lanfranc came leading the Abbot, and when he found

that the Monks were obstinate in resistance, and that they would not

obey him, he commanded that all the refractory should come out one by

one. When therefore nearly all had left the monastery, Lanfranc and his

suite led in the Abbot with much pomp, placed him in the chair, and

delivered the church up to him. He also seized the Prior, Elfrin by

name, and as many others as he thought fit, and he put them forthwith

into claustral imprisonment at Canterbury; but he sent those who had

the greatest influence, and were the authors of this scandal, to the

castle to be confined there. After he had returned home having finished

all, he was informed that the monks who had left the monastery were

assembled, near St. Mildred’s church. Hereupon he sent to them, saying,

that if they would, they might return to the church before the 9th

hour, but that if they delayed longer, they would not be allowed free

entrance, but be treated as renegadoes. Having heard this message they

doubted whether to return or to remain, but at the hour of refection,

when they became anhungered, many repenting of their obstinacy sent to

Lanfranc and promised submission. These he treated with lenity, and

desired that they should return directly and confirm by oath their

profession of obedience to the aforesaid Abbot. Thus they returned and

swore faithfulness and obedience to the Abbot Wido, upon the relics of

St. Augustine. Lanfranc seized those who remained behind and placed

them in various monasteries of England, confining them till he brought

them to profess their submission. About the same time he seized one

of them named Ælfred, who had attempted to flee, and confined him

loaded with irons at Canterbury, together with some of his fellows: and

he exercised upon them the utmost severity of their order. But when

these monks were thought to be sufficiently humbled and had promised

amendment, Lanfranc taking pity on them, had them brought from the

several places whither he had banished them, and reconciled them to

their Abbot.

“The same year the dissentions were renewed, and the monks plotted the

death of their Abbot, but one of them, named Columban, being taken,

Lanfranc caused him to be brought to him. And as he stood there before

him, Lanfranc asked if he desired to murder his Abbot. And the monk

forthwith replied “Yes! if I could I would certainly kill him.” Then

Lanfranc commanded that he should be tied up naked by the gates of St.

Augustine’s and suffer flagellation before all the people, that his

cowl should then be torn off, and that he should be driven out of the

city. This order was executed, and thenceforth during Lanfranc’s life,

sedition was repressed by the dread of his severity.

“In the 19th year of his prelacy, died the venerable Archbishop

Lanfranc, and he was buried at his metropolitan see of Canterbury, of

which he had been possessed eighteen years, nine months, and two days.

His deeds, his buildings, alms, and labours, are only in part recounted

in the writing which is read on his anniversary, for they were very

numerous. After his death the monks of St. Augustine’s, openly

rebelling against their aforesaid Abbot Wido, stirred up the citizens

of Canterbury, who, with an armed force, attempted to slay him in his

house. But his family made resistance, and when many had been wounded,

and some killed on both sides, the Abbot with much difficulty escaped

unhurt from amongst them, and fled for refuge to the mother church of

Canterbury (Christ Church). On the report of this disturbance Walkelm

Bishop of Winchester, and Gundulf Bishop of Rochester, suffragans to

the see of Canterbury, with some noblemen sent by the King, hastened

to Canterbury, that they might take vengeance on the delinquents; and

when they had enquired into the causes of the sedition and had found

the monks unable to clear themselves, they condemned them to suffer

public punishment because they had transgressed openly. But the prior

and monks of Christ Church, moved with piety, pleaded against this

sentence, lest, if they were to receive their discipline before all

the people, they should henceforth be accounted infamous, and so their

profession and office come to be despised. Wherefore it was granted

on their intercession, that the punishment should take place in the

church, into which the populace should not be admitted, but those only

who were appointed to see it executed. And two monks of Christ Church,

Wido and Norman, were called in, and they inflicted the punishment at

the command of the Bishops. Then the rebellious monks were dispersed

into various monasteries of England; and 24 monks of Christ Church were

substituted in their place, together with the prior, named Anthony,

who had been sub-prior at Christ Church. The townsmen who entered the

Abbot’s hall in arms were seized, and those who were convicted of

having struck him lost their eyes.

“After the death of Lanfranc the see remained vacant four years, nine

months, and nine days, during which time it suffered much adversity. At

length, in the year of our Lord’s incarnation 1093 and on the 2d of the

nones of March, the Archbishoprick of Canterbury was given to Anselm

Abbot of Bec, a good and an upright man, of great learning, and amongst

the most noted of his time. He came to Canterbury on the 7th of the

calends of October, his earlier arrival having been prevented by many

sufficient causes, and he was consecrated on the 2d of the nones of

December.”

1071.

This year Earl Ædwin and Earl Morker withdrew themselves and wandered

through the woods and fields. Then Earl Morker took ship and went

to Ely; and Earl Ædwin was slain treacherously by his own men: and

Bishop Egelwin, and Siward Bearn, and many hundreds with them, came

into Ely. And when King William heard this, he called out a fleet and

army; and he surrounded that land, and he made a bridge and entered

in, his fleet lying off the coast. Then all the outlaws surrendered;

these were, Bishop Egelwin and Earl Morker, and all who were with them,

excepting only Hereward, and his followers whom he led off with great

valour. And the King seized their ships, and arms, and much treasure;

and he disposed of the men as he would; and he sent Bishop Egelwin to

Abingdon, where he died early in the winter.

1072.

This year King William led an army and a fleet against Scotland, and

he stationed the ships along the coast and crossed the Tweed with his

army; but he found nothing to reward his pains. And King Malcolm came

and treated with King William, and delivered hostages, and became his

liege-man; and King William returned home with his forces. And Bishop

Egelric died; he had been consecrated to the Archbishoprick of York, of

which he was unjustly deprived, and the see of Durham was given to him;

this he held as long as he would, and then resigned it and went to the

monastery of Peterborough, and there he spent 12 years. Then after King

William had conquered England, he removed Egelric from Peterborough,

and sent him to Westminster, and he died on the ides of October, and

he is buried in the Abbey, in the aisle of St. Nicholas.

1073.

This year King William carried an army of English and French over sea,

and conquered the province of Maine: and the English did great damage,

for they destroyed the vineyards and burned the towns, and they laid

waste that province, the whole of which submitted to William; and they

afterwards returned home again.

1074.

This year King William went over sea to Normandy; and Childe Edgar came

thither from Scotland, and the King received him and all his men into

the protection of the law, and he remained at Court, enjoying such

privileges as the King granted him.

1075.

This year King William gave the daughter of William Osbearn’s son in

marriage to Earl Ralph: the said Ralph was a Welchman on his mother’s

side, and his father was an Englishman named Ralph, who was born in

Norfolk. Then the King gave the Earldom of Norfolk and Suffolk to

his son, who brought his wife to Norwich, but there the bridal feast

was the bane of all: for Earl Roger and Earl Waltheof were there,

and Bishops and Abbots, and they took counsel to depose the King of

England. And this was soon reported to the King then in Normandy, and

it was told him withal that Earl Roger and Earl Ralph were the heads

of the conspiracy, and that they had brought over the Welch to their

side, and had sent eastward to Denmark for a fleet to assist them. And

Earl Roger departed to his earldom in the west, and gathered his people

together in rebellion against the King, but he was checked in his

attempt. And Earl Ralph also being in his earldom would have marched

forth with his people; but the garrisons of the castles of England,

and the inhabitants of the country came against him, and prevented his

effecting any thing, on which he took ship at Norwich: and his wife

remained in the castle, and held it till she had obtained terms, and

then she departed from England with all her adherents. And after this

the King came to England, and he took his kinsman Earl Roger and put

him in prison; he also seized Earl Waltheof. And soon afterwards 200

ships arrived from Denmark, commanded by two chieftains, Cnut the son

of Swegn, and Earl Hacon, but they durst not risk a battle with King

William, and they bore away for Flanders. And the lady Eadgith died at

Winchester seven nights before Christmas, and the King caused her to be

brought to Westminster with great pomp, and to be laid by her Lord King

Edward. And the King was at Westminster during Christmas, and there all

the Welchmen who had been at the bridal feast at Norwich were brought

to justice; some were blinded, and others banished. Thus were put down

the traitors to William.

1076.

This year Swægn King of Denmark died, and Harold his son succeeded to

the kingdom. And the King gave Westminster to Vithele, who had before

been Abbot of Bernay. Earl Waltheof was beheaded at Winchester, and his

body was carried to Croyland. And the King went over sea and led his

army into Britanny, and besieged the castle of Dol, and the Bretons

defended it till the King of France came up, and then William departed,

having lost both men and horses and much treasure.

1077.

This year a peace was made between the King of France and William King

of England, and it lasted but a little while. And this year, one night

before the Assumption of St. Mary, there was a more dreadful fire in

London than had ever happened since the town was built. And this year

Ægelwig Abbot of Evesham died on the 14th of the calends of March.

Bishop Hereman died also on the 10th of the calends of March.

1079.

This year, between the two feasts of St. Mary, King Malcolm invaded

England with a large army, and laid waste Northumberland as far as the

Tyne; and he slew many hundred men, and carried home much money and

treasure and many prisoners. And the same year King William fought

against his son Robert without the borders of Normandy near a castle

called Gerborneth (Gerberoy), and there King William was wounded, and

the horse on which he sat was killed, and his son William was also

wounded, and many men were slain.

1080.

This year Walcher Bishop of Durham was slain at a gemot, and a hundred

French and Flemings with him: Walcher himself was born in Lorrain. The

Northumbrians perpetrated this in the month of May.

1081.

This year the King led an army into Wales, and there he set free many

hundred persons.

1082.

This year the King arrested Bishop Odo. And there was a great famine

this year.

1083.

This year a quarrel arose in Glastonbury between the Abbot Thurstan

and his monks. It was first caused by the Abbot’s unwise conduct, in

that he treated his monks ill in many respects, but the monks were

lovingly-minded towards him, and begged him to govern them in right

and in kindness, and they would be faithful and obedient to him. But

the Abbot would none of this, and wrought them evil, and threatened

worse. One day the Abbot went into the Chapter-house, and harangued the

monks, and would have taught them amiss;[BH] and he sent for laymen,

and they came in all armed upon the monks in the Chapter-house. Then

the monks were greatly terrified and knew not what to do, and some ran

for refuge into the church and locked the doors from within; but the

others followed them, and would have dragged them forth when they durst

not come out. Rueful things happened there on that day, for the French

broke into the choir and threw darts towards the altar where the monks

were collected, and some of their servants went upon the upper floor

and shot down arrows towards the chancel, so that many arrows stuck in

the crucifix which stood above the altar, and the wretched monks lay

around the altar, and some crept under it, and they called earnestly

upon God and besought his mercy, since they could obtain no mercy at

the hands of men. What can we say, but that they shot without ceasing,

and others broke down the doors, and rushed in, and they slew some of

the monks and wounded many, so that the blood ran down from the altar

on the steps, and from the steps to the floor. Three were smitten to

death and eighteen wounded. And the same year Matilda the wife of King

William died on the day after the feast of All Saints. And the same

year after Christmas the King caused a great and heavy tax to be raised

throughout England, even 72 pence upon every hide of land.

1084.

This year Wulfwold Abbot of Chertsey died on the 13th of the calends of

May.

1085.