[A] Caligula.
[B] Caracalla.
[C] Valentinian had reigned in the west from the year 425, therefore
the Cotton MS. is more correct in saying, “Martian and Valentinian
_reigned_,” &c.
[D] The _Weald_ of Kent and Sussex; this forest formerly extended into
Hampshire.
[E] A Roman station in the forest of Andred, probably on the Sussex
coast; Somner supposes it to be Pevensey, Gibson a fort near Hastings.
[F] Generally supposed to be Chersley, Buckinghamshire; Gibson thinks
that the Britons must have retired further westward, and that therefore
this is not the place; but in 556 they are found at Banbury.
[G] Deira.
[H] Dalston, Cumberland, according to Gibson: Turner (Hist. of the
Anglo Saxons), supposes it to be Dawston, near Jedburgh.
[I] Now Peterborough.
[J] Uncertain--but the ditch Assendik is mentioned as the northern
boundary of Croyland by the charter of Ethelbald, and described by
Ingulphus as falling into the Welland.
[K] Bishop of Lindisfarn, expelled because he would not observe the
appointed time of Easter.
[L] Unknown. Bede gives Pægnalauh as the place of his death, and Smith
supposes this to be Pinkley, near Durham.
[M] Henry of Huntingdon says that the birds fought and killed each
other, and gives a similar story of his own time.
[N] Perhaps some place near Cosgrave, Northamptonshire, if Stretford be
Old Stratford (opposite to Stony Stratford).
[O] Pepin 2d Mayor.
[P] Uncertain, but Simeon of Durham says that this battle was fought
“_juxta Eldunum secus Melross_.”
[Q] This place uncertain--the final ee marks a Bishop’s residence, as
Hagulstades-ee, Hexham.
[R] Perhaps either Northallerton, or Aller-thorn, near Pocklington,
Yorkshire.
[S] Perhaps Kilcheth, on the southern border of Lancashire.
[T] Inhabitants of the country east of the Severn--the ancient diocese
of Worcester.
[U] He had been deposed by Egbryht.
[V] So it seems from a var. reading, “And Æthelstan his other (or 2d)
son succeeded to the kingdom of Kent, to Surrey, and to Sussex.” Henry
of Huntingdon and Roger de Hoveden also make Æthelstan the son of
Egbert, but Ethelwerd, William of Malmesbury, and Asser, speak of him
as the son of Æthelwulf.
[W] Supposed to be Aston Tyrrell, Berkshire; or Ashendon,
Buckinghamshire.
[X] Omitted in the Cotton MS. the elder Sidrac having been killed
before.
[Y] Turner supposes this to be Morton, Berkshire, “because the
Chronicle of Mailros, p. 144, places the battle at Reading, and
according to the map Morton Hundred joins Reading, and contains both
North Morton and South Morton.”--Hist. Anglo Saxons, vol. i. p. 240.
[Z] So Lye explains sumor-lida, and with most probability; but Gibson
translates it “_quies æstiva_;” and Henry of Huntingdon and Ethelwerd
turn it into “_æstivus exercitus_.”
[AA] The chief oath among the Northern nations. In Iceland, in the
time of heathenism, a silver or brazen ring or bracelet was kept on
the altars, and being sprinkled with the blood of sacrifices, it was
touched by those who took any solemn oath. For the same purpose it was
worn on the Judge’s arm during trials. See the Chrymogæa of Arngrim
Jonas, p. 62 and 76.
[AB] Over sea to Louvain, according to Ethelwerd.
[AC] To oppose a fleet of heathen Germans.
[AD] After the defeat and death of the King St. Edmund.--Simeon of
Durham.
[AE] It seems that Alfred had left part of his troops to watch the
Danes in Essex, and had gone himself in another direction.
[AF] Of Devonshire.--Henry of Huntingdon.
[AG] Torfæus, Hist. Norv. T. ii. p. 50, says, that the Danish Haulldur,
or Hold, was a Noble by birth, as distinguished from the Hersir, who
held an official rank.
By the laws of Athelstan, the Wergyld of a Hold and of a Heh-gerefa was
fixed at 4000 thrymsas--whilst that of a Bishop and of an Alderman was
8000 thrymsas.
Wilkin’s Leg. Ang. Sax. p. 71.
[AH] Gibson supposes this place to be somewhere in the tract of the New
Forest; possibly Ifford.
[AI] Eddesbury, in Cheshire; a place now called the Chamber in the
Forest.
[AJ] Probably Cherbury, on the borders of Shropshire--possibly Kirkby,
in Cheshire, or Monk’s Kirkby, Warwickshire, according to Dugdale.
[AK] Probably Wednesbury or Weedsbury, Staffordshire.
[AL] In this part of the Chronicle the Saxon word Burh, which I have
translated town, recurs perpetually; it would appear that the predatory
warfare, existing every where, had compelled the inhabitants of the
country to gather themselves into townships, for the sake of mutual
protection; these were probably surrounded by some species of inclosure
as a defence against sudden attacks. The erection of a stone wall seems
to be considered worthy of mention, as a work but rarely undertaken.
[AM] Turner, in a note, p. 365 of the 1st vol. of his Anglo-Saxon Hist.
gives the following passage from a manuscript of the Chronicle relating
to this year:--
“This year the Northumbrians revolted from their allegiance, and chose
Anlaf of Ireland for their King.”
[AN] Almost every writer differs in the position which he would assign
to this place.
[AO] “It was widely known how he ended his day, when Liofa stabbed him
at Pulcancyrca (Pucklechurch, in Gloucestershire.)” From another MS.
Turner, vol. i. p. 368.
[AP] Alfsin was the immediate successor of Odo, but he died of cold on
the Alps, in his journey to Rome for the pall.
[AQ] His plunder to the ships.
[AR] Enumerated an. 942.
[AS] Comprehending the “Five towns,” with York and Chester.
[AT] “Certain of his auxiliaries.”--Simeon of Durham.
[AU] Saresden, Oxon.
[AV] Ashdon, Assington, near Rochford.
[AW] Bishop of Lincoln.
[AX] This year Cnut was chosen King.--Var. read.
[AY] To observe respectively the laws of King Edgar.
Simeon of Durham.
[AZ] William of Malmesbury says that this Church was much out of repair
in his time.--Gough considers Assandun to be Assington, near Rochford.
[BA] Near Calmar or near Christianstadt.
Torfæus Hist. Norv. t. iii. p. 147.
[BB] Eadsige was not a Bishop, but the King’s Chaplain.
[BC] From Normandy.
[BD] In Normandy: between William, assisted by Henry of France, and the
Barons who refused to acknowledge his right to the succession.
[BE] Of Dorchester, Oxon.
[BF] In Normandy: between the forces of William, and those of Henry of
France, in which the latter were totally routed.
[BG] S. Wales.
[BH] He would have substituted the chant of William of Fescamp for that
of Gregory.
Florence of Worcester.
[BI] A Church at Odensee, dedicated to St. Alban, whose relics had been
brought from England by this Canute.
[BJ] Carlisle?
[BK] A payment to the superior Lord for protection.
* * * * *