The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

Originally compiled on the orders of King Alfred the Great,

approximately A.D. 890, and subsequently maintained and added to

by generations of anonymous scribes until the middle of the 12th

Century. The original language is Anglo-Saxon (Old English), but

later entries are essentially Middle English in tone.

Translation by Rev. James Ingram (London, 1823), with additional

readings from the translation of Dr. J.A. Giles (London, 1847).

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PREPARER'S NOTE:

At present there are nine known versions or fragments of the

"Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" in existence, all of which vary

(sometimes greatly) in content and quality. The translation that

follows is not a translation of any one Chronicle; rather, it is

a collation of readings from many different versions.

The nine known "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" MS. are the following:

A-Prime The Parker Chronicle (Corpus Christi College,

Cambridge, MS. 173)

A Cottonian Fragment (British Museum, Cotton MS. Otho B

xi, 2)

B The Abingdon Chronicle I (British Museum, Cotton MS.

Tiberius A vi.)

C The Abingdon Chronicle II (British Museum, Cotton MS.

Tiberius B i.)

D The Worcester Chronicle (British Museum, Cotton MS.

Tiberius B iv.)

E The Laud (or "Peterborough") Chronicle (Bodleian, MS.

Laud 636)

F The Bilingual Canterbury Epitome (British Museum,

Cotton MS. Domitian A viii.) NOTE: Entries in English

and Latin.

H Cottonian Fragment (British Museum, Cotton MS. Domitian

A ix.)

I An Easter Table Chronicle (British Museum, Cotton MS.

Caligula A xv.)

This electronic edition contains primarily the translation of

Rev. James Ingram, as published in the Everyman edition of this

text. Excerpts from the translation of Dr. J.A. Giles were

included as an appendix in the Everyman edition; the preparer of

this edition has elected to collate these entries into the main

text of the translation. Where these collations have occurred I

have marked the entry with a double parenthesis (()).

WARNING:

While I have elected to include the footnotes of Rev. Ingram in

this edition, please note that they should be used with extreme

care. In many cases the views expressed by Rev. Ingram are

severally out of date, having been superseded by almost 175 years

of active scholarship. At best, these notes will provide a

starting point for inquiry. They should not, however, be treated

as absolute.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY:

ORIGINAL TEXT --

Classen, E. and Harmer, F.E. (eds.): "An Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

from British Museum, Cotton MS. Tiberius B iv." (Manchester,

1926)

Flower, Robin and Smith, Hugh (eds.): "The Peterborough Chronicle

and Laws" (Early English Text Society, Original Series 208,

Oxford, 1941).

Taylor, S. (ed.): "The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: MS B" <aka "The

Abingdon Chronicle I"> (Cambridge, 1983)

OTHER TRANSLATIONS --

Garmonsway, G.N.: "The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" (Everyman Press,

London, 1953, 1972). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Contains side-by-side

translations of all nine known texts.

RECOMMENDED READING --

Bede: "A History of the English Church and People" <aka "The

Ecclesiastical History">, translated by Leo Sherley-Price

(Penguin Classics, London, 1955, 1968).

Poole, A.L.: "Domesday Book to Magna Carta" (Oxford University

Press, Oxford, 1951, 1953)

Stenton, Sir Frank W.: "Anglo-Saxon England" (Oxford University

Press, Oxford, 1943, 1947, 1971)

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ORIGINAL INTRODUCTION TO INGRAM'S EDITION [1823]

England may boast of two substantial monuments of its early

history; to either of which it would not be easy to find a

parallel in any nation, ancient or modern. These are, the Record

of Doomsday (1) and the "Saxon Chronicle" (2). The former, which

is little more than a statistical survey, but contains the most

authentic information relative to the descent of property and the

comparative importance of the different parts of the kingdom at a

very interesting period, the wisdom and liberality of the British

Parliament long since deemed worthy of being printed (3) among

the Public Records, by Commissioners appointed for that purpose.

The other work, though not treated with absolute neglect, has not

received that degree of attention which every person who feels an

interest in the events and transactions of former times would

naturally expect. In the first place, it has never been printed

entire, from a collation of all the MSS. But of the extent of

the two former editions, compared with the present, the reader

may form some idea, when he is told that Professor Wheloc's

"Chronologia Anglo-Saxonica", which was the first attempt (4) of

the kind, published at Cambridge in 1644, is comprised in less

than 62 folio pages, exclusive of the Latin appendix. The

improved edition by Edmund Gibson, afterwards Bishop of London,

printed at Oxford in 1692, exhibits nearly four times the

quantity of the former; but is very far from being the entire (5)

chronicle, as the editor considered it. The text of the present

edition, it was found, could not be compressed within a shorter

compass than 374 pages, though the editor has suppressed many

notes and illustrations, which may be thought necessary to the

general reader. Some variations in the MSS. may also still

remain unnoticed; partly because they were considered of little

importance, and partly from an apprehension, lest the commentary,

as it sometimes happens, should seem an unwieldy burthen, rather

than a necessary appendage, to the text. Indeed, till the editor

had made some progress in the work, he could not have imagined

that so many original and authentic materials of our history

still remained unpublished.

To those who are unacquainted with this monument of our national

antiquities, two questions appear requisite to be answered: --

"What does it contain?" and, "By whom was it written?" The

indulgence of the critical antiquary is solicited, whilst we

endeavour to answer, in some degree, each of these questions.

To the first question we answer, that the "Saxon Chronicle"

contains the original and authentic testimony of contemporary

writers to the most important transactions of our forefathers,

both by sea and land, from their first arrival in this country to

the year 1154. Were we to descend to particulars, it would

require a volume to discuss the great variety of subjects which

it embraces. Suffice it to say, that every reader will here find

many interesting facts relative to our architecture, our

agriculture, our coinage, our commerce, our naval and military

glory, our laws, our liberty, and our religion. In this edition,

also, will be found numerous specimens of Saxon poetry, never

before printed, which might form the ground-work of an

introductory volume to Warton's elaborate annals of English

Poetry. Philosophically considered, this ancient record is the

second great phenomenon in the history of mankind. For, if we

except the sacred annals of the Jews, contained in the several

books of the Old Testament, there is no other work extant,

ancient or modern, which exhibits at one view a regular and

chronological panorama of a PEOPLE, described in rapid succession

by different writers, through so many ages, in their own

vernacular LANGUAGE. Hence it may safely be considered, nor only

as the primaeval source from which all subsequent historians of

English affairs have principally derived their materials, and

consequently the criterion by which they are to be judged, but

also as the faithful depository of our national idiom; affording,

at the same time, to the scientific investigator of the human

mind a very interesting and extraordinary example of the changes

incident to a language, as well as to a nation, in its progress

from rudeness to refinement.

But that the reader may more clearly see how much we are indebted

to the "Saxon Chronicle", it will be necessary to examine what is

contained in other sources of our history, prior to the accession

of Henry II., the period wherein this invaluable record

terminates.

The most ancient historian of our own island, whose work has been

preserved, is Gildas, who flourished in the latter part of the

sixth century. British antiquaries of the present day will

doubtless forgive me, if I leave in their original obscurity the

prophecies of Merlin, and the exploits of King Arthur, with all

the Knights of the Round Table, as scarcely coming within the

verge of history. Notwithstanding, also, the authority of Bale,

and of the writers whom he follows, I cannot persuade myself to

rank Joseph of Arimathea, Arviragus, and Bonduca, or even the

Emperor Constantine himself, among the illustrious writers of

Great Britain. I begin, therefore, with Gildas; because, though

he did not compile a regular history of the island, he has left

us, amidst a cumbrous mass of pompous rhapsody and querulous

declamation some curious descriptions of the character and

manners of the inhabitants; not only the Britons and Saxons, but

the Picts and Scots (6). There are also some parts of his work,

almost literally transcribed by Bede, which confirm the brief

statements of the "Saxon Chronicle" (7). But there is,

throughout, such a want of precision and simplicity, such a

barrenness of facts amidst a multiplicity of words, such a

scantiness of names of places and persons, of dates, and other

circumstances, that we are obliged to have recourse to the Saxon

Annals, or to Venerable Bede, to supply the absence of those two

great lights of history -- Chronology and Topography.

The next historian worth notice here is Nennius, who is supposed

to have flourished in the seventh century: but the work ascribed

to him is so full of interpolations and corruptions, introduced

by his transcribers, and particularly by a simpleton who is

called Samuel, or his master Beulanus, or both, who appear to

have lived in the ninth century, that it is difficult to say how

much of this motley production is original and authentic. Be

that as it may, the writer of the copy printed by Gale bears

ample testimony to the "Saxon Chronicle", and says expressly,

that he compiled his history partly from the records of the Scots

and Saxons (8). At the end is a confused but very curious

appendix, containing that very genealogy, with some brief notices

of Saxon affairs, which the fastidiousness of Beulanus, or of his

amanuensis, the aforesaid Samuel, would not allow him to

transcribe. This writer, although he professes to be the first

historiographer (9) of the Britons, has sometimes repeated the

very words of Gildas (10); whose name is even prefixed to some

copies of the work. It is a puerile composition, without

judgment, selection, or method (11); filled with legendary tales

of Trojan antiquity, of magical delusion, and of the miraculous

exploits of St. Germain and St. Patrick: not to mention those of

the valiant Arthur, who is said to have felled to the ground in

one day, single-handed, eight hundred and forty Saxons! It is

remarkable, that this taste for the marvelous, which does not

seem to be adapted to the sober sense of Englishmen, was

afterwards revived in all its glory by Geoffrey of Monmouth in

the Norman age of credulity and romance.

We come now to a more cheering prospect; and behold a steady

light reflected on the "Saxon Chronicle" by the "Ecclesiastical

History" of Bede; a writer who, without the intervention of any

legendary tale, truly deserves the title of Venerable (12). With

a store of classical learning not very common in that age, and

with a simplicity of language seldom found in monastic Latinity,

he has moulded into something like a regular form the scattered

fragments of Roman, British, Scottish, and Saxon history. His

work, indeed. is professedly ecclesiastical; but, when we

consider the prominent station which the Church had at this time

assumed in England, we need not be surprised if we find therein

the same intermixture of civil, military, and ecclesiastical

affairs, which forms so remarkable a feature in the "Saxon

Chronicle". Hence Gibson concludes, that many passages of the

latter description were derived from the work of Bede (13). He

thinks the same of the description of Britain, the notices of the

Roman emperors, and the detail of the first arrival of the

Saxons. But, it may be observed, those passages to which he

alludes are not to be found in the earlier MSS. The description

of Britain, which forms the introduction, and refers us to a

period antecedent to the invasion of Julius Caesar; appears only

in three copies of the "Chronicle"; two of which are of so late a

date as the Norman Conquest, and both derived from the same

source. Whatever relates to the succession of the Roman emperors

was so universally known, that it must be considered as common

property: and so short was the interval between the departure of

the Romans and the arrival of the Saxons, that the latter must

have preserved amongst them sufficient memorials and traditions

to connect their own history with that of their predecessors.

Like all rude nations, they were particularly attentive to

genealogies; and these, together with the succession of their

kings, their battles, and their conquests, must be derived

originally from the Saxons themselves. and not from Gildas, or

Nennius, or Bede (14). Gibson himself was so convinced of this,

that he afterwards attributes to the "Saxon Chronicle" all the

knowledge we have of those early times (15). Moreover, we might

ask, if our whole dependence had been centered in Bede, what

would have become of us after his death? (16) Malmsbury indeed

asserts, with some degree of vanity, that you will not easily

find a Latin historian of English affairs between Bede and

himself (17); and in the fulness of self-complacency professes

his determination, "to season with Roman salt the barbarisms of

his native tongue!" He affects great contempt for Ethelwerd,

whose work will be considered hereafter; and he well knew how

unacceptable any praise of the "Saxon Annals" would be to the

Normans, with whom he was connected (18). He thinks it necessary

to give his reasons, on one occasion, for inserting from these

very "Annals" what he did not find in Bede; though it is obvious,

that the best part of his materials, almost to his own times, is

derived from the same source.

The object of Bishop Asser, the biographer of Alfred, who comes

next in order, was to deliver to posterity a complete memorial of

that sovereign, and of the transactions of his reign. To him

alone are we indebted for the detail of many interesting

circumstances in the life and character of his royal patron (19);

but most of the public transactions will be found in the pages of

the "Saxon Chronicle": some passages of which he appears to have

translated so literally, that the modern version of Gibson does

not more closely represent the original. In the editions of

Parker, Camden, and Wise, the last notice of any public event

refers to the year 887. The interpolated copy of Gale, called by

some Pseudo-Asserius, and by others the Chronicle of St. Neot's,

is extended to the year 914 (20). Much difference of opinion

exists respecting this work; into the discussion of which it is

not our present purpose to enter. One thing is remarkable: it

contains the vision of Drihtelm, copied from Bede, and that of

Charles King of the Franks, which Malmsbury thought it worth

while to repeat in his "History of the Kings of England". What

Gale observes concerning the "fidelity" with which these annals

of Asser are copied by Marianus, is easily explained. They both

translated from the "Saxon Chronicle", as did also Florence of

Worcester, who interpolated Marianus; of whom we shall speak

hereafter.

But the most faithful and extraordinary follower of the "Saxon

Annals" is Ethelwerd; who seems to have disregarded almost all

other sources of information. One great error, however, he

committed; for which Malmsbury does nor spare him. Despairing of

the reputation of classical learning, if he had followed the

simplicity of the Saxon original, he fell into a sort of measured

and inverted prose, peculiar to himself; which, being at first

sufficiently obscure, is sometimes rendered almost unintelligible

by the incorrect manner in which it has been printed. His

authority, nevertheless, in an historical point of view, is very

respectable. Being one of the few writers untainted by monastic

prejudice (21), he does not travel out of his way to indulge in

legendary tales and romantic visions. Critically considered, his

work is the best commentary on the "Saxon Chronicle" to the year

977; at which period one of the MSS. which he seems to have

followed, terminates. Brevity and compression seem to have been

his aim, because the compilation was intended to be sent abroad

for the instruction of a female relative of high rank in Germany

(22), at her request. But there are, nevertheless, some

circumstances recorded which are not to be found elsewhere; so

that a reference to this epitome of Saxon history will be

sometimes useful in illustrating the early part of the

"Chronicle"; though Gibson, I know not on what account, has

scarcely once quoted it.

During the sanguinary conflicts of the eleventh century, which

ended first in the temporary triumph of the Danes, and afterwards

in the total subjugation of the country by the Normans, literary

pursuits, as might be expected, were so much neglected, that

scarcely a Latin writer is to be found: but the "Saxon Chronicle"

has preserved a regular and minute detail of occurrences, as they

passed along, of which subsequent historians were glad to avail

themselves. For nearly a century after the Conquest, the Saxon

annalists appear to have been chiefly eye-witnesses of the

transactions which they relate (23). The policy of the Conqueror

led him by degrees to employ Saxons as well as Normans: and

William II. found them the most faithful of his subjects: but

such an influx of foreigners naturally corrupted the ancient

language; till at length, after many foreign and domestic wars,

tranquillity being restored on the accession of Henry II.,

literature revived; a taste for composition increased; and the

compilation of Latin histories of English and foreign affairs,

blended and diversified with the fabled romance and legendary

tale, became the ordinary path to distinction. It is remarkable,

that when the "Saxon Chronicle" ends, Geoffrey of Monmouth

begins. Almost every great monastery about this time had its

historian: but some still adhered to the ancient method.

Florence of Worcester, an interpolator of Marianus, as we before

observed, closely follows Bede, Asser, and the "Saxon Chronicle"

(24). The same may be observed of the annals of Gisburne, of

Margan, of Meiros, of Waverley, etc.; some of which are anonymous

compilations, whilst others have the name of an author, or rather

transcriber; for very few aspired to the character of authors or

original historians. Thomas Wikes, a canon of Oseney, who

compiled a Latin chronicle of English affairs from the Conquest

to the year 1304, tells us expressly, that he did this, not

because he could add much to the histories of Bede, William of

Newburgh, and Matthew Paris, but "propter minores, quibus non

suppetit copia librorum." (25) Before the invention of printing,

it was necessary that numerous copies of historical works should

be transcribed, for the instruction of those who had not access

to libraries. The transcribers frequently added something of

their own, and abridged or omitted what they thought less

interesting. Hence the endless variety of interpolators and

deflorators of English history. William of Malmsbury, indeed,

deserves to be selected from all his competitors for the

superiority of his genius; but he is occasionally inaccurate, and

negligent of dates and other minor circumstances; insomuch that

his modern translator has corrected some mistakes, and supplied

the deficiencies in his chronology, by a reference to the "Saxon

Chronicle". Henry of Huntingdon, when he is not transcribing

Bede, or translating the "Saxon Annals", may be placed on the

same shelf with Geoffrey of Monmouth.

As I have now brought the reader to the period when our

"Chronicle" terminates, I shall dismiss without much ceremony the

succeeding writers, who have partly borrowed from this source;

Simon of Durham, who transcribes Florence of Worcester, the two

priors of Hexham, Gervase, Hoveden, Bromton, Stubbes, the two

Matthews, of Paris and Westminster, and many others, considering

that sufficient has been said to convince those who may not have

leisure or opportunity to examine the matter themselves, that

however numerous are the Latin historians of English affairs,

almost everything original and authentic, and essentially

conducive to a correct knowledge of our general history, to the

period above mentioned, may be traced to the "Saxon Annals".

It is now time to examine, who were probably the writers of these

"Annals". I say probably, because we have very little more than

rational conjecture to guide us.

The period antecedent to the times of Bede, except where passages

were afterwards inserted, was perhaps little else, originally,

than a kind of chronological table of events, with a few

genealogies, and notices of the death and succession of kings and

other distinguished personages. But it is evident from the

preface of Bede and from many passages in his work, that he

received considerable assistance from Saxon bishops, abbots, and

others; who not only communicated certain traditionary facts

"viva voce", but also transmitted to him many written documents.

These, therefore, must have been the early chronicles of Wessex,

of Kent, and of the other provinces of the Heptarchy; which

formed together the ground-work of his history. With greater

honesty than most of his followers, he has given us the names of

those learned persons who assisted him with this local

information. The first is Alcuinus or Albinus, an abbot of

Canterbury, at whose instigation he undertook the work; who sent

by Nothelm, afterwards archbishop of that province, a full

account of all ecclesiastical transactions in Kent, and in the

contiguous districts, from the first conversion of the Saxons.

From the same source he partly derived his information respecting

the provinces of Essex, Wessex, East Anglia, and Northumbria.

Bishop Daniel communicated to him by letter many particulars

concerning Wessex, Sussex, and the Isle of Wight. He

acknowledges assistance more than once "ex scriptis priorum"; and

there is every reason to believe that some of these preceding

records were the "Anglo-Saxon Annals"; for we have already seen

that such records were in existence before the age of Nennius.

In proof of this we may observe, that even the phraseology

sometimes partakes more of the Saxon idiom than the Latin. If,

therefore, it be admitted, as there is every reason to conclude

from the foregoing remarks, that certain succinct and

chronological arrangements of historical facts had taken place in

several provinces of the Heptarchy before the time of Bede, let

us inquire by whom they were likely to have been made.

In the province of Kent, the first person on record, who is

celebrated for his learning, is Tobias, the ninth bishop of

Rochester, who succeeded to that see in 693. He is noticed by

Bede as not only furnished with an ample store of Greek and Latin

literature, but skilled also in the Saxon language and erudition

(26). It is probable, therefore, that he left some proofs of

this attention to his native language and as he died within a few

years of Bede, the latter would naturally avail himself of his

labours. It is worthy also of remark, that Bertwald, who

succeeded to the illustrious Theodore of Tarsus in 690, was the

first English or Saxon archbishop of Canterbury. From this

period, consequently, we may date that cultivation of the

vernacular tongue which would lead to the composition of brief

chronicles (27), and other vehicles of instruction, necessary for

the improvement of a rude and illiterate people. The first

chronicles were, perhaps, those of Kent or Wessex; which seem to

have been regularly continued, at intervals. by the archbishops

of Canterbury, or by their direction (28), at least as far as the

year 1001, or by even 1070; for the Benet MS., which some call

the Plegmund MS., ends in the latter year; the rest being in

Latin. From internal evidence indeed, of an indirect nature,

there is great reason to presume, that Archbishop Plegmund

transcribed or superintended this very copy of the "Saxon Annals"

to the year 891 (29); the year in which he came to the see;

inserting, both before and after this date, to the time of his

death in 923, such additional materials as he was well qualified

to furnish from his high station and learning, and the

confidential intercourse which he enjoyed in the court of King

Alfred. The total omission of his own name, except by another

hand, affords indirect evidence of some importance in support of

this conjecture. Whether King Alfred himself was the author of a

distinct and separate chronicle of Wessex, cannot now be

determined. That he furnished additional supplies of historical

matter to the older chronicles is, I conceive, sufficiently

obvious to every reader who will take the trouble of examining

the subject. The argument of Dr. Beeke, the present Dean of

Bristol, in an obliging letter to the editor on this subject, is

not without its force; -- that it is extremely improbable, when

we consider the number and variety of King Alfred's works, that

he should have neglected the history, of his own country.

Besides a genealogy of the kings of Wessex from Cerdic to his own

time, which seems never to have been incorporated with any MS. of

the "Saxon Chronicle", though prefixed or annexed to several, he

undoubtedly preserved many traditionary facts; with a full and

circumstantial detail of his own operations, as well as those of

his father, brother, and other members of his family; which

scarcely any other person than himself could have supplied. To

doubt this would be as incredulous a thing as to deny that

Xenophon wrote his "Anabasis", or Caesar his "Commentaries".

From the time of Alfred and Plegmund to a few years after the

Norman Conquest, these chronicles seem to have been continued by

different hands, under the auspices of such men as Archbishops

Dunstan, Aelfric, and others, whose characters have been much

misrepresented by ignorance and scepticism on the one hand; as

well as by mistaken zeal and devotion on the other. The indirect

evidence respecting Dunstan and Aelfric is as curious as that

concerning Plegmund; but the discussion of it would lead us into

a wide and barren field of investigation; nor is this the place

to refute the errors of Hickes, Cave, and Wharton, already

noticed by Wanley in his preface. The chronicles of Abingdon, of

Worcester, of Peterborough, and others, are continued in the same

manner by different hands; partly, though not exclusively, by

monks of those monasteries, who very naturally inserted many

particulars relating to their own local interests and concerns;

which, so far from invalidating the general history, render it

more interesting and valuable. It would be a vain and frivolous

attempt ascribe these latter compilations to particular persons

(31), where there were evidently so many contributors; but that

they were successively furnished by contemporary writers, many of

whom were eye-witnesses of the events and transactions which they

relate, there is abundance of internal evidence to convince us.

Many instances of this the editor had taken some pains to

collect, in order to lay them before the reader in the preface;

but they are so numerous that the subject would necessarily

become tedious; and therefore every reader must be left to find

them for himself. They will amply repay him for his trouble, if

he takes any interest in the early history of England, or in the

general construction of authentic history of any kind. He will

see plagarisms without end in the Latin histories, and will be in

no danger of falling into the errors of Gale and others; not to

mention those of our historians who were not professed

antiquaries, who mistook that for original and authentic

testimony which was only translated. It is remarkable that the

"Saxon Chronicle" gradually expires with the Saxon language,

almost melted into modern English, in the year 1154. From this

period almost to the Reformation, whatever knowledge we have of

the affairs of England has been originally derived either from

the semi-barbarous Latin of our own countrymen, or from the

French chronicles of Froissart and others.

The revival of good taste and of good sense, and of the good old

custom adopted by most nations of the civilised world -- that of

writing their own history in their own language -- was happily

exemplified at length in the laborious works of our English

chroniclers and historians.

Many have since followed in the same track; and the importance

of the whole body of English History has attracted and employed

the imagination of Milton, the philosophy of Hume, the simplicity

of Goldsmith, the industry of Henry, the research of Turner, and

the patience of Lingard. The pages of these writers, however,

accurate and luminous as they generally are, as well as those of

Brady, Tyrrell, Carte, Rapin, and others, not to mention those in

black letter, still require correction from the "Saxon

Chronicle"; without which no person, however learned, can possess

anything beyond a superficial acquaintance with the elements of

English History, and of the British Constitution.

Some remarks may here be requisite on the CHRONOLOGY of the

"Saxon Chronicle". In the early part of it (32) the reader will

observe a reference to the grand epoch of the creation of the

world. So also in Ethelwerd, who closely follows the "Saxon

Annals". It is allowed by all, that considerable difficulty has

occurred in fixing the true epoch of Christ's nativity (33),

because the Christian aera was not used at all till about the

year 532 (34), when it was introduced by Dionysius Exiguus; whose

code of canon law, joined afterwards with the decretals of the

popes, became as much the standard of authority in ecclesiastical

matters as the pandects of Justinian among civilians. But it

does not appear that in the Saxon mode of computation this system

of chronology was implicitly followed. We mention this

circumstance, however, not with a view of settling the point of

difference, which would not be easy, but merely to account for

those variations observable m different MSS.; which arose, not

only from the common mistakes or inadvertencies of transcribers,

but from the liberty which the original writers themselves

sometimes assumed in this country, of computing the current year

according to their own ephemeral or local custom. Some began

with the Incarnation or Nativity of Christ; some with the

Circumcision, which accords with the solar year of the Romans as

now restored; whilst others commenced with the Annunciation; a

custom which became very prevalent in honour of the Virgin Mary,

and was not formally abolished here till the year 1752; when the

Gregorian calendar, commonly called the New Style, was

substituted by Act of Parliament for the Dionysian. This

diversity of computation would alone occasion some confusion; but

in addition to this, the INDICTION, or cycle of fifteen years,

which is mentioned in the latter part of the "Saxon Chronicle",

was carried back three years before the vulgar aera, and

commenced in different places at four different periods of the

year! But it is very remarkable that, whatever was the

commencement of the year in the early part of the "Saxon

Chronicle", in the latter part the year invariably opens with

Midwinter-day or the Nativity. Gervase of Canterbury, whose

Latin chronicle ends in 1199, the aera of "legal" memory, had

formed a design, as he tells us, of regulating his chronology by

the Annunciation; but from an honest fear of falsifying dates he

abandoned his first intention, and acquiesced in the practice of

his predecessors; who for the most part, he says, began the new

year with the Nativity (35).

Having said thus much in illustration of the work itself, we must

necessarily be brief in our account of the present edition. It

was contemplated many years since, amidst a constant succession

of other occupations; but nothing was then projected beyond a

reprint of Gibson, substituting an English translation for the

Latin. The indulgence of the Saxon scholar is therefore

requested, if we have in the early part of the chronicle too

faithfully followed the received text. By some readers no

apology of this kind will be deemed necessary; but something may

be expected in extenuation of the delay which has retarded the

publication. The causes of that delay must be chiefly sought in

the nature of the work itself. New types were to be cast;

compositors to be instructed in a department entirely new to

them; manuscripts to be compared, collated, transcribed; the text

to be revised throughout; various readings of great intricacy to

be carefully presented, with considerable additions from

unpublished sources; for, however unimportant some may at first

sight appear, the most trivial may be of use. With such and

other difficulties before him, the editor has, nevertheless, been

blessed with health and leisure sufficient to overcome them; and

he may now say with Gervase the monk at the end of his first

chronicle,

"Finito libro reddatur gratia Christo." (36)

Of the translation it is enough to observe, that it is made as

literal as possible, with a view of rendering the original easy

to those who are at present unacquainted with the Saxon language.

By this method also the connection between the ancient and modern

language will be more obvious. The same method has been adopted

in an unpublished translation of Gibson's "Chronicle" by the late

Mr. Cough, now in the Bodleian Library. But the honour of having

printed the first literal version of the "Saxon Annals" was

reserved for a learned LADY, the Elstob of her age (37); whose

Work was finished in the year 1819. These translations, however,

do not interfere with that in the present edition; because they

contain nothing but what is found in the printed texts, and are

neither accompanied with the original, nor with any collation of

MSS.

ENDNOTES:

(1) Whatever was the origin of this title, by which it is now

distinguished, in an appendix to the work itself it is

called "Liber de Wintonia," or "The Winchester-Book," from

its first place of custody.

(2) This title is retained, in compliance with custom, though it

is a collection of chronicles, rather than one uniform work,

as the received appellation seems to imply.

(3) In two volumes folio, with the following title: "Domesday-

Book, seu Liber Censualis Willelmi Primi Regis Angliae,

inter Archlyos Regni in Domo Capitulari Westmonasterii

asservatus: jubente rege augustissimo Georgio Tertio praelo

mandatus typis MDCCLXXXIII"

(4) Gerard Langbaine had projected such a work, and had made

considerable progress in the collation of MSS., when he

found himself anticipated by Wheloc.

(5) "Nunc primum integrum edidit" is Gibson's expression in the

title-page. He considers Wheloc's MSS. as fragments, rather

than entire chronicles: "quod integrum nacti jam discimus."

These MSS., however, were of the first authority, and not

less entire, as far as they went, than his own favourite

"Laud". But the candid critic will make allowance for the

zeal of a young Bachelor of Queen's, who, it must be

remembered, had scarcely attained the age of twenty-three

when this extraordinary work was produced.

(6) The reader is forcibly reminded of the national dress of the

Highlanders in the following singular passage: "furciferos

magis vultus pilis, quam corporum pudenda, pudendisque

proxima, vestibus tegentes."

(7) See particularly capp. xxiii. and xxvi. The work which

follows, called the "Epistle of Gildas", is little more than

a cento of quotations from the Old and New Testament.

(8) "De historiis Scotorum Saxonumque, licet inimicorum," etc.

"Hist. Brit. ap." Gale, XV. Script. p. 93. See also p. 94

of the same work; where the writer notices the absence of

all written memorials among the Britons, and attributes it

to the frequent recurrence of war and pestilence. A new

edition has been prepared from a Vatican MS. with a

translation and notes by the Rev. W. Gunn, and published by

J. and A. Arch.

(9) "Malo me historiographum quam neminem," etc.

(10) He considered his work, perhaps, as a lamentation of

declamation, rather than a history. But Bede dignifies him

with the title of "historicus," though he writes "fiebili

sermone."

(11) But it is probable that the work is come down to us in a

garbled and imperfect state.

(12) There is an absurd story of a monk, who in vain attempting

to write his epitaph, fell asleep, leaving it thus: "Hac

sunt in fossa Bedae. ossa:" but, when he awoke, to his great

surprise and satisfaction he found the long-sought epithet

supplied by an angelic hand, the whole line standing thus:

"Hac sunt in fossa Bedae venerabilis ossa."

(13) See the preface to his edition of the "Saxon Chronicle".

(14) This will be proved more fully when we come to speak of the

writers of the "Saxon Chronicle".

(15) Preface, "ubi supra".

(16) He died A.D. 734, according to our chronicle; but some place

his death to the following year.

(17) This circumstance alone proves the value of the "Saxon

Chronicle". In the "Edinburgh Chronicle" of St. Cross,

printed by H. Wharton, there is a chasm from the death of

Bede to the year 1065; a period of 330 years.

(18) The cold and reluctant manner in which he mentions the

"Saxon Annals", to which he was so much indebted, can only

be ascribed to this cause in him, as well as in the other

Latin historians. See his prologue to the first book, "De

Gestis Regum," etc.

(19) If there are additional anecdotes in the Chronicle of St.

Neot's, which is supposed to have been so called by Leland

because he found the MS. there, it must be remembered that

this work is considered an interpolated Asser.

(20) The death of Asser himself is recorded in the year 909; but

this is no more a proof that the whole work is spurious,

than the character and burial of Moses, described in the

latter part of the book of "Deuteronomy", would go to prove

that the Pentateuch was not written by him. See Bishop

Watson's "Apology for the Bible".

(21) Malmsbury calls him "noble and magnificent," with reference

to his rank; for he was descended from King Alfred: but he

forgets his peculiar praise -- that of being the only Latin

historian for two centuries; though, like Xenophon, Caesar,

and Alfred, he wielded the sword as much as the pen.

(22) This was no less a personage than Matilda, the daughter of

Otho the Great, Emperor of Germany, by his first Empress

Eadgitha or Editha; who is mentioned in the "Saxon

Chronicle", A.D. 925, though not by name, as given to Otho

by her brother, King Athelstan. Ethelwerd adds, in his

epistle to Matilda, that Athelstan sent two sisters, in

order that the emperor might take his choice; and that he

preferred the mother of Matilda.

(23) See particularly the character of William I. p. 294, written

by one who was in his court. The compiler of the "Waverley

Annals" we find literally translating it more than a century

afterwards: -- "nos dicemus, qui eum vidimus, et in curia

ejus aliquando fuimus," etc. -- Gale, ii. 134.

(24) His work, which is very faithfully and diligently compiled,

ends in the year 1117; but it is continued by another hand

to the imprisonment of King Stephen.

(25) "Chron. ap." Gale, ii. 21.

(26) "Virum Latina, Graec, et Saxonica lingua atque eruditione

multipliciter instructum." -- Bede, "Ecclesiastical

History", v. 8. "Chron. S. Crucis Edinb. ap.", Wharton, i.

157.

(27) The materials, however, though not regularly arranged, must

be traced to a much higher source.

(28) Josselyn collated two Kentish MSS. of the first authority;

one of which he calls the History or Chronicle of St.

Augustine's, the other that of Christ Church, Canterbury.

The former was perhaps the one marked in our series "C.T."A

VI.; the latter the Benet or Plegmund MS.

(29) Wanley observes, that the Benet MS. is written in one and

the same hand to this year, and in hands equally ancient to

the year 924; after which it is continued in different hands

to the end. Vid. "Cat." p. 130.

(30) Florence of Worcester, in ascertaining the succession of the

kings of Wessex, refers expressly to the "Dicta Aelfredi".

Ethelwerd had before acknowledged that he reported many

things -- "sicut docuere parentes;" and then he immediately

adds, "Scilicet Aelfred rex Athulfi regis filius; ex quo nos

originem trahimus." Vid. Prol.

(31) Hickes supposed the Laud or Peterborough Chronicle to have

been compiled by Hugo Candidus (Albus, or White), or some

other monk of that house.

(32) See A.D. xxxiii., the aera of Christ's crucifixion, p. 23,

and the notes below.

(33) See Playfair's "System of Chronology", p. 49.

(34) Playfair says 527: but I follow Bede, Florence of Worcester,

and others, who affirm that the great paschal cycle of

Dionysius commenced from the year of our Lord's incarnation

532 -- the year in which the code of Justinian was

promulgated. "Vid. Flor. an." 532, 1064, and 1073. See

also M. West. "an." 532.

(35) "Vid. Prol. in Chron." Bervas. "ap. X." Script. p. 1338.

(36) Often did the editor, during the progress of the work,

sympathise with the printer; who, in answer to his urgent

importunities to hasten the work, replied once in the

classical language of Manutius: "Precor, ut occupationibus

meis ignoscas; premor enim oneribus, et typographiae cura,

ut vix sustineam." Who could be angry after this?

(37) Miss Gurney, of Keswick, Norfolk. The work, however, was

not published.

THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE

The island Britain (1) is 800 miles long, and 200 miles broad.

And there are in the island five nations; English, Welsh (or

British) (2), Scottish, Pictish, and Latin. The first

inhabitants were the Britons, who came from Armenia (3), and

first peopled Britain southward. Then happened it, that the

Picts came south from Scythia, with long ships, not many; and,

landing first in the northern part of Ireland, they told the

Scots that they must dwell there. But they would not give them

leave; for the Scots told them that they could not all dwell

there together; "But," said the Scots, "we can nevertheless give

you advice. We know another island here to the east. There you

may dwell, if you will; and whosoever withstandeth you, we will

assist you, that you may gain it." Then went the Picts and

entered this land northward. Southward the Britons possessed it,

as we before said. And the Picts obtained wives of the Scots, on

condition that they chose their kings always on the female side

(4); which they have continued to do, so long since. And it

happened, in the run of years, that some party of Scots went from

Ireland into Britain, and acquired some portion of this land.

Their leader was called Reoda (5), from whom they are named

Dalreodi (or Dalreathians).

Sixty winters ere that Christ was born, Caius Julius, emperor of

the Romans, with eighty ships sought Britain. There he was first

beaten in a dreadful fight, and lost a great part of his army.

Then he let his army abide with the Scots (6), and went south

into Gaul. There he gathered six hundred ships, with which he

went back into Britain. When they first rushed together,

Caesar's tribune, whose name was Labienus (7), was slain. Then

took the Welsh sharp piles, and drove them with great clubs into

the water, at a certain ford of the river called Thames. When

the Romans found that, they would not go over the ford. Then

fled the Britons to the fastnesses of the woods; and Caesar,

having after much fighting gained many of the chief towns, went

back into Gaul (8).

((B.C. 60. Before the incarnation of Christ sixty years, Gaius

Julius the emperor, first of the Romans, sought the land of

Britain; and he crushed the Britons in battle, and overcame them;

and nevertheless he was unable to gain any empire there.))

A.D. 1. Octavianus reigned fifty-six winters; and in the forty-

second year of his reign Christ was born. Then three astrologers

from the east came to worship Christ; and the children in

Bethlehem were slain by Herod in persecution of Christ.

A.D. 3. This year died Herod, stabbed by his own hand; and

Archelaus his son succeeded him. The child Christ was also this

year brought back again from Egypt.

A.D. 6. From the beginning of the world to this year were agone

five thousand and two hundred winters.

A.D. 11. This year Herod the son of Antipater undertook the

government in Judea.

A.D. 12. This year Philip and Herod divided Judea into four

kingdoms.

((A.D. 12. This year Judea was divided into four tetrarchies.))

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

A.D. 26. This year Pilate began to reign over the Jews.

A.D. 30. This year was Christ baptized; and Peter and Andrew

were converted, together with James, and John, and Philip, and

all the twelve apostles.

A.D. 33. This year was Christ crucified; (9) about five thousand

two hundred and twenty six winters from the beginning of the

world. (10)

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

stoned.

A.D. 35. This year the blessed Peter the apostle settled an

episcopal see in the city of Antioch.

A.D. 37. This year (11) Pilate slew himself with his own hand.

A.D. 39. This year Caius undertook the empire.

A.D. 44. This year the blessed Peter the apostle settled an

episcopal see at Rome; and James, the brother of John, was slain

by Herod.

A.D. 45. This year died Herod, who slew James one year ere his

own death.

A.D. 46. This year Claudius, the second of the Roman emperors

who invaded Britain, took the greater part of the island into his

power, and added the Orkneys to rite dominion of the Romans.

This was in the fourth year of his reign. And in the same year

(12) happened the great famine in Syria which Luke mentions in

the book called "The Acts of the Apostles". After Claudius Nero

succeeded to the empire, who almost lost the island Britain

through his incapacity.

((A.D. 46. This year the Emperor Claudius came to Britain, and

subdued a large part of the island; and he also added the island

of Orkney to the dominion of the Romans.))

A.D. 47. This year Mark, the evangelist in Egypt beginneth to

write the gospel.

((A.D. 47. This was in the fourth year of his reign, and in this

same year was the great famine in Syria which Luke speaks of in

the book called "Actus Apostolorum".))

((A.D. 47. This year Claudius, king of the Romans, went with an

army into Britain, and subdued the island, and subjected all the

Picts and Welsh to the rule of the Romans.))

A.D. 50. This year Paul was sent bound to Rome.

A.D. 62. This year James, the brother of Christ, suffered.

A.D. 63. This year Mark the evangelist departed this life.

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

A.D. 70. This year Vespasian undertook the empire.

A.D. 71. This year Titus, son of Vespasian, slew in Jerusalem

eleven hundred thousand Jews.

A.D. 81. This year Titus came to the empire, after Vespasian,

who said that he considered the day lost in which he did no good.

A.D. 83. This year Domitian, the brother of Titus, assumed the

government.

A.D. 84. This year John the evangelist in the island Patmos

wrote the book called "The Apocalypse".

A.D. 90. This year Simon, the apostle, a relation of Christ, was

crucified: and John the evangelist rested at Ephesus.

A.D. 92. This year died Pope Clement.

A.D. 110. This year Bishop Ignatius suffered.

A.D. 116. This year Hadrian the Caesar began to reign.

A.D. 145. This year Marcus Antoninus and Aurelius his brother

succeeded to the empire.

((A.D. 167. This year Eleutherius succeeded to the popedom, and

held it fifteen years; and in the same year Lucius, king of the

Britons, sent and begged baptism of him. And he soon sent it

him, and they continued in the true faith until the time of

Diocletian.))

A.D. 189. This year Severus came to the empire; and went with

his army into Britain, and subdued in battle a great part of the

island. Then wrought he a mound of turf, with a broad wall

thereupon, from sea to sea, for the defence of the Britons. He

reigned seventeen years; and then ended his days at York. His

son Bassianus succeeded him in the empire. His other son, who

perished, was called Geta. This year Eleutherius undertook the

bishopric of Rome, and held it honourably for fifteen winters.

To him Lucius, king of the Britons, sent letters, and prayed that

he might be made a Christian. He obtained his request; and they

continued afterwards in the right belief until the reign of

Diocletian.

A.D. 199. In this year was found the holy rood. (13)

A.D. 283. This year suffered Saint Alban the Martyr.

A.D. 343. This year died St. Nicolaus.

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

A.D. 381. This year Maximus the Caesar came to the empire. He

was born in the land of Britain, whence he passed over into Gaul.

He there slew the Emperor Gratian; and drove his brother, whose

name was Valentinian, from his country (Italy). The same

Valentinian afterwards collected an army, and slew Maximus;

whereby he gained the empire. About this time arose the error of

Pelagius over the world.

A.D. 418. This year the Romans collected all the hoards of gold

(14) that were in Britain; and some they hid in the earth, so

that no man afterwards might find them, and some they carried

away with them into Gaul.

A.D. 423. This year Theodosius the younger succeeded to the

empire.

A.D. 429. This year Bishop Palladius was sent from Pope

Celesrinus to the Scots, that he might establish their faith.

A.D. 430. This year Patricius was sent from Pope Celestinus to

preach baptism to the Scots.

((A.D. 430. This year Patrick was sent by Pope Celestine to

preach baptism to the Scots.))

A.D. 435. This year the Goths sacked the city of Rome; and never

since have the Romans reigned in Britain. This was about eleven

hundred and ten winters after it was built. They reigned

altogether in Britain four hundred and seventy winters since

Gaius Julius first sought that land.

A.D. 443. This year sent the Britons over sea to Rome, and

begged assistance against the Picts; but they had none, for the

Romans were at war with Atila, king of the Huns. Then sent they

to the Angles, and requested the same from the nobles of that

nation.

A.D. 444. This year died St. Martin.

A.D. 448. This year John the Baptist showed his head to two

monks, who came from the eastern country to Jerusalem for the

sake of prayer, in the place that whilom was the palace of Herod.

(15)

A.D. 449. This year Marcian and Valentinian assumed the empire,

and reigned seven winters. In their days Hengest and Horsa,

invited by Wurtgern, king of the Britons to his assistance,

landed in Britain in a place that is called Ipwinesfleet; first

of all to support the Britons, but they afterwards fought against

them. The king directed them to fight against the Picts; and

they did so; and obtained the victory wheresoever they came.

They then sent to the Angles, and desired them to send more

assistance. They described the worthlessness of the Britons, and

the richness of the land. They then sent them greater support.

Then came the men from three powers of Germany; the Old Saxons,

the Angles, and the Jutes. From the Jutes are descended the men

of Kent, the Wightwarians (that is, the tribe that now dwelleth

in the Isle of Wight), and that kindred in Wessex that men yet

call the kindred of the Jutes. From the Old Saxons came the

people of Essex and Sussex and Wessex. From Anglia, which has

ever since remained waste between the Jutes and the Saxons, came

the East Angles, the Middle Angles, the Mercians, and all of

those north of the Humber. Their leaders were two brothers,

Hengest and Horsa; who were the sons of Wihtgils; Wihtgils was

the son of Witta, Witta of Wecta, Wecta of Woden. From this

Woden arose all our royal kindred, and that of the Southumbrians

also.

((A.D. 449. And in their days Vortigern invited the Angles

thither, and they came to Britain in three ceols, at the place

called Wippidsfleet.))

A.D. 455. This year Hengest and Horsa fought with Wurtgern the

king on the spot that is called Aylesford. His brother Horsa

being there slain, Hengest afterwards took to the kingdom with

his son Esc.

A.D. 457. This year Hengest and Esc fought with the Britons on

the spot that is called Crayford, and there slew four thousand

men. The Britons then forsook the land of Kent, and in great

consternation fled to London.

A.D. 465. This year Hengest and Esc fought with the Welsh, nigh

Wippedfleet; and there slew twelve leaders, all Welsh. On their

side a thane was there slain, whose name was Wipped.

A.D. 473. This year Hengest and Esc fought with the Welsh, and

took immense Booty. And the Welsh fled from the English like

fire.

A.D. 477. This year came Ella to Britain, with his three sons,

Cymen, and Wlenking, and Cissa, in three ships; landing at a

place that is called Cymenshore. There they slew many of the

Welsh; and some in flight they drove into the wood that is called

Andred'sley.

A.D. 482. This year the blessed Abbot Benedict shone in this

world, by the splendour of those virtues which the blessed

Gregory records in the book of Dialogues.

A.D. 485. This year Ella fought with the Welsh nigh Mecred's-

Burnsted.

A.D. 488. This year Esc succeeded to the kingdom; and was king

of the men of Kent twenty-four winters.

A.D. 490. This year Ella and Cissa besieged the city of Andred,

and slew all that were therein; nor was one Briten left there

afterwards.

A.D. 495. This year came two leaders into Britain, Cerdic and

Cynric his son, with five ships, at a place that is called

Cerdic's-ore. And they fought with the Welsh the same day. Then

he died, and his son Cynric succeeded to the government, and held

it six and twenty winters. Then he died; and Ceawlin, his son,

succeeded, who reigned seventeen years. Then he died; and Ceol

succeeded to the government, and reigned five years. When he

died, Ceolwulf, his brother, succeeded, and reigned seventeen

years. Their kin goeth to Cerdic. Then succeeded Cynebils,

Ceolwulf's brother's son, to the kingdom; and reigned one and

thirty winters. And he first of West-Saxon kings received

baptism. Then succeeded Cenwall, who was the son of Cynegils,

and reigned one and thirty winters. Then held Sexburga, his

queen, the government one year after him. Then succeeded Escwine

to the kingdom, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and held it two years.

Then succeeded Centwine, the son of Cynegils, to the kingdom of

the West-Saxons, and reigned nine years. Then succeeded Ceadwall

to the government, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and held it three

years. Then succeeded Ina to the kingdom of the West-Saxons,

whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and reigned thirty-seven winters.

Then succeeded Ethelheard, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and reigned

sixteen years. Then succeeded Cuthred, whose kin goeth to

Cerdic, and reigned sixteen winters. Then succeeded Sigebriht,

whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and reigned one year. Then succeeded

Cynwulf, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and reigned one and thirty

winters. Then succeeded Brihtric, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and

reigned sixteen years. Then succeeded Egbert to the kingdom, and

held it seven and thirty winters, and seven months. Then

succeeded Ethelwulf, his son, and reigned eighteen years and a

half. Ethelwulf was the son of Egbert, Egbert of Ealmund,

Ealmund of Eafa, Eafa of Eoppa, Eoppa of Ingild, Ingild of Cenred

(Ina of Cenred, Cuthburga of Cenred, and Cwenburga of Cenred),

Cenred of Ceolwald, Ceolwald of Cuthwulf, Cuthwulf of Cuthwine,

Cuthwine of Celm, Celm of Cynric, Cynric of Creoda, Creoda of

Cerdic. Then succeeded Ethelbald, the son of Ethelwulf, to the

kingdom, and held it five years. Then succeeded Ethelbert, his

brother, and reigned five years. Then succeeded Ethelred, his

brother, to the kingdom, and held it five years. Then succeeded

Alfred, their brother, to the government. And then had elapsed

of his age three and twenty winters, and three hundred and

ninety-six winters from the time when his kindred first gained

the land of Wessex from the Welsh. And he held the kingdom a

year and a half less than thirty winters. Then succeeded Edward,

the son of Alfred, and reigned twenty-four winters. When he

died, then succeeded Athelstan, his son, and reigned fourteen

years and seven weeks and three days. Then succeeded Edmund, his

brother, and reigned six years and a half, wanting two nights.

Then succeeded Edred, his brother, and reigned nine years and six

weeks. Then succeeded Edwy, the son of Edmund, and reigned three

years and thirty-six weeks, wanting two days. When he died, then

succeeded Edgar, his brother, and reigned sixteen years and eight

weeks and two nights. When he died, then succeeded Edward, the

son of Edgar, and reigned --

A.D. 501. This year Porta and his two sons, Beda and Mela, came

into Britain, with two ships, at a place called Portsmouth. They

soon landed, and slew on the spot a young Briton of very high

rank.

A.D. 508. This year Cerdic and Cynric slew a British king, whose

name was Natanleod, and five thousand men with him. After this

was the land named Netley, from him, as far as Charford.

A.D. 509. This year St. Benedict, the abbot, father of all the

monks, (16) ascended to heaven.

A.D. 514. This year came the West-Saxons into Britain, with

three ships, at the place that is called Cerdic's-ore. And Stuff

and Wihtgar fought with the Britons, and put them to flight.

A.D. 519. This year Cerdic and Cynric undertook the government

of the West-Saxons; the same year they fought with the Britons at

a place now called Charford. From that day have reigned the

children of the West-Saxon kings.

A.D. 527. This year Cerdic and Cynric fought with the Britons in

the place that is called Cerdic's-ley.

A.D. 530. This year Cerdic and Cynric took the isle of Wight,

and slew many men in Carisbrook.

A.D. 534. This year died Cerdic, the first king of the West-

Saxons. Cynric his son succeeded to the government, and reigned

afterwards twenty-six winters. And they gave to their two

nephews, Stuff and Wihtgar, the whole of the Isle of Wight.

A.D. 538. This year the sun was eclipsed, fourteen days before

the calends of March, from before morning until nine.

A.D. 540. This year the sun was eclipsed on the twelfth day

before the calends of July; and the stars showed themselves full

nigh half an hour over nine.

A.D. 544. This year died Wihtgar; and men buried him at

Carisbrook.

A.D. 547. This year Ida began his reign; from whom first arose

the royal kindred of the Northumbrians. Ida was the son of

Eoppa, Eoppa of Esa, Esa of Ingwy, Ingwy of Angenwit, Angenwit of

Alloc, Alloc of Bennoc, Bennoc of Brand, Brand of Balday, Balday

of Woden. Woden of Fritholaf, Fritholaf of Frithowulf,

Frithowulf of Finn, Finn of Godolph, Godolph of Geata. Ida

reigned twelve years. He built Bamburgh-Castle, which was first

surrounded with a hedge, and afterwards with a wall.

A.D. 552. This year Cynric fought with the Britons on the spot

that is called Sarum, and put them to flight. Cerdic was the

father of Cynric, Cerdic was the son of Elesa, Elesa of Esla,

Esla of Gewis, Gewis of Wye, Wye of Frewin, Frewin of Frithgar,

Frithgar of Brand, Brand of Balday, Balday of Woden. In this

year Ethelbert, the son of Ermenric, was born, who on the two and

thirtieth year of his reign received the rite of baptism, the

first of all the kings in Britain.

A.D. 556. This year Cynric and Ceawlin fought with the Britons

at Beranbury.

A.D. 560. This year Ceawlin undertook the government of the

West-Saxons; and Ella, on the death of Ida, that of the

Northumbrians; each of whom reigned thirty winters. Ella was the

son of Iff, Iff of Usfrey, Usfrey of Wilgis, Wilgis of

Westerfalcon, Westerfalcon of Seafowl, Seafowl of Sebbald,

Sebbald of Sigeat, Sigeat of Swaddy, Swaddy of Seagirt, Seagar of

Waddy, Waddy of Woden, Woden of Frithowulf. This year Ethelbert

came to the kingdom of the Cantuarians, and held it fifty-three

winters. In his days the holy Pope Gregory sent us baptism.

That was in the two and thirtieth year of his reign. And

Columba, the mass-priest, came to the Picts, and converted them

to the belief of Christ. They are the dwellers by the northern

moors. And their king gave him the island of Hii, consisting of

five hides, as they say, where Columba built a monastary. There

he was abbot two and thirty winters; and there he died, when he

was seventy-seven years old. The place his successors yet have.

The Southern Picts were long before baptized by Bishop Ninnia,

who was taught at Rome. His church or monastery is at Hwiterne,

hallowed in the name of St. Martin, where he resteth with many

holy men. Now, therefore, shall there be ever in Hii an abbot,

and no bishop; and to him shall be subject all the bishops of the

Scots; because Columba was an abbot -- no bishop.

((A.D. 565. This year Columba the presbyter came from the Scots

among the Britons, to instruct the Picts, and he built a

monastery in the island of Hii.))

A.D. 568. This year Ceawlin, and Cutha the brother of Ceawlin,

fought with Ethelbert, and pursued him into Kent. And they slew

two aldermen at Wimbledon, Oslake and Cnebba.

A.D. 571. This year Cuthulf fought with the Britons at Bedford,

and took four towns, Lenbury, Aylesbury, Benson, and Ensham. And

this same year he died.

A.D. 577. This year Cuthwin and Ceawlin fought with the Britons,

and slew three kings, Commail, and Condida, and Farinmail, on the

spot that is called Derham, and took from them three cities,

Gloucester, Cirencester, and Bath.

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

Romans.

A.D. 584. This year Ceawlin and Cutha fought with the Britons on

the spot that is called Fretherne. There Cutha was slain. And

Ceawlin took many towns, as well as immense booty and wealth. He

then retreated to his own people.

A.D. 588. This year died King Ella; and Ethelric reigned after

him five years.

A.D. 591. This year there was a great slaughter of Britons at

Wanborough; Ceawlin was driven from his kingdom, and Ceolric

reigned six years.

A.D. 592. This year Gregory succeeded to the papacy at Rome.

A.D. 593. This year died Ceawlin, and Cwichelm, and Cryda; and

Ethelfrith succeeded to the kingdom of the Northumbrians. He was

the son of Ethelric; Ethelric of Ida.

A.D. 596. This year Pope Gregory sent Augustine to Britain with

very many monks, to preach the word of God to the English people.

A.D. 597. This year began Ceolwulf to reign over the West-

Saxons; and he constantly fought and conquered, either with the

Angles, or the Welsh, or the Picts, or the Scots. He was the son

of Cutha, Cutha of Cynric, Cynric of Cerdic, Cerdic of Elesa,

Elesa of Gewis, Gewis of Wye, Wye of Frewin, Frewin of Frithgar,

Frithgar of Brand, Brand of Balday, and Balday of Woden. This

year came Augustine and his companions to England. (17)

A.D. 601. This year Pope Gregory sent the pall to Archbishop

Augustine in Britain, with very many learned doctors to assist

him; and Bishop Paulinus converted Edwin, king of the

Northumbrians, to baptism.

A.D. 603. This year Aeden, king of the Scots, fought with the

Dalreathians, and with Ethelfrith, king of the Northumbrians, at

Theakstone; where he lost almost all his army. Theobald also,

brother of Ethelfrith, with his whole armament, was slain. None

of the Scottish kings durst afterwards bring an army against this

nation. Hering, the son of Hussa, led the army thither.

((A.D. 603. This year Aethan, King of the Scots, fought against

the Dalreods and against Ethelfrith, king of the North-humbrians,

at Daegsanstane [Dawston?], and they slew almost all his army.

There Theodbald, Ethelfrith's brother, was slain with all his

band. Since then no king of the Scots has dared to lead an army

against this nation. Hering, the son of Hussa, led the enemy

thither.))

A.D. 604. This year Augustine consecrated two bishops, Mellitus

and Justus. Mellitus he sent to preach baptism to the East-

Saxons. Their king was called Seabert, the son of Ricola,

Ethelbert's sister, whom Ethelbert placed there as king.

Ethelbert also gave Mellitus the bishopric of London; and to

Justus he gave the bishopric of Rochester, which is twenty-four

miles from Canterbury.

((A.D. 604. This year Augustine consecrated two bishops,

Mellitus and Justus. He sent Mellitus to preach baptism to the

East-Saxons, whose king was called Sebert, son of Ricole, the

sister of Ethelbert, and whom Ethelbert had there appointed king.

And Ethelbert gave Mellitus a bishop's see in London, and to

Justus he gave Rochester, which is twenty-four miles from

Canterbury.))

A.D. 606. This year died Gregory; about ten years since he sent

us baptism. His father was called Gordianus, and his mother

Silvia.

A.D. 607. This year Ceolwulf fought with the South-Saxons. And

Ethelfrith led his army to Chester; where he slew an innumerable

host of the Welsh; and so was fulfilled the prophecy of

Augustine, wherein he saith "If the Welsh will not have peace

with us, they shall perish at the hands of the Saxons." There

were also slain two hundred priests, (18) who came thither to

pray for the army of the Welsh. Their leader was called

Brocmail, who with some fifty men escaped thence.

A.D. 611. This year Cynegils succeeded to the government in

Wessex, and held it one and thirty winters. Cynegils was the son

of Ceol, Ceol of Cutha, Cutha of Cynric.

A.D. 614. This year Cynegils and Cwichelm fought at Bampton, and

slew two thousand and forty-six of the Welsh.

A.D. 616. This year died Ethelbert, king of Kent, the first of

English kings that received baptism: he was the son of Ermenric.

He reigned fifty-six winters, and was succeeded by his son

Eadbald. And in this same year had elapsed from the beginning of

the world five thousand six hundred and eighteen winters. This

Eadbald renounced his baptism, and lived in a heathen manner; so

that he took to wife the relict of his father. Then Laurentius,

who was archbishop in Kent, meant to depart southward over sea,

and abandon everything. But there came to him in the night the

apostle Peter, and severely chastised him, (19) because he would

so desert the flock of God. And he charged him to go to the

king, and teach him the right belief. And he did so; and the

king returned to the right belief. In this king's days the same

Laurentius, who was archbishop in Kent after Augustine, departed

this life on the second of February, and was buried near

Augustine. The holy Augustine in his lifetime invested him

bishop, to the end that the church of Christ, which yet was new

in England, should at no time after his decease be without an

archbishop. After him Mellitus, who was first Bishop of London,

succeeded to the archbishopric. The people of London, where

Mellitus was before, were then heathens: and within five winters

of this time, during the reign of Eadbald, Mellitus died. To him

succeeded Justus, who was Bishop of Rochester, whereto he

consecrated Romanus bishop.

((A.D. 616. In that time Laurentius was archbishop, and for the

sorrowfulness which he had on account of the king's unbelief he

was minded to forsake this country entirely, and go over sea; but

St. Peter the apostle scourged him sorely one night, because he

wished thus to forsake the flock of God, and commanded him to

teach boldly the true faith to the king; and he did so, and the

king turned to the right (faith). In the days of this same king,

Eadbald, this Laurentius died. The holy Augustine, while yet in

sound health, ordained him bishop, in order that the community of

Christ, which was yet new in England, should not after his

decease be at any time without an archbishop. After him

Mellitus, who had been previously Bishop of London, succeeded to

the archbishopric. And within five years of the decease of

Laurentius, while Eadbald still reigned, Mellitus departed to

Christ.))

A.D. 617. This year was Ethelfrith, king of the Northumbrians,

slain by Redwald, king of the East-Angles; and Edwin, the son of

Ella, having succeeded to the kingdom, subdued all Britain,

except the men of Kent alone, and drove out the Ethelings, the

sons of Ethelfrith, namely, Enfrid. Oswald, Oswy, Oslac, Oswood.

Oslaf, and Offa.

A.D. 624. This year died Archbishop Mellitus.

A.D. 625. This year Paulinus was invested bishop of the

Northumbrians, by Archbishop Justus, on the twelfth day before

the calends of August.

((A.D. 625. This year Archbishop Justus consecrated Paulinus

bishop of the North-humbrians.))

A.D. 626. This year came Eamer from Cwichelm, king of the West-

Saxons, with a design to assassinate King Edwin; but he killed

Lilla his thane, and Forthere, and wounded the king. The same

night a daughter was born to Edwin, whose name was Eanfleda.

Then promised the king to Paulinus, that he would devote his

daughter to God, if he would procure at the hand of God, that he

might destroy his enemy, who had sent the assassin to him. He

then advanced against the West-Saxons with an army, felled on the

spot five kings, and slew many of their men. This year Eanfleda,

the daughter of King Edwin, was baptized, on the holy eve of

Pentecost. And the king within twelve months was baptized, at

Easter, with all his people. Easter was then on the twelfth of

April. This was done at York, where he had ordered a church to

be built of timber, which was hallowed in the name of St. Peter.

There the king gave the bishopric to Paulinus; and there he

afterwards ordered a larger church to be built of stone. This

year Penda began to reign; and reigned thirty winters. He had

seen fifty winters when he began to reign. Penda was the son of

Wybba, Wybba of Creoda, Creoda of Cynewald, Cynewald of Cnebba,

Cnebba of Icel, Icel of Eomer, Eomer of Angelthew, Angelthew of

Offa, Offa of Wearmund, Wearmund of Whitley, Whitley of Woden.

A.D. 627. This year was King Edwin baptized at Easter, with all

his people, by Paulinus, who also preached baptism in Lindsey,

where the first person who believed was a certain rich man, of

the name of Bleek, with all his people. At this time Honorius

succeeded Boniface in the papacy, and sent hither to Paulinus the

pall; and Archbishop Justus having departed this life on the

tenth of November, Honorius was consecrated at Lincoln Archbishop

of Canterbury by Paulinus; and Pope Honorius sent him the pall.

And he sent an injunction to the Scots, that they should return

to the right celebration of Easter.

((A.D. 627. This year, at Easter, Paulinus baptized Edwin king

of the North-humbrians, with his people; and earlier within the

same year, at Pentecost, he had baptized Eanfled, daughter of the

same king.))

A.D. 628. This year Cynegils and Cwichelm fought with Penda at

Cirencester, and afterwards entered into a treaty there.

A.D. 632. This year was Orpwald baptized.

A.D. 633. This year King Edwin was slain by Cadwalla and Penda,

on Hatfield moor, on the fourteenth of October. He reigned

seventeen years. His son Osfrid was also slain with him. After

this Cadwalla and Penda went and ravaged all the land of the

Northumbrians; which when Paulinus saw, he took Ethelburga, the

relict of Edwin, and went by ship to Kent. Eadbald and Honorius

received him very honourably, and gave him the bishopric of

Rochester, where he continued to his death.

A.D. 634. This year Osric, whom Paulinus baptized, succeeded to

the government of Deira. He was the son of Elfric, the uncle of

Edwin. And to Bernicia succeeded Eanfrith, son of Ethelfrith.

This year also Bishop Birinus first preached baptism to the West-

Saxons, under King Cynegils. The said Birinus went thither by

the command of Pope Honorius; and he was bishop there to the end

of his life. Oswald also this year succeeded to the government

of the Northumbrians, and reigned nine winters. The ninth year

was assigned to him on account of the heathenism in which those

lived who reigned that one year betwixt him and Edwin.

A.D. 635. This year King Cynegils was baptized by Bishop Birinus

at Dorchester; and Oswald, king of the Northumbrians, was his

sponsor.

A.D. 636. This year King Cwichelm was baptized at Dorchester,

and died the same year. Bishop Felix also preached to the East-

Angles the belief of Christ.

A.D. 639. This year Birinus baptized King Cuthred at Dorchester,

and received him as his son.

A.D. 640. This year died Eadbald, King of Kent, after a reign of

twenty-five winters. He had two sons, Ermenred and Erkenbert;

and Erkenbert reigned there after his father. He overturned all

the idols in the kingdom, and first of English kings appointed a

fast before Easter. His daughter was called Ercongota -- holy

damsel of an illustrious sire! whose mother was Sexburga, the

daughter of Anna, king of the East-Angles. Ermenred also begat

two sons, who were afterwards martyred by Thunnor.

A.D. 642. This year Oswald, king of the Northumbrians, was slain

by Penda, king of the Southumbrians, at Mirfield, on the fifth

day of August; and his body was buried at Bardney. His holiness

and miracles were afterwards displayed on manifold occasions

throughout this island; and his hands remain still uncorrupted at

Barnburgh. The same year in which Oswald was slain, Oswy his

brother succeeded to the government of the Northumbrians, and

reigned two less than thirty years.

A.D. 643. This year Kenwal succeeded to the kingdom of the West-

Saxons, and held it one and thirty winters. This Kenwal ordered

the old (20) church at Winchester to be built in the name of St.

Peter. He was the son of Cynegils.

A.D. 644. This year died at Rochester, on the tenth of October,

Paulinus, who was first Archbishop at York, and afterwards at

Rochester. He was bishop nineteen winters, two months, and one

and twenty days. This year the son of Oswy's uncle (Oswin), the

son of Osric, assumed the government of Deira, and reigned seven

winters.

A.D. 645. This year King Kenwal was driven from his dominion by

King Penda.

A.D. 646. This year King Kenwal was baptized.

A.D. 648. This year Kenwal gave his relation Cuthred three

thousand hides of land by Ashdown. Cuthred was the son of

Cwichelm, Cwichelm of Cynegils.

A.D. 650. This year Egelbert, from Gaul, after Birinus the

Romish bishop, obtained the bishopric of the West-Saxons.

((A.D. 650. This year Birinus the bishop died, and Agilbert the

Frenchman was ordained.))

A.D. 651. This year King Oswin was slain, on the twentieth day

of August; and within twelve nights afterwards died Bishop Aidan,

on the thirty-first of August.

A.D. 652. This year Kenwal fought at Bradford by the Avon.

A.D. 653. This year, the Middle-Angles under alderman Peada

received the right belief.

A.D. 654. This year King Anna was slain, and Botolph began to

build that minster at Icanhoe. This year also died Archbishop

Honorius, on the thirtieth of September.

A.D. 655. This year Penda was slain at Wingfield, and thirty

royal personages with him, some of whom were kings. One of them

was Ethelhere, brother of Anna, king of the East-Angles. The

Mercians after this became Christians. From the beginning of the

world had now elapsed five thousand eight hundred and fifty

winters, when Peada, the son of Penda, assumed the government of

the Mercians. In his time came together himself and Oswy,

brother of King Oswald, and said, that they would rear a minster

to the glory of Christ, and the honour of St. Peter. And they

did so, and gave it the name of Medhamsted; because there is a

well there, called Meadswell. And they began the groundwall, and

wrought thereon; after which they committed the work to a monk,

whose name was Saxulf. He was very much the friend of God, and

him also loved all people. He was nobly born in the world, and

rich: he is now much richer with Christ. But King Peada reigned

no while; for he was betrayed by his own queen, in Easter-tide.

This year Ithamar, Bishop of Rochester, consecrated Deus-dedit to

Canterbury, on the twenty-sixth day of March.

A.D. 656. This year was Peada slain; and Wulfhere, son of Penda,

succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians. In his time waxed the

abbey of Medhamsted very rich, which his brother had begun. The

king loved it much, for the love of his brother Peada, and for

the love of his wed-brother Oswy, and for the love of Saxulf the

abbot. He said, therefore, that he would dignify and honour it

by the counsel of his brothers, Ethelred and Merwal; and by the

counsel of his sisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha; and by the

counsel of the archbishop, who was called Deus-dedit; and by the

counsel of all his peers, learned and lewd, that in his kingdom

were. And he so did. Then sent the king after the abbot, that

he should immediately come to him. And he so did. Then said the

king to the abbot: "Beloved Saxulf, I have sent after thee for

the good of my soul; and I will plainly tell thee for why. My

brother Peada and my beloved friend Oswy began a minster, for the

love of Christ and St. Peter: but my brother, as Christ willed,

is departed from this life; I will therefore intreat thee,

beloved friend, that they earnestly proceed on their work; and I

will find thee thereto gold and silver, land and possessions, and

all that thereto behoveth." Then went the abbot home, and began

to work. So he sped, as Christ permitted him; so that in a few

years was that minster ready. Then, when the king heard say

that, he was very glad; and bade men send through all the nation,

after all his thanes; after the archbishop, and after bishops:

and after his earls; and after all those that loved God; that

they should come to him. And he fixed the day when men should

hallow the minster. And when they were hallowing the minster,

there was the king, Wulfere, and his brother Ethelred, and his

sisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha. And the minster was hallowed

by Archbishop Deusdedit of Canterbury; and the Bishop of

Rochester, Ithamar; and the Bishop of London, who was called

Wina; and the Bishop of the Mercians, whose name was Jeruman; and

Bishop Tuda. And there was Wilfrid, priest, that after was

bishop; and there were all his thanes that were in his kingdom.

When the minster was hallowed, in the name of St. Peter, and St.

Paul, and St. Andrew, then stood up the king before all his

thanes, and said with a loud voice: "Thanks be to the high

almighty God for this worship that here is done; and I will this

day glorify Christ and St. Peter, and I will that you all confirm

my words. -- I Wulfere give to-day to St. Peter, and the Abbot

Saxulf, and the monks of the minster, these lands, and these

waters, and meres, and fens, and weirs, and all the lands that

thereabout lye, that are of my kingdom, freely, so that no man

have there any ingress, but the abbot and the monks. This is the

gift. From Medhamsted to Northborough; and so to the place that

is called Foleys; and so all the fen, right to Ashdike; and from

Ashdike to the place called Fethermouth; and so in a right line

ten miles long to Ugdike; and so to Ragwell; and from Ragwell

five miles to the main river that goeth to Elm and to Wisbeach;

and so about three miles to Trokenholt; and from Trokenholt right

through all the fen to Derworth; that is twenty miles long; and

so to Great Cross; and from Great Cross through a clear water

called Bradney; and thence six miles to Paxlade; and so forth

through all the meres and fens that lye toward Huntingdon-port;

and the meres and lakes Shelfermere and Wittlesey mere, and all

the others that thereabout lye; with land and with houses that

are on the east side of Shelfermere; thence all the fens to

Medhamsted; from Medhamsted all to Welmsford; from Welmsford to

Clive; thence to Easton; from Easton to Stamford; from Stamford

as the water runneth to the aforesaid Northborough." -- These are

the lands and the fens that the king gave unto St. Peter's

minster. -- Then quoth the king: "It is little -- this gift --

but I will that they hold it so royally and so freely, that there

be taken there from neither gild nor gable, but for the monks

alone. Thus I will free this minster; that it be not subject

except to Rome alone; and hither I will that we seek St. Peter,

all that to Rome cannot go." During these words the abbot

desired that he would gant him his request. And the king granted

it. "I have here (said he) some good monks that would lead their

life in retirement, if they wist where. Now here is an island,

that is called Ankerig; and I will request, that we may there

build a minster to the honour of St. Mary; that they may dwell

there who will lead their lives in peace and tranquillity." Then

answered the king, and quoth thus: "Beloved Saxulf, not that only

which thou desirest, but all things that I know thou desirest in

our Lord's behalf, so I approve, and grant. And I bid thee,

brother Ethelred, and my sisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha, for

the release of your souls, that you be witnesses, and that you

subscribe it with your fingers. And I pray all that come after

me, be they my sons, be they my brethren, or kings that come

after me, that our gift may stand; as they would be partakers of

the life everlasting, and as they would avoid everlasting

punishment. Whoso lesseneth our gift, or the gift of other good

men, may the heavenly porter lessen him in the kingdom of heaven;

and whoso advanceth it, may the heavenly porter advance him in

the kingdom of heaven." These are the witnesses that were there,

and that subscribed it with their fingers on the cross of Christ,

and confirmed it with their tongues. That was, first the king,

Wulfere, who confirmed it first with his word, and afterwards

wrote with his finger on the cross of Christ, saying thus: "I

Wulfere, king, in the presence of kings, and of earls, and of

captains, and of thanes, the witnesses of my gift, before the

Archbishop Deus-dedit, I confirm it with the cross of Christ."

(+) -- "And I Oswy, king of the Northumbrians, the friend of this

minster, and oœ the Abbot Saxulf, commend it with the cross of

Christ." (+) -- "And I Sighere, king, ratify it with the cross of

Christ." (+) -- "And I Sibbi, king, subscribe it with the cross

of Christ." (+) -- "And I Ethelred, the king's brother, granted

the same with the cross of Christ." (+) -- "And we, the king's

sisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha, approve it." -- "And I

Archbishop of Canterbury, Deus-dedit, ratify it." -- Then

confirmed it all the others that were there with the cross of

Christ (+): namely, Ithamar, Bishop of Rochester; Wina, Bishop of

London; Jeruman, Bishop of the Mercians; and Tuda, bishop; and

Wilfrid, priest, who was afterwards bishop; and Eoppa, priest,

whom the king, Wulfere, sent to preach christianity in the Isle

of Wight; and Saxulf, abbot; and Immine, alderman, and Edbert,

alderman, and Herefrith, alderman, and Wilbert, alderman, and

Abo, alderman; Ethelbald, Brord, Wilbert, Elmund, Frethegis.

These, and many others that were there, the king's most loyal

subjects, confirmed it all. This charter was written after our

Lord's Nativity 664 -- the seventh year of King Wulfere -- the

ninth year of Archbishop Deus-dedir. Then they laid God's curse,

and the curse of all saints, and all christian folks, on

whosoever undid anything that there was done. "So be it," saith

all. "Amen." -- When this thing was done, then sent the king to

Rome to the Pope Vitalianus that then was, and desired, that he

would ratify with his writ and with his blessing, all this

aforesaid thing. And the pope then sent his writ, thus saying:

"I Vitalianus, pope, grant thee, King Wulfere, and Deus-dedit,

archbishop, and Abbot Saxulf, all the things that you desire.

And I forbid, that any king, or any man, have any ingress, but

the abbot alone; nor shall he be Subject to any man, except the

Pope of Rome and the Archbishop of Canterbury. If any one

breaketh anything of this, St. Peter with his sword destroy him.

Whosoever holdeth it, St. Peter with heaven's key undo him the

kingdom of heaven." -- Thus was the minster of Medhamsted begun,

that was afterwards called Peter-borough. Afterwards came

another archbishop to Canterbury, who was called Theodorus; a

very good man and wise; and held his synod with his bishops and

with his clerk. There was Wilfrid, bishop of the Mercians,

deprived of his bishopric; and Saxulf, abbot, was there chosen

bishop; and Cuthbald, monk of the same minster, was chosen abbot.

This synod was holden after our Lord's Nativity six hundred and

seventy-three winters.

A.D. 658. This year Kenwal fought with the Welsh at Pen, and

pursued them to the Parret. This battle was fought after his

return from East-Anglia, where he was three years in exile.

Penda had driven him thither and deprived him of his kingdom,

because he had discarded his sister.

A.D. 660. This year Bishop Egelbert departed from Kenwal; and

Wina held the bishopric three years. And Egbert accepted the

bishopric of Paris, in Gaul, by the Seine.

A.D. 661. This year, at Easter, Kenwal fought at Pontesbury; and

Wulfere, the son of Penda, pursued him as far as Ashdown.

Cuthred, the son of Cwichelm, and King Kenbert, died in one year.

Into the Isle of Wight also Wulfere, the son of Penda,

penetrated, and transferred the inhabitants to Ethelwald, king of

the South-Saxons, because Wulfere adopted him in baptism. And

Eoppa, a mass-priest, by command of Wilfrid and King Wulfere, was

the first of men who brought baptism to the people of the Isle of

Wight.

A.D. 664. This year the sun was eclipsed, on the eleventh of

May; and Erkenbert, King of Kent, having died, Egbert his son

succeeded to the kingdom. Colman with his companions this year

returned to his own country. This same year there was a great

plague in the island Britain, in which died Bishop Tuda, who was

buried at Wayleigh -- Chad and Wilferth were consecrated -- And

Archbishop Deus-dedit died.

A.D. 667. This year Oswy and Egbert sent Wighard, a priest, to

Rome, that he might be consecrated there Archbishop of

Canterbury; but he died as soon as he came thither.

((A.D. 667. This year Wighard went to Rome, even as King Oswy,

and Egbert had sent him.))

A.D. 668. This year Theodore was consecrated archbishop, and

sent into Britain.

A.D. 669. This year King Egbert gave to Bass, a mass-priest,

Reculver -- to build a minster upon.

A.D. 670. This year died Oswy, King of Northumberland, on the

fifteenth day before the calends of March; and Egferth his son

reigned after him. Lothere, the nephew of Bishop Egelbert,

succeeded to the bishopric over the land of the West-Saxons, and

held it seven years. He was consecrated by Archbishop Theodore.

Oswy was the son of Ethelfrith, Ethelfrith of Ethelric, Ethelric

of Ida, Ida of Eoppa.

A.D. 671. This year happened that great destruction among the

fowls.

A.D. 672. This year died King Cenwal; and Sexburga his queen

held the government one year after him.

A.D. 673. This year died Egbert, King of Kent; and the same year

there was a synod at Hertford; and St. Etheldritha began that

monastery at Ely.

A.D. 674. This year Escwin succeeded to the kingdom of Wessex.

He was the son of Cenfus, Cenfus of Cenferth, Cenferth of

Cuthgils, Cuthgils of Ceolwulf, Ceolwulf of Cynric, Cynric of

Cerdic.

A.D. 675. This year Wulfere, the son of Penda, and Escwin, the

son of Cenfus, fought at Bedwin. The same year died Wulfere, and

Ethelred succeeded to the government. In his time sent he to

Rome Bishop Wilfrid to the pope that then was, called Agatho, and

told him by word and by letter, how his brothers Peada and

Wulfere, and the Abbot Saxulf, had wrought a minster, called

Medhamsted; and that they had freed it, against king and against

bishop, from every service; and he besought him that he would

confirm it with his writ and with his blessing. And the pope

sent then his writ to England, thus saying: "I Agatho, Pope of

Rome, greet well the worthy Ethelred, king of the Mercians, and

the Archbishop Theodorus of Canterbury, and Saxulf, the bishop of

the Mercians, who before was abbot, and all the abbots that are

in England; God's greeting and my blessing. I have heard the

petition of King Ethelred, and of the Archbishop Theodorus, and

of the Bishop Saxulf, and of the Abbot Cuthbald; and I will it,

that it in all wise be as you have spoken it. And I ordain, in

behalf of God, and of St. Peter, and of all saints, and of every

hooded head, that neither king, nor bishop, nor earl, nor any man

whatever, have any claim, or gable, or gild, or levy, or take any

service of any kind, from the abbey of Medhamsted. I command

also, that no shire-bishop be so bold as to hold an ordination or

consecration within this abbacy, except the abbot intreat him,

nor have there any claim to proxies, or synodals, or anything

whatever of any kind. And I will, that the abbot be holden for

legate of Rome over all that island; and whatever abbot is there

chosen by the monks that he be consecrated by the Archbishop of

Canterbury. I will and decree, that, whatever man may have made

a vow to go to Rome, and cannot perform it, either from

infirmity, or for his lord's need, or from poverty, or from any

other necessity of any kind whatever, whereby he cannot come

thither, be he of England, or of whatever other island he be, he

may come to that minster of Medhamsted, and have the same

forgiveness of Christ and St. Peter, and of the abbot, and of the

monks, that he should have if he went to Rome. Now bid I thee,

brother Theodorus, that thou let it be proclaimed through all

England, that a synod be gathered, and this writ be read and

observed. Also I tell thee, Bishop Saxulf, that, as thou

desirest it, that the minster be free, so I forbid thee, and all

the bishops that after thee come, from Christ and from all his

saints, that ye have no demand from that minster, except so much

as the abbot will. Now will I say in a word, that, whoso holdeth

this writ and this decree, then be he ever dwelling with God

Almighty in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso breaketh it, then

be he excommunicated, and thrust down with Judas, and with all

the devils in hell, except he come to repentance. Amen!" This

writ sent the Pope Agatho, and a hundred and twenty-five bishops,

by Wilfrid, Archbishop of York, to England. This was done after

our Lord's Nativity 680, the sixth year of King Ethelred. Then

the king commanded the Archbishop Theodorus, that he should

appoint a general Wittenmoot at the place called Hatfield. When

they were there collected, then he allowed the letter to be read

that the pope sent thither; and all ratified and confirmed it.

Then said the king: "All things that my brother Peada, and my

brother Wulfere, and my sisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha, gave

and granted to St. Peter and the abbot, these I will may stand;

and I will in my day increase it, for their souls and for my

soul. Now give I St. Peter to-day into his minster, Medhamsted,

these lands, and all that thereto lyeth; that is, Bredon,

Repings, Cadney, Swineshead, Hanbury, Lodeshall, Scuffanhall,

Cosford, Stratford, Wattleburn, Lushgard, Ethelhun-island,

Bardney. These lands I give St. Peter just as freely as I

possessed them myself; and so, that none of my successors take

anything therefrom. Whoso doeth it, have he the curse of the

Pope of Rome, and the curse of all bishops, and of all those that

are witnesses here. And this I confirm with the token of

Christ." (+) "I Theodorus, Archbishop of Canterbury, am witness

to this charter of Medhamsted; and I ratify it with my hand, and

I excommunicate all that break anything thereof; and I bless all

that hold it." (+) "I Wilfrid, Archbishop of York, am witness to

this charter; and I ratify this same curse." (+) "I Saxulf, who

was first abbot, and now am bishop, I give my curse, and that of

all my successors, to those who break this." -- "I Ostritha,

Ethelred's queen, confirm it." -- "I Adrian, legate, ratify it."

-- "I Putta, Bishop of Rochester, subscribe it." -- "I Waldhere,

Bishop of London, confirm it." -- "I Cuthbald, abbot, ratify it;

so that, whoso breaketh it, have he the cursing of all bishops

and of all christian folk. Amen."

A.D. 676. This year, in which Hedda succeeded to his bishopric,

Escwin died; and Centwin obtained the government of the West-

Saxons. Centwin was the son of Cynegils, Cynegils of Ceolwulf.

Ethelred, king of the Mercians, in the meantime, overran the land

of Kent.

A.D. 678. This year appeared the comet-star in August, and shone

every morning, during three months, like a sunbeam. Bishop

Wilfrid being driven from his bishopric by King Everth, two

bishops were consecrated in his stead, Bosa over the Deirians,

and Eata over the Bernicians. About the same time also Eadhed

was consecrated bishop over the people of Lindsey, being the

first in that division.

A.D. 679. This year Elwin was slain, by the river Trent, on the

spot where Everth and Ethelred fought. This year also died St.

Etheldritha; and the monastery of Coldingiham was destroyed by

fire from heaven.

A.D. 680. This year Archbishop Theodore appointed a synod at

Hatfield; because he was desirous of rectifying the belief of

Christ; and the same year died Hilda, Abbess of Whitby.

A.D. 681. This year Trumbert was consecrated Bishop of Hexham,

and Trumwin bishop of the Picts; for they were at that time

subject to this country. This year also Centwin pursued the

Britons to the sea.

A.D. 684. This year Everth sent an army against the Scots, under

the command of his alderman, Bright, who lamentably plundered and

burned the churches of God.

A.D. 685. This year King Everth commanded Cuthbert to be

consecrated a bishop; and Archbishop Theodore, on the first day

of Easter, consecrated him at York Bishop of Hexham; for Trumbert

had been deprived of that see. The same year Everth was slain by

the north sea, and a large army with him, on the thirteenth day

before the calends of June. He continued king fifteen winters;

and his brother Elfrith succeeded him in the government. Everth

was the son of Oswy. Oswy of Ethelferth, Ethelferth of Ethelric,

Ethelric of Ida, Ida of Eoppa. About this time Ceadwall began to

struggle for a kingdom. Ceadwall was the son of Kenbert, Kenbert

of Chad, Chad of Cutha, Cutha of Ceawlin, Ceawlin of Cynric,

Cynric of Cerdic. Mull, who was afterwards consigned to the

flames in Kent, was the brother of Ceadwall. The same year died

Lothhere, King of Kent; and John was consecrated Bishop of

Hexham, where he remained till Wilferth was restored, when John

was translated to York on the death of Bishop Bosa. Wilferth his

priest was afterwards consecrated Bishop of York, and John

retired to his monastery (21) in the woods of Delta. This year

there was in Britain a bloody rain, and milk and butter were

turned to blood.

((A.D. 685. And in this same year Cuthbert was consecrated

Bishop of Hexham by Archbishop Theodore at York, because Bishop

Tumbert had been driven from the bishopric.))

A.D. 686. This year Ceadwall and his brother Mull spread

devastation in Kent and the Isle of Wight. This same Ceadwall

gave to St. Peter's minster, at Medhamsted, Hook; which is

situated in an island called Egborough. Egbald at this time was

abbot, who was the third after Saxulf; and Theodore was

archbishop in Kent.

A.D. 687. This year was Mull consigned to the flames in Kent,

and twelve other men with him; after which, in the same year,

Ceadwall overran the kingdom of Kent.

A.D. 688. This year Ceadwall went to Rome, and received baptism

at the hands of Sergius the pope, who gave him the name of Peter;

but in the course of seven nights afterwards, on the twelfth day

before the calends of May, he died in his crisom-cloths, and was

buried in the church of St. Peter. To him succeeded Ina in the

kingdom of Wessex, and reigned thirty-seven winters. He founded

the monastery of Glastonbury; after which he went to Rome, and

continued there to the end of his life. Ina was the son of

Cenred, Cenred of Ceolwald; Ceolwald was the brother of Cynegils;

and both were the sons of Cuthwin, who was the son of Ceawlin;

Ceawlin was the son of Cynric, and Cynric of Cerdic.

((A.D. 688. This year King Caedwalla went to Rome, and received

baptism of Pope Sergius, and he gave him the name of Peter, and

in about seven days afterwards, on the twelfth before the kalends

of May, while he was yet in his baptismal garments, he died: and

he was buried in St. Peter's church. And Ina succeeded to the

kingdom of the West-Saxons after him, and he reigned twenty-seven

years.))

A.D. 690. This year Archbishop Theodore, who had been bishop

twenty-two winters, departed this life, (22) and was buried

within the city of Canterbury. Bertwald, who before this was

abbot of Reculver, on the calends of July succeeded him in the

see; which was ere this filled by Romish bishops, but henceforth

with English. Then were there two kings in Kent, Wihtred and

Webherd.

A.D. 693. This year was Bertwald consecrated archbishop by

Godwin, bishop of the Gauls, on the fifth day before the nones of

July; about which time died Gifmund, who was Bishop of Rochester;

and Archbishop Bertwald consecrated Tobias in his stead. This

year also Dryhtelm (23) retired from the world.

A.D. 694. This year the people of Kent covenanted with Ina, and

gave him 30,000 pounds in friendship, because they had burned his

brother Mull. Wihtred, who succeeded to the kingdom of Kent, and

held it thirty-three winters, was the son of Egbert, Egbert of

Erkenbert, Erkenbert of Eadbald, Eadbald of Ethelbert. And as

soon as he was king, he ordained a great council to meet in the

place that is called Bapchild; in which presided Wihtred, King of

Kent, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Brihtwald, and Bishop Tobias

of Rochester; and with him were collected abbots and abbesses,

and many wise men, all to consult about the advantage of God's

churches that are in Kent. Now began the king to speak, and

said, "I will that all the minsters and the churches, that were

given and bequeathed to the worship of God in the days of

believing kings, my predecessors, and in the days of my relations

of King Ethelbert and of those that followed him -- shall so

remain to the worship of God, and stand fast for evermore. For I

Wihtred, earthly king, urged on by the heavenly king, and with

the spirit of righteousness annealed, have of our progenitors

learned this, that no layman should have any right to possess

himself of any church or of any of the things that belong to the

church. And, therefore, strongly and truly, we set and decree,

and in the name of Almighty God, and of all saints, we forbid all

our succeeding kings, and aldermen, and all lawmen, ever, any

lordship over churches, and over all their appurtenances, which I

or my elders in old days have given for a perpetual inheritance

to the glory of Christ and our Lady St. Mary, and the holy

apostles. And look! when it happeneth, that bishop, or abbot,

or abbess, depart from this life, be it told the archbishop, and

with his counsel and injunction be chosen such as be worthy. And

the life of him, that shall be chosen to so holy a thing, let the

archbishop examine, and his cleanness; and in no wise be chosen

any one, or to so holy a thing consecrated, without the

archbishop's counsel. Kings shall appoint earls, and aldermen,

sheriffs, and judges; but the archbishop shall consult and

provide for God's flock: bishops, and abbots, and abbesses, and

priests, and deacons, he shall choose and appoint; and also

sanctify and confirm with good precepts and example, lest that

any of God's flock go astray and perish --"

A.D. 697. This year the Southumbrians slew Ostritha, the queen

of Ethelred, the sister of Everth.

A.D. 699. This year the Picts slew Alderman Burt.

A.D. 702. This year Kenred assumed the government of the

Southumbrians.

A.D. 703. This year died Bishop Hedda, having held the see of

Winchester twenty-seven winters.

A.D. 704. This year Ethelred, the son of Penda, King of Mercia,

entered into a monastic life, having reigned twenty-nine winters;

and Cenred succeeded to the government.

A.D. 705. This year died Ealdferth, king of the Northumbrians,

on the nineteenth day before the calends of January, at

Driffield; and was succeeded by his son Osred. Bishop Saxulf

also died the same year.

A.D. 709. This year died Aldhelm, who was bishop by Westwood.

The land of the West-Saxons was divided into two bishoprics in

the first days of Bishop Daniel; who held one whilst Aldhelm held

the other. Before this it was only one. Forthere succeeded to

Aldhelm; and Ceolred succeeded to the kingdom of Mercia. And

Cenred went to Rome; and Offa with him. And Cenred was there to

the end of his life. The same year died Bishop Wilferth, at

Oundle, but his body was carried to Ripon. He was the bishop

whom King Everth compelled to go to Rome.

A.D. 710. This year Acca, priest of Wilferth, succeeded to the

bishopric that Wilferth ere held; and Alderman Bertfrith fought

with the Picts between Heugh and Carau. Ina also, and Nun his

relative, fought with Grant, king of the Welsh; and the same year

Hibbald was slain.

A.D. 714. This year died Guthlac the holy, and King Pepin.

A.D. 715. This year Ina and Ceolred fought at Wanborough; (24)

and King Dagobert departed this life.

A.D. 716. This year Osred, king of the Northumbrians, was slain

near the southern borders. He reigned eleven winters after

Ealdferth. Cenred then succeeded to the government, and held it

two years; then Osric, who held it eleven years. This same year

died Ceolred, king of the Mercians. His body lies at Lichfield;

but that of Ethelred, the son of Penda, at Bardney. Ethelbald

then succeeded to the kingdom of Mercia, and held it one and

forty winters. Ethelbald was the son of Alwy, Alwy of Eawa, Eawa

of Webba, whose genealogy is already written. The venerable

Egbert about this time converted the monks of Iona to the right

faith, in the regulation of Easter, and the ecclesiastical

tonsure.

A.D. 718. This year died Ingild, the brother of Ina. Cwenburga

and Cuthburga were their sisters. Cuthburga reared the monastery

of Wimburn; and, though given in marriage to Ealdferth, King of

Northumberland, they parted during their lives.

A.D. 721. This year Bishop Daniel went to Rome; and the same

year Ina slew Cynewulf, the etheling. This year also died the

holy Bishop John; who was bishop thirty-three years, and eight

months, and thirteen days. His body now resteth at Beverley.

A.D. 722. This year Queen Ethelburga destroyed Taunton, which

Ina had formerly built; Ealdbert wandered a wretched exile in

Surrey and Sussex; and Ina fought with the South-Saxons.

A.D. 725. This year died Wihtred, King of Kent, on the ninth day

before the calends of May, after a reign of thirty-two winters.

His pedigree is above; and he was succeeded by Eadbert. Ina this

year also fought with the South-Saxons, and slew Ealdbert, the

etheling, whom he had before driven into exile.

A.D. 727. This year died Tobias, Bishop of Rochester: and

Archbishop Bertwald consecrated Aldulf bishop in his stead.

A.D. 728. This year (25) Ina went to Rome, and there gave up the

ghost. He was succeeded in the kingdom of Wessex by Ethelhard

his relative, who held it fourteen years; but he fought this same

year with Oswald the etheling. Oswald was the son of Ethelbald,

Ethelbald of Cynebald, Cynebald of Cuthwin, Cuthwin of Ceawlin.

A.D. 729. This year appeared the comet-star, and St. Egbert died

in Iona. This year also died the etheling Oswald; and Osric was

slain, who was eleven winters king of Northumberland; to which

kingdom Ceolwulf succeeded, and held it eight years. The said

Ceolwulf was the son of Cutha, Cutha of Cuthwin, Cuthwin of

Leodwald, Leodwald of Egwald, Egwald of Ealdhelm, Ealdhelm of

Occa, Occa of Ida, Ida of Eoppa. Archbishop Bertwald died this

year on the ides of January. He was bishop thirty-seven winters,

and six months, and fourteen days. The same year Tatwine, who

was before a priest at Bredon in Mercia, was consecrated

archbishop by Daniel Bishop of Winchester, Ingwald Bishop of

London, Aldwin Bishop of Lichfield, and Aldulf Bishop of

Rochester, on the tenth day of June. He enjoyed the

archbishopric about three years.

((A.D. 729. And the same year Osric died; he was king eleven

years; then Ceolwulf succeeded to the kingdom, and held it eight

years.))

A.D. 733. This year Ethelbald took Somerton; the sun was

eclipsed; and Acca was driven from his bishopric.

A.D. 734. This year was the moon as if covered with blood; and

Archbishop Tatwine and Bede departed this life; and Egbert was

consecrated bishop.

A.D. 735. This year Bishop Egbert received the pall at Rome.

A.D. 736. This year Archbishop Nothelm received the pall from

the bishop of the Romans.

A.D. 737. This year Bishop Forthere and Queen Frithogitha went

to Rome; and King Ceolwulf received the clerical tonsure, giving

his kingdom to Edbert, his uncle's son: who reigned one and

twenty winters. Bishop Ethelwold and Acca died this year, and

Cynewulf was consecrated bishop. The same year also Ethelbald

ravaged the land of the Northumbrians.

A.D. 738. This year Eadbery, the son of Eata the son of

Leodwald, succeeded to the Northumbrian kingdom, and held it one

and twenty winters. Archbishop Egbert, the son of Eata, was his

brother. They both rest under one porch in the city of York.

A.D. 740. This year died King Ethelhard; and Cuthred, his

relative, succeeded to the West-Saxon kingdom, which he held

fourteen winters, during which time he fought many hard battles

with Ethelbald, king of the Mercians. On the death of Archbishop

Nothelm, Cuthbert was consecrated archbishop, and Dunn, Bishop of

Rochester. This year York was on fire.

A.D. 742. This year there was a large synod assembled at

Cliff's-Hoo; and there was Ethelbald, king of Mercia, with

Archbishop Cuthbert, and many other wise men.

A.D. 743. This year Ethelbald, king of Mercia, and Cuthred, king

of the West-Saxons, fought with the Welsh.

A.D. 744. This year Daniel resigned the see of Winchester; to

which Hunferth was promoted. The stars went swiftly shooting;

and Wilferth the younger, who had been thirty winters Bishop of

York, died on the third day before the calends of May.

A.D. 745. This year died Daniel. Forty-three winters had then

elapsed since he received the episcopal function.

A.D. 746. This year was King Selred slain.

A.D. 748. This year was slain Cynric, etheling of the West-

Saxons; Edbert, King of Kent, died; and Ethelbert, son of King

Wihtred, succeeded to the kingdom.

A.D. 750. This year Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons, fought

with the proud chief Ethelhun.

A.D. 752. This year, the twelfth of his reign, Cuthred, king of

the West-Saxons, fought at Burford (27) with Ethelbald, king of

the Mercians, and put him to flight.

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

against the Welsh.

A.D. 754. This year died Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons; and

Sebright, his relative, succeeded to the kingdom, which he held

one year; Cyneard succeeded Humferth in the see of Winchester;

and Canterbury was this year on fire.

A.D. 755. This year Cynewulf, with the consent of the West-Saxon

council, deprived Sebright, his relative, for unrighteous deeds,

of his kingdom, except Hampshire; which he retained, until he

slew the alderman who remained the longest with him. Then

Cynewulf drove him to the forest of Andred, where he remained,

until a swain stabbed him at Privett, and revenged the alderman,

Cumbra. The same Cynewulf fought many hard battles with the

Welsh; and, about one and thirty winters after he had the

kingdom, he was desirous of expelling a prince called Cyneard,

who was the brother of Sebright. But he having understood that

the king was gone, thinly attended, on a visit to a lady at

Merton, (28) rode after him, and beset him therein; surrounding

the town without, ere the attendants of the king were aware of

him. When the king found this, he went out of doors, and

defended himself with courage; till, having looked on the

etheling, he rushed out upon him, and wounded him severely. Then

were they all fighting against the king, until they had slain

him. As soon as the king's thanes in the lady's bower heard the

tumult, they ran to the spot, whoever was then ready. The

etheling immediately offered them life and rewards; which none of

them would accept, but continued fighting together against him,

till they all lay dead, except one British hostage, and he was

severely wounded. When the king's thanes that were behind heard

in the morning that the king was slain, they rode to the spot,

Osric his alderman, and Wiverth his thane, and the men that he

had left behind; and they met the etheling at the town, where the

king lay slain. The gates, however, were locked against them,

which they attempted to force; but he promised them their own

choice of money and land, if they would grant him the kingdom;

reminding them, that their relatives were already with him, who

would never desert him. To which they answered, that no relative

could be dearer to them than their lord, and that they would

never follow his murderer. Then they besought their relatives to

depart from him, safe and sound. They replied, that the same

request was made to their comrades that were formerly with the

king; "And we are as regardless of the result," they rejoined,

"as our comrades who with the king were slain." Then they

continued fighting at the gates, till they rushed in, and slew

the etheling and all the men that were with him; except one, who

was the godson of the alderman, and whose life he spared, though

he was often wounded. This same Cynewulf reigned one and thirty

winters. His body lies at Winchester, and that of the etheling

at Axminster. Their paternal pedigree goeth in a direct line to

Cerdic. The same year Ethelbald, king of the Mercians, was slain

at Seckington; and his body lies at Repton. He reigned one and

forty years; and Bernred then succeeded to the kingdom, which he

held but a little while, and unprosperously; for King Offa the

same year put him to flight, and assumed the government; which he

held nine and thirty winters. His son Everth held it a hundred

and forty days. Offa was the son of Thingferth, Thingferth of

Enwulf, Enwulf of Osmod, Osmod of Eawa, Eawa of Webba, Webba of

Creoda, Creoda of Cenwald, Cenwald of Cnebba, Cnebba of Icel,

Icel of Eomer, Eomer of Angelthew, Angelthew of Offa, Offa of

Wermund, Wermund of Witley, Witley of Woden.

((A.D. 755. This year Cynewulf deprived King Sigebert of his

kingdom; and Sigebert's brother, Cynehard by name, slew Cynewulf

at Merton; and he reigned thirty-one years. And in the same year

Ethelbald, king of the Mercians, was slain at Repton. And Offa

succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians, Bernred being driven

out.))

A.D. 757. This year Eadbert, king of the Northumbrians, received

the tonsure, and his son Osulf the kingdom; which he held one

year. Him his own domestics slew on the ninth day before the

kalends of August.

A.D. 758. This year died Archbishop Cuthbert. He held the

archbishopric eighteen years.

A.D. 759. This year Bregowin was invested archbishop at

Michaelmas, and continued four years. Mull Ethelwold this year

succeeded to the Northumbrian kingdom, held it six winters, and

then resigned it.

A.D. 760. This year died Ethelbert, King of Kent, who was the

son of King Wihtred, and also of Ceolwulf.

A.D. 761. This year was the severe winter; and Mull, king of the

Northumbrians, slew Oswin at Edwin's-Cliff, on the eighth day

before the ides of August.

A.D. 762. This year died Archbishop Bregowin.

A.D. 763. This year Eanbert was invested archbishop, on the

fortieth day over mid-winter; and Frithwald, Bishop of Whitern,

died on the nones of May. He was consecrated at York, on the

eighteenth day before the calends of September, in the sixth year

of the reign of Ceolwulf, and was bishop nine and twenty winters.

Then was Petwin consecrated Bishop of Whitern at Adlingfleet, on

the sixteenth day before the calends of August.

A.D. 764. This year Archbishop Eanbert received the pall.

A.D. 765. This year Alred succeeded to the kingdom of the

Northumbrians, and reigned eight winters.

A.D. 766. This year died Archbishop Egbert at York, on the

thirteenth day before the calends of December, who was bishop

thirty-six winters; and Frithbert at Hexham, who was bishop there

thirty-four winters. Ethelbert was consecrated to York, and

Elmund to Hexham.

A.D. 768. This year died King Eadbert, the son of Eata, on the

fourteenth day before the calends of September.

A.D. 772. This year died Bishop Mildred.

A.D. 774. This year the Northumbrians banished their king,

Alred, from York at Easter-tide; and chose Ethelred, the son of

Mull, for their lord, who reigned four winters. This year also

appeared in the heavens a red crucifix, after sunset; the

Mercians and the men of Kent fought at Otford; and wonderful

serpents were seen in the land of the South-Saxons.

A.D. 775. This year Cynewulf and Offa fought near Bensington,

and Offa took possession of the town. In the days of this king,

Offa, there was an abbot at Medhamsted, called Beonna; who, with

the consent of all the monks of the minster, let to farm, to

Alderman Cuthbert, ten copyhold lands at Swineshead, with leasow

and with meadow, and with all the appurtenances; provided that

the said Cuthbert gave the said abbot fifty pounds therefore, and

each year entertainment for one night, or thirty shillings in

money; (29) provided also, that after his decease the said lands

should revert to the monastery. The king, Offa, and King Everth,

and Archbishop Hibbert, and Bishop Ceolwulf, and Bishop Inwona,

and Abbot Beonna, and many other bishops, and abbots, and rich

men, were witnesses to this. In the days of this same Offa was

an alderman, of the name of Brorda, who requested the king for

his sake to free his own monastery, called Woking, because he

would give it to Medhamsted and St. Peter, and the abbot that

then was, whose name was Pusa. Pusa succeeded Beonna; and the

king loved him much. And the king freed the monastery of Woking,

against king, against bishop, against earl, and against all men'

so that no man should have any claim there, except St. Peter and

the abbot. This was done at the king's town called

Free-Richburn.

A.D. 776. This year died Bishop Petwin, on the thirteenth day

before the calends of October, having been bishop fourteen

winters. The same year Ethelbert was consecrated Bishop of

Whitern, at York, on the seventeenth day before the calends of

July.

A.D. 778. This year Ethelbald and Herbert slew three high-

sheriffs -- Eldulf, the son of Bosa, at Coniscliff; Cynewulf and

Eggo at Helathyrn -- on the eleventh day before the calends of

April. Then Elwald, having banished Ethelred from his territory,

seized on his kingdom, and reigned ten winters.

A.D. 780. This year a battle was fought between the Old-Saxons

and the Franks; and the high-sheriffs of Northumbria committed to

the flames Alderman Bern at Silton, on the ninth day before the

calends of January. The same year Archbishop Ethelbert died at

York, and Eanbald was consecrated in his stead; Bishop Cynewulf

retired to Holy-island; Elmund, Bishop of Hexham, died on the

seventh day before the ides of September, and Tilbert was

consecrated in his stead, on the sixth day before the nones of

October; Hibbald was consecrated Bishop of Holy-island at

Sockbury; and King Elwald sent to Rome for a pall in behoof of

Archbishop Eanbald.

A.D. 782. This year died Werburga, Queen of Ceolred, and Bishop

Cynewulf, in Holy-island; and the same year there was a synod at

Acley.

A.D. 784. This year Cyneard slew King Cynewulf, and was slain

himself, and eighty-four men with him. Then Bertric undertook

the government of the West-Saxons, and reigned sixteen years.

His body is deposited at Wareham; and his pedigree goeth in a

direct line to Cerdic. At this time reigned Elmund king in Kent,

the father of Egbert; and Egbert was the father of Athulf.

A.D. 785. This year died Bothwin, Abbot of Ripon, and a

litigious synod was holden at Chalk-hythe; Archbishop Eanbert

resigned some part of his bishopric, Hibbert was appointed bishop

by King Offa, and Everth was consecrated king. In the meantime

legates were sent from Rome to England by Pope Adrian, to renew

the blessings of faith and peace which St. Gregory sent us by the

mission of Bishop Augustine, and they were received with every

mark of honour and respect.

A.D. 787. This year King Bertric took Edburga the daughter of

Offa to wife. And in his days came first three ships of the

Northmen from the land of robbers. The reve (30) then rode

thereto, and would drive them to the king's town; for he knew not

what they were; and there was he slain. These were the first

ships of the Danish men that sought the land of the English

nation.

A.D. 788. This year there was a synod assembled at Fingall in

Northumberland, on the fourth day before the nones of September;

and Abbot Albert departed this life.

A.D. 789. This year Elwald, king of the Northumbrians, was slain

by Siga, on the eleventh day before the calends of October; and a

heavenly light was often seen on the spot where he was slain. He

was buried in the church of Hexham; and Osred, the son of Alred,

who was his nephew, succeeded him in the government. This ),ear

there was a synod assembled at Acley.

A.D. 790. This year Archbishop Eanbert died, and Abbot Ethelherd

was chosen archbishop the same year. Osred, king of the

Northumbrians, was betrayed and banished from his kingdom, and

Ethelred, the son of Ethelwald, succeeded him.

A.D. 791. This year Baldulf was consecrated Bishop of Whitern,

on the sixteenth day before the calends of August, by Archbishop

Eanbald and Bishop Ethelbert.

A.D. 792. This year Offa, King of Mercia, commanded that King

Ethelbert should be beheaded; and Osred, who had been king of the

Northumbrians, returning home after his exile, was apprehended

and slain, on the eighteenth day before the calends of October.

His body is deposited at Tinemouth. Ethelred this year, on the

third day before the calends of October, took unto himself a new

wife, whose name was Elfleda.

A.D. 793. This year came dreadful fore-warnings over the land of

the Northumbrians, terrifying the people most woefully: these

were immense sheets of light rushing through the air, and

whirlwinds, and fiery, dragons flying across the firmament.

These tremendous tokens were soon followed by a great famine: and

not long after, on the sixth day before the ides of January in

the same year, the harrowing inroads of heathen men made

lamentable havoc in the church of God in Holy-island, by rapine

and slaughter. Siga died on the eighth day before the calends of

March.

A.D. 794. This year died Pope Adrian; and also Offa, King of

Mercia, on the fourth day before the ides of August, after he had

reigned forty winters. Ethelred, king of the Northumbrians, was

slain by his own people, on the thirteenth day before the calends

of May; in consequence of which, Bishops Ceolwulf and Eadbald

retired from the land. Everth took to the government of Mercia,

and died the same year. Eadbert, whose other name was Pryn,

obtained the kingdom of Kent; and Alderman Ethelherd died on the

calends of August. In the meantime, the heathen armies spread

devastation among the Northumbrians, and plundered the monastery

of King Everth at the mouth of the Wear. There, however, some of

their leaders were slain; and some of their ships also were

shattered to pieces by the violence of the weather; many of the

crew were drowned; and some, who escaped alive to the shore, were

soon dispatched at the mouth of the river.

A.D. 795. This year was the moon eclipsed, between cock-crowing

and dawn, (31) on the fifth day before the calends of April; and

Erdulf succeeded to the Northumbrian kingdom on the second before

the ides of May. He was afterwards consecrated and raised to his

throne, at York, on the seventh day before the calends of June,

by Archbishop Eanbald, and Bishops Ethelbert, Hibbald, and

Baldulf.

A.D. 796. This year died Archbishop Eanbald, on the fourth day

before the ides of August; and his body is deposited at York.

The same year also died Bishop Ceolwulf; and another Eanbald was

consecrated to the see of the former, on the nineteenth day

before the calends of September. About the same time Cynewulf,

King of Mercia, made inroads upon the inhabitants of Kent as far

as the marsh; and the Mercians seized Edbert Pryn, their king,

led him bound into Mercia, and suffered men to pick out his eyes,

and cut off his hands. (32) And Ethelard, Archbishop of

Canterbury, held a synod, wherein he ratified and confirmed, by

command of Pope Leo, all things concerning God's monasteries that

were fixed in Witgar's days, and in other king's days, saying

thus: "I Ethelard, the humble Archbishop of Canterbury, with the

unanimous concurrence of the whole synod, and of all the

congregations of all the minsters, to which in former days

freedom was given by faithful men, in God's name and by his

terrible judgment do decree, as I have command from Pope Leo,

that henceforth none dare to choose them lords from lewd men over

God's inheritance; but, as it is in the writ that the pope has

given, or holy men have settled, our fathers and our teachers,

concerning holy minsters, so they continue untainted without any

resistance. If there is any man that will not observe this

decree of God, of our pope, and of us, but overlooketh it, and

holdeth it for nought, let them know, that they shall give an

account before the judgment-seat of God. And I Ethelard,

archbishop, with twelve bishops, and with three and twenty

abbots, this same with the rood-token of Christ confirm and

fasten."

((A.D. 796. This year Offa, king of the Mercians, died on the

fourth before the kalends of August; he reigned forty years.))

A.D. 797. This year the Romans cut out the tongue of Pope Leo,

put out his eyes, and drove him from his see; but soon after, by

the assistance of God, he could see and speak, and became pope as

he was before. Eanbald also received the pall on the sixth day

before the ides of September, and Bishop Ethelherd died on the

third before the calends of November.

A.D. 798. This year a severe battle was fought in the

Northumbrian territory, during Lent, on the fourth day before the

nones of April, at Whalley; wherein Alric, the son of Herbert,

was slain, and many others with him.

A.D. 799. This year Archbishop Ethelbert, and Cynbert, Bishop of

Wessex, went to Rome. In the meantime Bishop Alfun died at

Sudbury, and was buried at Dunwich. After him Tidfrith was

elected to the see; and Siric, king of the East Saxons, went to

Rome. In this year the body of Witburga was found entire, and

free from decay, at Dercham, after a lapse of five and fifty

years from the period of her decease.

A.D. 800. This year was the moon eclipsed, at eight in the

evening, on the seventeenth day before the calends of February;

and soon after died King Bertric and Alderman Worr. Egbert

succeeded to the West-Saxon kingdom; and the same day Ethelmund,

alderman of the Wiccians, rode over the Thames at Kempsford;

where he was met by Alderman Woxtan, with the men of Wiltshire,

and a terrible conflict ensued, in which both the commanders were

slain, but the men of Wiltshire obtained the victory.

((A.D. 801. This year Beornmod was ordained Bishop of

Rochester.))

A.D. 802. This year was the moon eclipsed, at dawn, on the

thirteenth day before the calends of January; and Bernmod was

consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

A.D. 803. This year died Hibbald, Bishop of Holy-island, on the

twenty-fourth of June, and Egbert was consecrated in his stead,

on the thirteenth of June following. Archbishop Ethelherd also

died in Kent, and Wulfred was chosen archbishop in his stead.

Abbot Forthred, in the course of the same year, departed this

life.

A.D. 804. This year Archbishop Wulfred received his pall.

A.D. 805. This year died King Cuthred in Kent, and Abbess

Colburga, and Alderman Herbert.

A.D. 806. This year was the moon eclipsed, on the first o[

September; Erdwulf, king of the Northumbrians, was banished from

his dominions; and Eanbert, Bishop of Hexham, departed this life.

This year also, on the next day before the nones of June, a cross

was seen in the moon, on a Wednesday, at the dawn; and

afterwards, during the same year, on the third day before the

calends of September, a wonderful circle was displayed about the

sun.

A.D. 807. This year was the sun eclipsed, precisely at eleven in

the morning, on the seventeenth day before the calends of August.

A.D. 812. This year died the Emperor Charlemagne, after a reign

of five and forty winters; and Archbishop Wulfred, accompanied by

Wigbert, Bishop of Wessex, undertook a journey to Rome.

A.D. 813. This year Archbishop Wulfred returned to his own see,

with the blessing of Pope Leo; and King Egbert spread devastation

in Cornwall from east to west.

A.D. 814. This year died Leo, the noble and holy pope; and

Stephen succeeded him in the papal government.

A.D. 816. This year died Pope Stephen; and Paschalis was

consecrated pope after him. This same year the school of the

English nation at Rome was destroyed by fire.

A.D. 819. This year died Cenwulf, King of Mercia; and Ceolwulf

(33) succeeded him. Alderman Eadbert also departed this life.

A.D. 821. This year Ceolwulf was deprived of his kingdom.

A.D. 822. This year two aldermen were slain, whose names were

Burhelm and Mucca; and a synod was holden at Cliff's-Hoo.

A.D. 823. This year a battle was fought between the Welsh in

Cornwall and the people of Devonshire, at Camelford; and in the

course of the same year Egbert, king of the West-Saxons, and

Bernwulf, King of Mercia, fought a battle at Wilton, in which

Egbert gained the victory, but there was great slaughter on both

sides. Then sent he his son Ethelwulf into Kent, with a large

detachment from the main body of the army, accompanied by his

bishop, Elstan, and his alderman, Wulfherd; who drove Baldred,

the king, northward over the Thames. Whereupon the men of Kent

immediately submitted to him; as did also the inhabitants of

Surrey, and Sussex, and Essex; who had been unlawfully kept from

their allegiance by his relatives. The same year also, the king

of the East-Angles, and his subjects besought King Egbert to give

them peace and protection against the terror of the Mercians;

whose king, Bernwulf, they slew in the course of the same year.

A.D. 825. This year Ludecan, King of Mercia, was slain, and his

five aldermen with him; after which Wiglaf succeeded to the

kingdom.

A.D. 827. This year was the moon eclipsed, on mid-winter's mass-

night; and King Egbert, in the course of the same year, conquered

the Mercian kingdom, and all that is south of the Humber, being

the eighth king who was sovereign of all the British dominions.

Ella, king of the South-Saxons, was the first who possessed so

large a territory; the second was Ceawlin, king of the West-

Saxons: the third was Ethelbert, King of Kent; the fourth was

Redwald, king of the East-Angles; the fifth was Edwin, king of

the Northumbrians; the sixth was Oswald, who succeeded him; the

seventh was Oswy, the brother of Oswald; the eighth was Egbert,

king of the West-Saxons. This same Egbert led an army against

the Northumbrians as far as Dore, where they met him, and offered

terms of obedience and subjection, on the acceptance of which

they returned home.

A.D. 828. This year Wiglaf recovered his Mercian kingdom, and

Bishop Ethelwald departed this life. The same year King Egbert

led an army against the people of North-Wales, and compelled them

all to peaceful submission.

A.D. 829. This year died Archbishop Wulfred; and Abbot Feologild

was after him chosen to the see, on the twenty-fifth of April,

and consecrated on a Sunday, the eleventh of June. On the

thirteenth of August he was dead!

A.D. 830. This year Ceolnoth was chosen and consecrated

archbishop on the death of Abbot Feologild.

A.D. 831. This year Archbishop Ceolnoth received the pall.

A.D. 832. This year heathen men overran the Isle of Shepey.

A.D. 833. This year fought King Egbert with thirty-five pirates

at Charmouth, where a great slaughter was made, and the Danes

remained masters of the field. Two bishops, Hereferth and Wigen,

and two aldermen, Dudda and Osmod, died the same year.

A.D. 835. This year came a great naval armament into West-Wales,

where they were joined by the people, who commenced war against

Egbert, the West-Saxon king. When he heard this, he proceeded

with his army against them and fought with them at Hengeston,

where he put to flight both the Welsh and the Danes.

A.D. 836. This year died King Egbert. Him Offa, King of Mercia,

and Bertric, the West-Saxon king, drove out of England into

France three years before he was king. Bertric assisted Offa

because he had married his daughter. Egbert having afterwards

returned, reigned thirty-seven winters and seven months. Then

Ethelwulf, the son of Egbert, succeeded to the West-Saxon

kingdom; and he gave his son Athelstan the kingdom of Kent, and

of Essex, and of Surrey, and of Sussex.

A.D. 837. This year Alderman Wulfherd fought at Hamton with

thirty-three pirates, and after great slaughter obtained the

victory, but he died the same year. Alderman Ethelhelm also,

with the men of Dorsetshire, fought with the Danish army in

Portland-isle, and for a good while put them to flight; but in

the end the Danes became masters of the field, and slew the

alderman.

A.D. 838. This year Alderman Herbert was slain by the heathens,

and many men with him, among the Marshlanders. The same year,

afterwards, in Lindsey, East-Anglia, and Kent, were many men

slain by the army.

A.D. 839. This year there was great slaughter in London,

Canterbury, and Rochester.

A.D. 840. This year King Ethelwulf fought at Charmouth with

thirty-five ship's-crews, and the Danes remained masters of the

place. The Emperor Louis died this year.

A.D. 845. This year Alderman Eanwulf, with the men of

Somersetshire, and Bishop Ealstan, and Alderman Osric, with the

men of Dorsetshire, fought at the mouth of the Parret with the

Danish army; and there, after making a great slaughter, obtained

the victory.

A.D. 851. This year Alderman Ceorl, with the men of Devonshire,

fought the heathen army at Wemburg, and after making great

slaughter obtained the victory. The same year King Athelstan and

Alderman Elchere fought in their ships, and slew a large army at

Sandwich in Kent, taking nine ships and dispersing the rest. The

heathens now for the first time remained over winter in the Isle

of Thanet. The same year came three hundred and fifty ships into

the mouth of the Thames; the crew of which went upon land, and

stormed Canterbury and London; putting to flight Bertulf, king of

the Mercians, with his army; and then marched southward over the

Thames into Surrey. Here Ethelwulf and his son Ethelbald, at the

head of the West-Saxon army, fought with them at Ockley, and made

the greatest slaughter of the heathen army that we have ever

heard reported to this present day. There also they obtained the

victory.

A.D. 852. About this time Abbot Ceolred of Medhamsted, with the

concurrence of the monks, let to hand the land of Sempringham to

Wulfred, with the provision, that after his demise the said land

should revert to the monastery; that Wulfred should give the land

of Sleaford to Meohamsted, and should send each year into the

monastery sixty loads of wood, twelve loads of coal, six loads of

peat, two tuns full of fine ale, two neats' carcases, six hundred

loaves, and ten kilderkins of Welsh ale; one horse also each

year, and thirty shillings, and one night's entertainment. This

agreement was made in the presence of King Burhred. Archbishop

Ceolnoth, Bishops Tunbert, Kenred, Aldhun, and Bertred; Abbots

Witred and Weftherd, Aldermen Ethelherd and Hunbert, and many

others.

A.D. 853. This year Burhred, King of Mercia, with his council,

besought King Ethelwulf to assist him to subdue North-Wales. He

did so; and with an army marched over Mercia into North-Wales,

and made all the inhabitants subject to him. The same year King

Ethelwulf sent his son Alfred to Rome; and Leo, who was then

pope, consecrated him king, and adopted him as his spiritual son.

The same year also Elchere with the men of Kent, and Huda with

the men of Surrey, fought in the Isle of Thanet with the heathen

army, and soon obtained the victory; but there were many men

slain and drowned on either hand, and both the aldermen killed.

Burhred, the Mercian king, about this time received in marriage

the daughter of Ethelwulf, king of the West-Saxons.

A.D. 854. This year the heathen men (34) for the first time

remained over winter in the Isle of Shepey. The same year King

Ethelwulf registered a TENTH of his land over all his kingdom for

the honour of God and for his own everlasting salvation. The

same year also he went to Rome with great pomp, and was resident

there a twelvemonth. Then he returned homeward; and Charles,

king of the Franks, gave him his daughter, whose name was Judith,

to be his queen. After this he came to his people, and they were

fain to receive him; but about two years after his residence

among the Franks he died; and his body lies at Winchester. He

reigned eighteen years and a half. And Ethelwulf was the son of

Egbert, Egbert of Ealhmund, Ealhmund of Eafa, Eafa of Eoppa,

Eoppa of Ingild; Ingild was the brother of Ina, king of the

West-Saxons, who held that kingdom thirty-seven winters, and

afterwards went to St. Peter, where he died. And they were the

sons of Cenred, Cenred of Ceolwald, Ceolwald of Cutha, Cutha of

Cuthwin, Cuthwin of Ceawlin, Ceawlin of Cynric, Cynric of Creoda,

Creoda of Cerdic, Cerdic of Elesa, Elesa of Esla, Esla of Gewis,

Gewis of Wig, Wig of Freawine, Freawine of Frithugar, Frithugar

of Brond, Brond of Balday, Balday of Woden, Woden of Frithuwald,

Frithuwald of Freawine, Freawine of Frithuwualf, Frithuwulf of

Finn, Finn of Godwulf, Godwulf of Great, Great of Taetwa, Taetwa

of Beaw, Beaw of Sceldwa, Sceldwa of Heremod, Heremod of Itermon,

Itermon of Hathra, Hathra of Hwala, Hwala of Bedwig, Bedwig of

Sceaf; that is, the son of Noah, who was born in Noah's ark:

Laznech, Methusalem, Enoh, Jared, Malalahel, Cainion, Enos, Seth,

Adam the first man, and our Father, that is, Christ. Amen. Then

two sons of Ethelwulf succeeded to the kingdom; Ethelbald to

Wessex, and Ethelbert to Kent, Essex, Surrey, and Sussex.

Ethelbald reigned five years. Alfred, his third son, Ethelwulf

had sent to Rome; and when the pope heard say that he was dead,

he consecrated Alfred king, and held him under spiritual hands,

as his father Ethelwulf had desired, and for which purpose he had

sent him thither.

((A.D. 855. And on his return homewards he took to (wife) the

daughter of Charles, king of the French, whose name was Judith,

and he came home safe. And then in about two years he died, and

his body lies at Winchester: and he reigned eighteen years and a

half, and he was the son of Egbert. And then his two sons

succeeded to the kingdom; Ethelbald to the kingdom of the

West-Saxons, and Ethelbert to the kingdom of the Kentish-men, and

of the East-Saxons, and of Surrey, and of the South-Saxons. And

he reigned five years.))

A.D. 860. This year died King Ethelbald, and his body lies at

Sherborn. Ethelbert his brother then succeeded to the whole

kingdom, and held it in good order and great tranquillity. In

his days came a large naval force up into the country, and

stormed Winchester. But Alderman Osric, with the command of

Hampshire, and Alderman Ethelwulf, with the command of Berkshire,

fought against the enemy, and putting them to flight, made

themselves masters of the field of battle. The said Ethelbert

reigned five years, and his body lies at Sherborn.

A.D. 861. This year died St. Swithun, bishop.

A.D. 865. This year sat the heathen army in the isle of Thanet,

and made peace with the men of Kent, who promised money

therewith; but under the security of peace, and the promise of

money, the army in the night stole up the country, and overran

all Kent eastward.

A.D. 866. This year Ethered, (35) brother of Ethelbert, took to

the West-Saxon government; and the same year came a large heathen

army into England, and fixed their winter-quarters in East-

Anglia, where they were soon horsed; and the inhabitants made

peace with them.

A.D. 867. This year the army went from the East-Angles over the

mouth of the Humber to the Northumbrians, as far as York. And

there was much dissension in that nation among themselves; they

had deposed their king Osbert, and had admitted Aella, who had no

natural claim. Late in the year, however, they returned to their

allegiance, and they were now fighting against the common enemy;

having collected a vast force, with which they fought the army at

York; and breaking open the town, some of them entered in. Then

was there an immense slaughter of the Northumbrians, some within

and some without; and both the kings were slain on the spot. The

survivors made peace with the army. The same year died Bishop

Ealstan, who had the bishopric of Sherborn fifty winters, and his

body lies in the town.

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

Nottingham, and there fixed their winter-quarters; and Burhred,

king of the Mercians, with his council, besought Ethered, king of

the West-Saxons, and Alfred, his brother; that they would assist

them in fighting against the army. And they went with the West-

Saxon army into Mercia as far as Nottingham, and there meeting

the army on the works, they beset them within. But there was no

heavy fight; for the Mercians made peace with the army.

A.D. 869. This year the army went back to York, and sat there a

year.

A.D. 870. This year the army rode over Mercia into East-Anglia,

and there fixed their winter-quarters at Thetford. And in the

winter King Edmund fought with them; but the Danes gained the

victory, and slew the king; whereupon they overran all that land,

and destroyed all the monasteries to which they came. The names

of the leaders who slew the king were Hingwar and Hubba. At the

same time came they to Medhamsted, burning and breaking, and

slaying abbot and monks, and all that they there found. They

made such havoc there, that a monastery, which was before full

rich, was now reduced to nothing. The same year died Archbishop

Ceolnoth; and Ethered, Bishop of Witshire, was chosen Archbishop

of Canterbury.

A.D. 871. This year came the army to Reading in Wessex; and in

the course of three nights after rode two earls up, who were met

by Alderman Ethelwulf at Englefield; where he fought with them,

and obtained the victory. There one of them was slain, whose

name was Sidrac. About four nights after this, King Ethered and

Alfred his brother led their main army to Reading, where they

fought with the enemy; and there was much slaughter on either

hand, Alderman Ethelwulf being among the skain; but the Danes

kept possession of the field. And about four nights after this,

King Ethered and Alfred his brother fought with all the army on

Ashdown, and the Danes were overcome. They had two heathen

kings, Bagsac and Healfden, and many earls; and they were in two

divisions; in one of which were Bagsac and Healfden, the heathen

kings, and in the other were the earls. King Ethered therefore

fought with the troops of the kings, and there was King Bagsac

slain; and Alfred his brother fought with the troops of the

earls, and there were slain Earl Sidrac the elder, Earl Sidrac

the younger, Earl Osbern, Earl Frene, and Earl Harold. They

put both the troops to flight; there were many thousands of the

slain, and they continued fighting till night. Within a

fortnight of this, King Ethered and Alfred his brother fought

with the army at Basing; and there the Danes had the victory.

About two months after this, King Ethered and Alfred his brother

fought with the army at Marden. They were in two divisions; and

they put them both to flight, enjoying the victory for some time

during the day; and there was much slaughter on either hand; but

the Danes became masters of the field; and there was slain Bishop

Heahmund, with many other good men. After this fight came a vast

army in the summer to Reading. And after the Easter of this year

died King Ethered. He reigned five years, and his body lies at

Winburn-minster. Then Alfred, his brother, the son of Ethelwulf,

took to the kingdom of Wessex. And within a month of this, King

Alfred fought against all the Army with a small force at Wilton,

and long pursued them during the day; but the Danes got

possession of the field. This year were nine general battles

fought with the army in the kingdom south of the Thames; besides

those skirmishes, in which Alfred the king's brother, and every

single alderman, and the thanes of the king, oft rode against

them; which were accounted nothing. This year also were slain

nine earls, and one king; and the same year the West-Saxons made

peace with the army.

((A.D. 871. And the Danish-men were overcome; and they had two

heathen kings, Bagsac and Halfdene, and many earls; and there was

King Bagsac slain, and these earls; Sidrac the elder, and also

Sidrac the younger, Osbern, Frene, and Harold; and the army was

put to flight.))

A.D. 872. This year went the army to London from Reading, and

there chose their winter-quarters. Then the Mercians made peace

with the army.

A.D. 873. This year went the army against the Northumbrians, and

fixed their winter-quarters at Torksey in Lindsey. And the

Mercians again made peace with the army.

A.D. 874. This year went the army from Lindsey to Repton, and

there took up their winter-quarters, drove the king, Burhred,

over sea, when he had reigned about two and twenty winters, and

subdued all that land. He then went to Rome, and there remained

to the end of his life. And his body lies in the church of

Sancta Maria, in the school of the English nation. And the same

year they gave Ceolwulf, an unwise king's thane, the Mercian

kingdom to hold; and he swore oaths to them, and gave hostages,

that it should be ready for them on whatever day they would have

it; and he would be ready with himself, and with all those that

would remain with him, at the service of the army.

A.D. 875. This year went the army from Repton; and Healfden

advanced with some of the army against the Northumbrians, and

fixed his winter-quarters by the river Tine. The army then

subdued that land, and oft invaded the Picts and the

Strathclydwallians. Meanwhile the three kings, Guthrum, Oskytel,

and Anwind, went from Repton to Cambridge with a vast army, and

sat there one year. This summer King Alfred went out to sea with

an armed fleet, and fought with seven ship-rovers, one of whom he

took, and dispersed the others.

A.D. 876. This year Rolla penetrated Normandy with his army; and

he reigned fifty winters. And this year the army stole into

Wareham, a fort of the West-Saxons. The king afterwards made

peace with them; and they gave him as hostages those who were

worthiest in the army; and swore with oaths on the holy bracelet,

which they would not before to any nation, that they would

readily go out of his kingdom. Then, under colour of this, their

cavalry stole by night into Exeter. The same year Healfden

divided the land of the Northumbrians; so that they became

afterwards their harrowers and plowers.

((A.D. 876. And in this same year the army of the Danes in

England swore oaths to King Alfred upon the holy ring, which

before they would not do to any nation; and they delivered to the

king hostages from among the most distinguished men of the army,

that they would speedily depart from his kingdom; and that by

night they broke.))

A.D. 877. This year came the Danish army into Exeter from

Wareham; whilst the navy sailed west about, until they met with a

great mist at sea, and there perished one hundred and twenty

ships at Swanwich. (36) Meanwhile King Alfred with his army rode

after the cavalry as far as Exeter; but he could not overtake

them before their arrival in the fortress, where they could not

be come at. There they gave him as many hostages as he required,

swearing with solemn oaths to observe the strictest amity. In

the harvest the army entered Mercia; some of which they divided

among them, and some they gave to Ceolwulf.

A.D. 878. This year about mid-winter, after twelfth-night, the

Danish army stole out to Chippenham, and rode over the land of

the West-Saxons; where they settled, and drove many of the people

over sea; and of the rest the greatest part they rode down, and

subdued to their will; -- ALL BUT ALFRED THE KING. He, with a

little band, uneasily sought the woods and fastnesses of the

moors. And in the winter of this same year the brother of

Ingwar and Healfden landed in Wessex, in Devonshire, with three

and twenty ships, and there was he slain, and eight hundred men

with him, and forty of his army. There also was taken the war-

flag, which they called the RAVEN. In the Easter of this year

King Alfred with his little force raised a work at Athelney; from

which he assailed the army, assisted by that part of

Somersetshire which was nighest to it. Then, in the seventh week

after Easter, he rode to Brixton by the eastern side of Selwood;

and there came out to meet him all the people of

Somersersetshire, and Wiltshire, and that part of Hampshire which

is on this side of the sea; and they rejoiced to see him. Then

within one night he went from this retreat to Hey; and within one

night after he proceeded to Heddington; and there fought with all

the army, and put them to flight, riding after them as far as the

fortress, where he remained a fortnight. Then the army gave him

hostages with many oaths, that they would go out of his kingdom.

They told him also, that their king would receive baptism. And

they acted accordingly; for in the course of three weeks after,

King Guthrum, attended by some thirty of the worthiest men that

were in the army, came to him at Aller, which is near Athelney,

and there the king became his sponsor in baptism; and his

crisom-leasing was at Wedmor. He was there twelve nights with

the king, who honoured him and his attendants with many presents.

A.D. 879. This year went the army from Chippenham to

Cirencester, and sat there a year. The same year assembled a

band of pirates, and sat at Fulham by the Thames. The same year

also the sun was eclipsed one hour of the day.

A.D. 880. This year went the army from Cirencester into East-

Anglia, where they settled, and divided the land. The same year

went the army over sea, that before sat at Fulham, to Ghent in

Frankland, and sat there a year.

A.D. 881. This year went the army higher up into Frankland, and

the Franks fought with them; and there was the army horsed after

the battle.

A.D. 882. This year went the army up along the Maese far into

Frankland, and there sat a year; and the same year went King

Alfred out to sea with a fleet; and fought with four ship-rovers

of the Danes, and took two of their ships; wherein all the men

were slain; and the other two surrendered; but the men were

severely cut and wounded ere they surrendered.

A.D. 883. This year went the army up the Scheldt to Conde, and

there sat a year. And Pope Marinus sent King Alfred the "lignum

Domini". The same year led Sighelm and Athelstan to Rome the

alms which King Alfred ordered thither, and also in India to St.

Thomas and to St. Bartholomew. Then they sat against the army at

London; and there, with the favour of God, they were very

successful after the performance of their vows.

A.D. 884. This year went the army up the Somne to Amiens, and

there remained a year. This year died the benevolent Bishop

Athelwold.

A.D. 885. This year separated the before-mentioned army in two;

one part east, another to Rochester. This city they surrounded,

and wrought another fortress around themselves. The people,

however, defended the city, until King Alfred came out with his

army. Then went the enemy to their ships, and forsook their

work. There were they provided with horses; and soon after, in

the same summer, they went over sea again. The same year sent

King Alfred a fleet from Kent into East-Anglia. As soon as they

came to Stourmouth, there met them sixteen ships of the pirates.

And they fought with them, took all the ships, and slew the men.

As they returned homeward with their booty, they met a large

fleet of the pirates, and fought with them the same day; but the

Danes had the victory. The same year, ere midwinter, died

Charles, king of the Franks. He was slain by a boar; and one

year before his brother died, who had also the Western kingdom.

They were both the sons of Louis, who also had the Western

kingdom, and died the same year that the sun was eclipsed. He

was the son of that Charles whose daughter Ethelwulf, king of the

West-Saxons, had to wife. And the same year collected a great

fleet against Old-Saxony; and there was a great fight twice in

the year, and the Saxons had the victory. There were the

Frieslanders with them. And the same year succeeded Charles to

the Western kingdom, and to all the territory this side of the

Mediterranean and beyond, as his great-grandfather held it,

except the Lidwiccians. The said Charles was the son of Louis,

who was the brother of that Charles who was the father of Judith,

whom Ethelwulf, king of the West-Saxons, married. They were the

sons of Louis, who was the son of the elder Charles, who was the

son of Pepin. The same year died the good Pope Martin, who freed

the English school at the request of Alfred, king of the

West-Saxons. And he sent him great gifts in relics, and a part

of the rood on which Christ suffered. And the same year the army

in East-Anglia brake the truce with King Alfred.

A.D. 886. This year went the army back again to the west, that

before were bent eastward; and proceeding upwards along the

Seine, fixed their winter-quarters in the city of Paris. (37)

The same year also King Alfred fortified the city of London; and

the whole English nation turned to him, except that part of it

which was held captive by the Danes. He then committed the city

to the care of Alderman Ethered, to hold it under him.

A.D. 887. This year the army advanced beyond the bridge at

Paris; (38) and then upwards, along the Seine, to the Marne.

Then upwards on the Marne as far as Chezy; and in their two

stations, there and on the Yonne, they abode two winters. This

same year died Charles, king of the Franks. Arnulf, his

brother's son, had six weeks before his death bereft him of his

kingdom; which was now divided into five portions, and five kings

were consecrated thereto. This, however, was done with the

consent of Arnulf; and they agreed that they should hold in

subjection to him; because none of them had by birth any claim on

the father's side, except him alone. Arnulf, therefore, dwelt in

the country eastward of the Rhine; Rodulf took to the middle

district; Oda to the western; whilst Berenger and Witha became

masters of Lombardy and the Cisalpine territory. But they held

their dominion in great discord; fought two general battles, and

frequently overran the country in partial encounters, displacing

each other several times. The same year also, in which the

Danish army advanced beyond the bridge at Paris, Alderman

Ethelhelm led the alms of the West-Saxons and of King Alfred to

Rome.

A.D. 888. This year Alderman Beeke conducted the alms of the

West-Saxons and of King Alfred to Rome; but Queen Ethelswith, who

was the sister of King Alfred, died on the way to Rome; and her

body lies at Pavia. The same year also Ethered, Archbishop of

Canterbury and Alderman Ethelwold, died in one month.

A.D. 889. This year there was no journey to Rome; except that

King Alfred sent two messengers with letters.

A.D. 890. This year Abbot Bernhelm conducted the alms of the

West-Saxons and of King Alfred to Rome; and Guthrum, king of the

Northern men, departed this life, whose baptismal name was

Athelstan. He was the godson of King Alfred; and he abode among

the East-Angles, where he first established a settlement. The

same year also went the army from the Seine to Saint Lo, which is

between the Bretons and the Franks; where the Bretons fought with

them, obtained the victory, and drove them out into a river, in

which many of them were drowned. This year also was Plegmund

chosen by God and all his saints to the archbishopric in

Canterbury.

A.D. 891. This year went the army eastward; and King Arnulf

fought with the land-force, ere the ships arrived, in conjunction

with the eastern Franks, and Saxons, and Bavarians, and put them

to flight. And three Scots came to King Alfred in a boat without

any oars from Ireland; whence they stole away, because they would

live in a state of pilgrimage, for the love of God, they recked

not where. The boat in which they came was made of two hides and

a half; and they took with them provisions for seven nights; and

within seven nights they came to land in Cornwall, and soon after

went to King Alfred. They were thus named: Dubslane, and

Macbeth, and Maelinmun. And Swinney, the best teacher that was

among the Scots, departed this life. And the same year after

Easter, about the gang-days or before, appeared the star that men

in book-Latin call "cometa": some men say that in English it may

be termed "hairy star"; for that there standeth off from it a

long gleam of light, whilom on one side, whilom on each.

A.D. 893. This year went the large army, that we before spoke

about, back from the eastern district westward to Bologne; and

there were shipped; so that they transported themselves over at

one time with their horses withal. And they came up with two

hundred and fifty ships into the mouth of the Limne, which is in

East-Kent, at the east end of the vast wood that we call Andred.

This wood is in length, east and west, one hundred and twenty

miles, or longer, and thirty miles broad. The river that we

before spoke about lieth out of the weald. On this river they

towed up their ships as far as the weald, four miles from the

mouth outwards; and there destroyed a fort within the fen,

whereon sat a few churls, and which was hastily wrought. Soon

after this came Hasten up with eighty ships into the mouth of the

Thames, and wrought him there a work at Milton, and the other

army at Appledore.

A.D. 894. This year, that was about twelve months after they had

wrought a work in the eastern district, the Northumbrians and

East-Angles had given oaths to King Alfred, and the East-Angles

six hostages; nevertheless, contrary to the truce, as oft as the

other plunderers went out with all their army, then went they

also, either with them, or in a separate division. Upon this

King Alfred gathered his army, and advanced, so that he encamped

between the two armies at the highest point he could find

defended by wood and by water, that he might reach either, if

they would seek any field. Then went they forth in quest of the

wealds, in troops and companies, wheresoever the country was

defenceless. But they were also sought after most days by other

companies, either by day or by night, both from the army and also

from the towns. The king had divided his army into two parts; so

that they were always half at home, half out; besides the men

that should maintain the towns. The army came not all out of

their stations more than twice; once, when they first came to

land, ere the forces were collected, and again, when they wished

to depart from their stations. They had now seized much booty,

and would ferry it northward over Thames into Essex, to meet

their ships. But the army rode before them, fought with them at

Farnham, routed their forces, and there arrested the booty. And

they flew over Thames without any ford, then up by the Colne on

an island. Then the king's forces beset them without as long as

they had food; but they had their time set, and their meat noted.

And the king was advancing thitherwards on his march with the

division that accompanied him. But while he was advancing

thitherwards, the other force was returning homewards. The

Danes, however, still remained behind; for their king was wounded

in the fight, so that they could not carry him. Then collected

together those that dwell in Northumbria and East-Anglia about a

hundred ships, and went south about; and with some forty more

went north about, and besieged a fort in Devonshire by the north

sea; and those who went south about beset Exeter. When the king

heard that, then went he west towards Exeter with all his force,

except a very considerable part of the eastern army, who advanced

till they came to London; and there being joined by the citizens

and the reinforcements that came from the west, they went east to

Barnfleet. Hasten was there with his gang, who before were

stationed at Milton, and also the main army had come thither,

that sat before in the mouth of the Limne at Appledore. Hasten

had formerly constructed that work at Barnfleet, and was then

gone out on plunder, the main army being at home. Then came the

king's troops, and routed the enemy, broke down the work, took

all that was therein money, women, and children and brought all

to London. And all the ships they either broke to pieces, or

burned, or brought to London or to Rochester. And Hasten's wife

and her two sons they brought to the king, who returned them to

him, because one of them was his godson, and the other Alderman

Ethered's. They had adopted them ere Hasten came to Bamfleet;

when he had given them hostages and oaths, and the king had also

given him many presents; as he did also then, when he returned

the child and the wife. And as soon as they came to Bamfleet,

and the work was built, then plundered he in the same quarter of

his kingdom that Ethered his compeer should have held; and at

another time he was plundering in the same district when his work

was destroyed. The king then went westward with the army toward

Exeter, as I before said, and the army had beset the city; but

whilst he was gone they went to their ships. Whilst he was thus

busied there with the army, in the west, the marauding parties

were both gathered together at Shobury in Essex, and there built

a fortress. Then they both went together up by the Thames, and a

great concourse joined them, both from the East-Angles and from

the Northumbrians. They then advanced upward by the Thames, till

they arrived near the Severn. Then they proceeded upward by the

Severn. Meanwhile assembled Alderman Ethered, Alderman Ethelm,

Alderman Ethelnoth, and the king's thanes, who were employed at

home at the works, from every town east of the Parret, as well as

west of Selwood, and from the parts east and also north of the

Thames and west of the Severn, and also some part of North-Wales.

When they were all collected together, they overtook the rear of

the enemy at Buttington on the banks of the Severn, and there

beset them without on each side in a fortress. When they had sat

there many weeks on both sides of the water, and the king

meanwhile was in Devonshire westward with the naval force, then

were the enemy weighed down with famine. They had devoured the

greater part of their horses; and the rest had perished with

hunger. Then went they out to the men that sat on the eastern

side of the river, and fought with them; but the Christians had

the victory. And there Ordhelm, the king's thane, was slain; and

also many other king's thanes; and of the Danes there were many

slain, and that part of them that came away escaped only by

flight. As soon as they came into Essex to their fortress, and

to their ships, then gathered the remnant again in East-Anglia

and from the Northumbrians a great force before winter, and

having committed their wives and their ships and their booty to

the East-Angles, they marched on the stretch by day and night,

till they arrived at a western city in Wirheal that is called

Chester. There the army could not overtake them ere they arrived

within the work: they beset the work though, without, some two

days, took all the cattle that was thereabout, slew the men whom

they could overtake without the work, and all the corn they

either burned or consumed with their horses every evening. That

was about a twelvemonth since they first came hither over sea.

A.D. 895. Soon after that, in this year, went the army from

Wirheal into North-Wales; for they could not remain there,

because they were stripped both of the cattle and the corn that

they had acquired by plunder. When they went again out of North-

Wales with the booty they had acquired there, they marched over

Northumberland and East-Anglia, so that the king's army could not

reach them till they came into Essex eastward, on an island that

is out at sea, called Mersey. And as the army returned homeward

that had beset Exeter, they went up plundering in Sussex nigh

Chichester; but the townsmen put them to flight, and slew many

hundreds of them, and took some of their ships. Then, in the

same year, before winter, the Danes, who abode in Mersey, towed

their ships up on the Thames, and thence up the Lea. That was

about two years after that they came hither over sea.

A.D. 896. This same year wrought the aforesaid army a work by

the Lea, twenty miles above the city of London. Then. in the

summer of this year, went a large party of the citizens. and also

of other folk, and made an attack on the work of the Danes; but

they were there routed, and some four of the king's thanes were

slain. In the harvest afterward the king encamped close to the

city, whilst they reaped their corn, that the Danes might not

deprive them of the crop. Then, some day, rode the king up by

the river; and observed a place where the river might be

obstructed, so that they could not bring out their ships. And

they did so. They wrought two works on the two sides of the

river. And when they had begun the work, and encamped before it,

then understood the army that they could not bring out their

ships. Whereupon they left them, and went over land, till they

came to Quatbridge by Severn; and there wrought a work. Then

rode the king's army westward after the enemy. And the men of

London fetched the ships; and all that they could not lead away

they broke up; but all that were worthy of capture they brought

into the port of London. And the Danes procured an asylum for

their wives among the East-Angles, ere they went out of the fort.

During the winter they abode at Quatbridge. That was about three

years since they came hither over sea into the mouth of the

Limne.

A.D. 897. In the summer of this year went the army, some into

East-Anglia, and some into Northumbria; and those that were

penniless got themselves ships, and went south over sea to the

Seine. The enemy had not, thank God. entirely destroyed the

English nation; but they were much more weakened in these three

years by the disease of cattle, and most of all of men; so that

many of the mightiest of the king's thanes. that were in the

land, died within the three years. Of these. one was Swithulf

Bishop of Rochester, Ceolmund alderman in Kent, Bertulf alderman

in Essex, Wulfred alderman in Hampshire, Elhard Bishop of

Dorchester, Eadulf a king's thane in Sussex, Bernuff governor of

Winchester, and Egulf the king's horse-thane; and many also with

them; though I have named only the men of the highest rank. This

same year the plunderers in East-Anglia and Northumbria greatly

harassed the land of the West-Saxons by piracies on the southern

coast, but most of all by the esks which they built many years

before. Then King Alfred gave orders for building long ships

against the esks, which were full-nigh twice as long as the

others. Some had sixty oars, some more; and they were both

swifter and steadier, and also higher than the others. They were

not shaped either after the Frisian or the Danish model, but so

as he himself thought that they might be most serviceable. Then,

at a certain turn of this same year, came six of their ships to

the Isle of Wight; and going into Devonshire, they did much

mischief both there and everywhere on the seacoast. Then

commanded the king his men to go out against them with nine of

the new ships, and prevent their escape by the mouth of the river

to the outer sea. Then came they out against them with three

ships, and three others were standing upwards above the mouth on

dry land: for the men were gone off upon shore. Of the first

three ships they took two at the mouth outwards, and slew the

men; the third veered off, but all the men were slain except

five; and they too were severely wounded. Then came onward those

who manned the other ships, which were also very uneasily

situated. Three were stationed on that side of the deep where

the Danish ships were aground, whilst the others were all on the

opposite side; so that none of them could join the rest; for the

water had ebbed many furlongs from them. Then went the Danes

from their three ships to those other three that were on their

side, be-ebbed; and there they then fought. There were slain

Lucomon, the king's reve, and Wulfheard, a Frieslander; Ebb, a

Frieslander, and Ethelere, a Frieslander; and Ethelferth, the

king's neat-herd; and of all the men, Frieslanders and English,

sixty-two; of the Danes a hundred and twenty. The tide, however,

reached the Danish ships ere the Christians could shove theirs

out; whereupon they rowed them out; but they were so crippled,

that they could not row them beyond the coast of Sussex: there

two of them the sea drove ashore; and the crew were led to

Winchester to the king, who ordered them to be hanged. The men

who escaped in the single ship came to East-Anglia, severely

wounded. This same year were lost no less than twenty ships, and

the men withal, on the southern coast. Wulfric, the king's

horse-thane, who was also viceroy of Wales, died the same year.

A.D. 898. This year died Ethelm, alderman of Wiltshire, nine

nights before midsummer; and Heahstan, who was Bishop of London.

A.D. 901. This year died ALFRED, the son of Ethelwulf, six

nights before the mass of All Saints. He was king over all the

English nation, except that part that was under the power of the

Danes. He held the government one year and a half less than

thirty winters; and then Edward his son took to the government.

Then Prince Ethelwald, the son of his paternal uncle, rode

against the towns of Winburn and of Twineham, without leave of

the king and his council. Then rode the king with his army; so

that he encamped the same night at Badbury near Winburn; and

Ethelwald remained within the town with the men that were under

him, and had all the gates shut upon him, saying, that he would

either there live or there die. But in the meantime he stole

away in the night, and sought the army in Northumberland. The

king gave orders to ride after him; but they were not able to

overtake him. The Danes, however, received him as their king.

They then rode after the wife that Ethelwald had taken without

the king's leave, and against the command of the bishops; for she

was formerly consecrated a nun. In this year also died Ethered,

who was alderman of Devonshire, four weeks before King Alfred.

A.D. 902. This year was the great fight at the Holme (39)

between the men of Kent and the Danes.

((A.D. 902. This year Elswitha died.))

A.D. 903. This year died Alderman Ethelwulf, the brother of

Elhswitha, mother of King Edward; and Virgilius abbot of the

Scots; and Grimbald the mass-priest; on the eighth day of July.

This same year was consecrated the new minster at Winchester, on

St. Judoc's advent.

A.D. 904. This year came Ethelwald hither over sea with all the

fleet that he could get, and he was submitted to in Essex. This

year the moon was eclipsed.

A.D. 905. This year Ethelwald enticed the army in East-Anglia to

rebellion; so that they overran all the land of Mercia, until

they came to Cricklade, where they forded the Thames; and having

seized, either in Bradon or thereabout, all that they could lay

their hands upon, they went homeward again. King Edward went

after, as soon as he could gather his army, and overran all their

land between the foss and the Ouse quite to the fens northward.

Then being desirous of returning thence, he issued an order

through the whole army, that they should all go out at once. But

the Kentish men remained behind, contrary to his order, though he

had sent seven messengers to them. Whereupon the army surrounded

them, and there they fought. There fell Aldermen Siwulf and

Sigelm; Eadwold, the king's thane; Abbot Kenwulf; Sigebriht, the

son of Siwulf; Eadwald, the son of Acca; and many also with them;

though I have named the most considerable. On the Danish side

were slain Eohric their king, and Prince Ethelwald, who had

enticed them to the war. Byrtsige, the son of Prince Brihtnoth;

Governor Ysop; Governor Oskytel; and very many also with them

that we now cannot name. And there was on either hand much

slaughter made; but of the Danes there were more slain, though

they remained masters of the field. Ealswitha died this same

year; and a comet appeared on the thirteenth day before the

calends of November.

((A.D. 906. This year King Edward, from necessity, concluded a

peace both with the army of East-Anglia and of North-humbria.))

A.D. 907. This year died Alfred, who was governor of Bath. The

same year was concluded the peace at Hitchingford, as King Edward

decreed, both with the Danes of East-Anglia, and those of

Northumberland; and Chester was rebuilt.

A.D. 909. This year died Denulf, who was Bishop of Winchester;

and the body of St. Oswald was translated from Bardney into

Mercia.

A.D. 910. This year Frithestan took to the bishopric of

Winchester; and Asser died soon after, who was Bishop o[

Sherborne. The same year King Edward sent an army both from

Wessex and Mercia, which very much harassed the northern army by

their attacks on men and property of every kind. They slew many

of the Danes, and remained in the country five weeks. This year

the Angles and the Danes fought at Tootenhall; and the Angles had

the victory. The same year Ethelfleda built the fortress at

Bramsbury.

((A.D. 910. This year the army of the Angles and of the Danes

fought at Tootenhall. And Ethelred, ealdor of the Mercians,

died; and King Edward took possession of London, and of Oxford,

and of all the lands which owed obedience thereto. And a great

fleet came hither from the south, from the Lidwiccas (Brittany),

and greatly ravaged by the Severn; but they were, afterwards,

almost all perished.))

A.D. 911. This year the army in Northumberland broke the truce,

and despised every right that Edward and his son demanded of

them; and plundered the land of the Mercians. The king had

gathered together about a hundred ships, and was then in Kent

while the ships were sailing along sea by the south-east to meet

him. The army therefore supposed that the greatest part of his

force was in the ships, and that they might go, without being

attacked, where that ever they would. When the king learned on

enquiry that they were gone out on plunder, he sent his army both

from Wessex and Mercia; and they came up with the rear of the

enemy as he was on his way homeward, and there fought with him

and put him to flight, and slew many thousands of his men. There

fell King Eowils, and King Healfden; Earls Ohter and Scurf;

Governors Agmund, Othulf, and Benesing; Anlaf the Swarthy, and

Governor Thunferth; Osferth the collector, and Governor

Guthferth.

((A.D. 911. Then the next year after this died Ethelred, lord of

the Mercians.))

A.D. 912. This year died Ethered, alderman of Mercia; and King

Edward took to London, and to Oxford, and to all the lands that

thereunto belonged. This year also came Ethelfleda, lady of the

Mercians, on the holy eve called the invention of the holy cross,

to Shergate, and built the fortress there, and the same year that

at Bridgenorth.

A.D. 913. This year, about Martinmas, King Edward had the

northern fortress built at Hertford, betwixt the Memer, and the

Benwic, and the Lea. After this, in the summer, betwixt gang-

days and midsummer, went King Edward with some of his force into

Essex, to Maldon; and encamped there the while that men built and

fortified the town of Witham. And many of the people submitted

to him, who were before under the power of the Danes. And some

of his force, meanwhile, built the fortress at Hertford on the

south side of the Lea. This year by the permission of God went

Ethelfleda, lady of Mercia, with all the Mercians to Tamworth;

and built the fort there in the fore-part of the summer; and

before Lammas that at Stafford: in the next year that at

Eddesbury, in the beginning of the summer; and the same year,

late in the autumn, that at Warwick. Then in the following year

was built, after mid-winter, that at Chirbury and that at

Warburton; and the same year before mid-winter that at Runkorn.

((A.D. 915. This year was Warwick built.))

A.D. 916. This year was the innocent Abbot Egbert slain, before

midsummer, on the sixteenth day before the calends of July. The

same day was the feast of St. Ciricius the martyr, with his

companions. And within three nights sent Ethelfleda an army into

Wales, and stormed Brecknock; and there took the king's wife,

with some four and thirty others.

A.D. 917. This year rode the army, after Easter, out of

Northampton and Leicester; and having broken the truce they slew

many men at Hookerton and thereabout. Then, very soon after

this, as the others came home, they found other troops that were

riding out against Leighton. But the inhabitants were aware of

it; and having fought with them they put them into full flight;

and arrested all that they had taken, and also of their horses

and of their weapons a good deal.

A.D. 918. This year came a great naval armament over hither

south from the Lidwiccians; (40) and two earls with it, Ohter and

Rhoald. They went then west about, till they entered the mouth

of the Severn; and plundered in North-Wales everywhere by the

sea, where it then suited them; and took Camlac the bishop in

Archenfield, and led him with them to their ships; whom King

Edward afterwards released for forty pounds. After this went the

army all up; and would proceed yet on plunder against

Archenfield; but the men of Hertford met them, and of Glocester,

and of the nighest towns; and fought with them, and put them to

flight; and they slew the Earl Rhoald, and the brother of Ohter

the other earl, and many of the army. And they drove them into a

park; and beset them there without, until they gave them

hostages, that they would depart from the realm of King Edward.

And the king had contrived that a guard should be set against

them on the south side of Severnmouth; west from Wales, eastward

to the mouth of the Avon; so that they durst nowhere seek that

land on that side. Nevertheless, they eluded them at night, by

stealing up twice; at one time to the east of Watchet, and at

another time at Porlock. There was a great slaughter each time;

so that few of them came away, except those only who swam out to

the ships. Then sat they outward on an island, called the Flat-

holms; till they were very short of meat, and many men died of

hunger, because they could not reach any meat. Thence went they

to Dimmet, and then out to Ireland. This was in harvest. After

this, in the same year, before Martinmas, went King Edward to

Buckingham with his army, and sat there four weeks, during which

he built the two forts on either side of the water, ere he

departed thence. And Earl Thurkytel sought him for his lord; and

all the captains, and almost all the first men that belonged to

Bedford; and also many of those that belonged to Northampton.

This year Ethelfleda, lady of the Mercians, with the help of God,

before Laminas, conquered the town called Derby, with all that

thereto belonged; and there were also slain four of her thanes,

that were most dear to her, within the gates.

((A.D. 918. But very shortly after they had become so, she died

at Tamworth, twelve days before midsummer, the eighth year of her

having rule and right lordship over the Mercians; and her body

lies at Gloucester, within the east porch of St. Peter's

church.))

A.D. 919. This year King Edward went with his army to Bedford,

before Martinmas, and conquered the town; and almost all the

burgesses, who obeyed him before, returned to him; and he sat

there four weeks, and ordered the town to be repaired on the

south side of the water, ere he departed thence.

((A.D. 919. This year also the daughter of Ethelred, lord of the

Mercians, was deprived of all dominion over the Mercians, and

carried into Wessex, three weeks before mid-winter; she was

called Elfwina.))

A.D. 920. This year, before midsummer, went King Edward to

Maldon; and repaired and fortified the town, ere he departed

thence. And the same year went Earl Thurkytel over sea to

Frankland with the men who would adhere to him, under the

protection and assistance of King Edward. This year Ethelfleda

got into her power, with God's assistance, in the early part of

the year, without loss, the town of Leicester; and the greater

part of the army that belonged thereto submitted to her. And the

Yorkists had also promised and confirmed, some by agreement and

some with oaths, that they would be in her interest. But very

soon after they had done this, she departed, twelve nights before

midsummer, at Tamworth, the eighth year that she was holding the

government of the Mercians with right dominion; and her body

lieth at Glocester, in the east porch of St. Peter's church.

This year also was the daughter of Ethered, lord of the Mercians,

deprived of all authority over the Mercians, and led into Wessex,

three weeks before midwinter. Her name was Healfwina.

A.D. 921. This year, before Easter, King Edward ordered his men

to go to the town of Towcester, and to rebuild it. Then again,

after that, in the same year, during the gang-days, he ordered

the town of Wigmore to be repaired. The same summer, betwixt

Lammas and midsummer, the army broke their parole from

Northampton and from Leicester; and went thence northward to

Towcester, and fought against the town all day, and thought that

they should break into it; but the people that were therein

defended it, till more aid came to them; and the enemy then

abandoned the town, and went away. Then again, very soon after

this, they went out at night for plunder, and came upon men

unaware, and seized not a little, both in men and cattle, betwixt

Burnham-wood and Aylesbury. At the same time went the army from

Huntington and East-Anglia, and constructed that work at

Ternsford; which they inhabited and fortified; and abandoned the

other at Huntingdon; and thought that they should thence oft with

war and contention recover a good deal of this land. Thence they

advanced till they came to Bedford; where the men who were within

came out against them, and fought with them, and put them to

flight, and slew a good number of them. Then again, after this,

a great army yet collected itself from East-Anglia and from

Mercia, and went to the town of Wigmore; which they besieged

without, and fought against long in the day; and took the cattle

about it; but the men defended the town, who were within; and the

enemy left the town, and went away. After this, the same summer,

a large force collected itself in King Edward's dominions, from

the nighest towns that could go thither, and went to Temsford;

and they beset the town, and fought thereon; until they broke

into it, and slew the king, and Earl Toglos, and Earl Mann his

son, and his brother, and all them that were therein, and who

were resolved to defend it; and they took the others, and all

that was therein. After this, a great force collected soon in

harvest, from Kent, from Surrey, from Essex, and everywhere from

the nighest towns; and went to Colchester, and beset the town,

and fought thereon till they took it, and slew all the people,

and seized all that was therein; except those men who escaped

therefrom over the wall. After this again, this same harvest, a

great army collected itself from East-Anglia, both of the land-

forces and of the pirates, which they had enticed to their

assistance, and thought that they should wreak their vengeance.

They went to Maldon, and beset the town, and fought thereon,

until more aid came to the townsmen from without to help. The

enemy then abandoned the town, and went from it. And the men

went after, out of the town, and also those that came from

without to their aid; and put the army to flight, and slew many

hundreds of them, both of the pirates and of the others. Soon

after this, the same harvest, went King Edward with the

West-Saxon army to Passham; and sat there the while that men

fortified the town of Towcester with a stone wall. And there

returned to him Earl Thurferth, and the captains, and all the

army that belonged to Northampton northward to the Welland, and

sought him for their lord and protector. When this division of

the army went home, then went another out, and marched to the

town of Huntingdon; and repaired and renewed it, where it was

broken down before, by command of King Edward. And all the

people of the country that were left submitted to King Edward,

and sought his peace and protection. After this, the same year,

before Martinmas, went King Edward with the West-Saxon army to

Colchester; and repaired and renewed the town, where it was

broken down before. And much people turned to him. both in East-

Anglia and in Essex, that were before under the power of the

Danes. And all the army in East-Anglia swore union with him;

that they would all that he would, and would protect all that he

protected, either by sea or land. And the army that belonged to

Cambridge chose him separately for their lord and protector, and

confirmed the same with oaths, as he had advised. This year King

Edward repaired the town of Gladmouth; and the same year King

Sihtric slew Neil his brother.

A.D. 922. This year, betwixt gang-days and midsummer, went King

Edward with his army to Stamford, and ordered the town to be

fortified on the south side of the river. And all the people

that belonged to the northern town submitted to him, and sought

him for their lord. It was whilst he was tarrying there, that

Ethelfleda his sister died at Tamworth, twelve nights before

midsummer. Then rode he to the borough of Tamworth; and all the

population in Mercia turned to him, who before were subject to

Ethelfleda. And the kings in North-Wales, Howel, and Cledauc,

and Jothwel, and all the people of North-Wales, sought him for

their lord. Then went he thence to Nottingham, and secured that

borough, and ordered it to be repaired, and manned both with

English and with Danes. And all the population turned to him,

that was settled in Mercia, both Danish and English.

A.D. 923. This year went King Edward with an army, late in the

harvest, to Thelwall; and ordered the borough to be repaired, and

inhabited, and manned. And he ordered another army also from the

population of Mercia, the while he sat there to go to Manchester

in Northumbria, to repair and to man it. This year died

Archbishop Plegmund; and King Reynold won York.

A.D. 924. This year, before midsummer, went King Edward with an

army to Nottingham; and ordered the town to be repaired on the

south side of the river, opposite the other, and the bridge over

the Trent betwixt the two towns. Thence he went to Bakewell in

Peakland; and ordered a fort to be built as near as possible to

it, and manned. And the King of Scotland, with all his people,

chose him as father and lord; as did Reynold, and the son of

Eadulf, and all that dwell in Northumbria, both English and

Danish, both Northmen and others; also the king of the

Strathclydwallians, and all his people.

((A.D. 924. This year Edward was chosen for father and for lord

by the king of the Scots, and by the Scots, and King Reginald,

and by all the North-humbrians, and also the king of the

Strath-clyde Britons, and by all the Strath-clyde Britons.))

((A.D. 924. This year King Edward died among the Mercians at

Farndon; and very shortly, about sixteen days after this, Elward

his son died at Oxford; and their bodies lie at Winchester. And

Athelstan was chosen king by the Mercians, and consecrated at

Kingston. And he gave his sister to Ofsae (Otho), son of the

king of the Old-Saxons.))

A.D. 925. This year died King Edward at Farndon in Mercia; and

Elward his son died very soon after this, in Oxford. Their

bodies lie at Winchester. And Athelstan was chosen king in

Mercia, and consecrated at Kingston. He gave his sister to Otho,

son of the king of the Old-Saxons. St. Dunstan was now born; and

Wulfhelm took to the archbishopric in Canterbury. This year King

Athelstan and Sihtric king of the Northumbrians came together at

Tamworth, the sixth day before the calends of February, and

Athelstan gave away his sister to him.

((A.D. 925. This year Bishop Wulfhelm was consecrated. And that

same year King Edward died.))

A.D. 926. This year appeared fiery lights in the northern part

of the firmament; and Sihtric departed; and King Athelstan took

to the kingdom of Northumbria, and governed all the kings that

were in this island: -- First, Howel, King of West-Wales; and

Constantine, King of the Scots; and Owen, King of Monmouth; and

Aldred, the son of Eadulf, of Bamburgh. And with covenants and

oaths they ratified their agreement in the place called Emmet, on

the fourth day before the ides of July; and renounced all

idolatry, and afterwards returned in peace.

A.D. 927. This year King Athelstan expelled King Guthfrith; and

Archbishop Wulfhelm went to Rome.

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

((A.D. 931. This year died Frithstan, Bishop of Winchester, and

Brinstan was blessed in his place.))

A.D. 932. This year Burnstan was invested Bishop of Winchester

on the fourth day before the calends of June; and he held the

bishopric two years and a half.

A.D. 933. This year died Bishop Frithestan; and Edwin the

atheling was drowned in the sea.

A.D. 934. This year went King Athelstan into Scotland, both with

a land-force and a naval armament, and laid waste a great part of

it; and Bishop Burnstan died at Winchester at the feast of All

Saints.

A.D. 935. This year Bishop Elfheah took to the bishopric of

Winchester.

((A.D. 937. This year King Athelstan and Edmund his brother led

a force to Brumby, and there fought against Anlaf; and, Christ

helping, had the victory: and they there slew five kings and

seven earls.))

A.D. 938. Here

Athelstan king,

of earls the lord,

rewarder of heroes,

and his brother eke,

Edmund atheling,

elder of ancient race,

slew in the fight,

with the edge of their swords,

the foe at Brumby!

The sons of Edward

their board-walls clove,

and hewed their banners,

with the wrecks of their hammers.

So were they taught

by kindred zeal,

that they at camp oft

'gainst any robber

their land should defend,

their hoards and homes.

Pursuing fell

the Scottish clans;

the men of the fleet

in numbers fell;

'midst the din of the field

the warrior swate.

Since the sun was up

in morning-tide,

gigantic light!

glad over grounds,

God's candle bright,

eternal Lord! --

'till the noble creature

sat in the western main:

there lay many

of the Northern heroes

under a shower of arrows,

shot over shields;

and Scotland's boast,

a Scythian race,

the mighty seed of Mars!

With chosen troops,

throughout the day,

the West-Saxons fierce

press'd on the loathed bands;

hew'd down the fugitives,

and scatter'd the rear,

with strong mill-sharpen'd blades,

The Mercians too

the hard hand-play

spared not to any

of those that with Anlaf

over the briny deep

in the ship's bosom

sought this land

for the hardy fight.

Five kings lay

on the field of battle,

in bloom of youth,

pierced with swords.

So seven eke

of the earls of Anlaf;

and of the ship's-crew

unnumber'd crowds.

There was dispersed

the little band

of hardy Scots,

the dread of northern hordes;

urged to the noisy deep

by unrelenting fate!

The king of the fleet

with his slender craft

escaped with his life

on the felon flood; --

and so too Constantine,

the valiant chief,

returned to the north

in hasty flight.

The hoary Hildrinc

cared not to boast

among his kindred.

Here was his remnant

of relations and friends

slain with the sword

in the crowded fight.

His son too he left

on the field of battle,

mangled with wounds,

young at the fight.

The fair-hair'd youth

had no reason to boast

of the slaughtering strife.

Nor old Inwood

and Anlaf the more

with the wrecks of their army

could laugh and say,

that they on the field

of stern command

better workmen were,

in the conflict of banners,

the clash of spears,

the meeting of heroes,

and the rustling of weapons,

which they on the field

of slaughter played

with the sons of Edward.

The northmen sail'd

in their nailed ships,

a dreary remnant,

on the roaring sea;

over deep water

Dublin they sought,

and Ireland's shores,

in great disgrace.

Such then the brothers

both together

king and atheling,

sought their country,

West-Saxon land,

in right triumphant.

They left behind them

raw to devour,

the sallow kite,

the swarthy raven

with horny nib,

and the hoarse vultur,

with the eagle swift

to consume his prey;

the greedy gos-hawk,

and that grey beast

the wolf of the weald.

No slaughter yet

was greater made

e'er in this island,

of people slain,

before this same,

with the edge of the sword;

as the books inform us

of the old historians;

since hither came

from the eastern shores

the Angles and Saxons,

over the broad sea,

and Britain sought, --

fierce battle-smiths,

o'ercame the Welsh,

most valiant earls,

and gained the land.

A.D. 941. This year King Athelstan died in Glocester, on the

sixth day before the calends of November, about forty-one

winters, bating one night, from the time when King Alfred died.

And Edmund Atheling took to the kingdom. He was then eighteen

years old. King Athelstan reigned fourteen years and ten weeks.

This year the Northumbrians abandoned their allegiance, and chose

Anlaf of Ireland for their king.

((A.D. 941. This year King Edmund received King Anlaf at

baptism; and that same year, a good long space after, he received

King Reginald at the bishop's hands.))

A.D. 942. Here

Edmund king,

of Angles lord,

protector of friends,

author and framer

of direful deeds.

o'erran with speed

the Mercian land.

whete'er the course

of Whitwell-spring,

or Humber deep,

The broad brim-stream,

divides five towns.

Leicester and Lincoln.

Nottingham and Stamford,

and Derby eke.

In thraldom long

to Norman Danes

they bowed through need,

and dragged the chains

of heathen men;

till, to his glory,

great Edward's heir,

Edmund the king,

refuge of warriors,

their fetters broke.

A.D. 943. This year Anlaf stormed Tamworth; and much slaughter

was made on either hand; but the Danes had the victory, and led

away with them much plunder. There was Wulfrun taken, in the

spoiling of the town. This year King Edmund beset King Anlaf and

Archbishop Wulfstan in Leicester; and he might have conquered

them, were it not that they burst out of the town in the night.

After this Anlaf obtained the friendship of King Edmund, and King

Edmund then received King Anlaf in baptism; and he made him royal

presents. And the same year, after some interval, he received

King Reynold at episcopal hands. This year also died King Anlaf.

A.D. 944. This year King Edmund reduced all the land of the

Northumbrians to his dominion, and expelled two kings, Anlaf the

son of Sihtric, and Reynold the son of Guthferth.

A.D. 945. This year King Edmund overran all Cumberland; and let

it all to Malcolm king of the Scots, on the condition that he

became his ally, both by sea and land.

A.D. 946. This year King Edmund died, on St. Augustine's mass

day. That was widely known, how he ended his days: -- that Leof

stabbed him at Pucklechurch. And Ethelfleda of Damerham,

daughter of Alderman Elgar, was then his queen. And he reigned

six years and a half: and then succeeded to the kingdom Edred

Atheling his brother, who soon after reduced all the land of the

Northumbrians to his dominion; and the Scots gave him oaths, that

they would do all that he desired.

A.D. 947. This year came King Edred to Tadden's-cliff; and there

Archbishop Wulfstan and all the council of the Northumbrians

bound themselves to an allegiance with the king. And within a

little space they abandoned all, both allegiance and oaths.

A.D. 948. This year King Edred overran all Northumberland;

because they had taken Eric for their king; and in the pursuit of

plunder was that large minster at Rippon set on fire, which St.

Wilferth built. As the king returned homeward, he overtook the

enemy at York; but his main army was behind at Chesterford.

There was great slaughter made; and the king was so wroth, that

he would fain return with his force, and lay waste the land

withal; but when the council of the Northumbrians understood

that, they then abandoned Eric, and compromised the deed with

King Edred.

A.D. 949. This year came Anlaf Curran to the land of the

Northumbrians.

A.D. 951. This year died Elfeah, Bishop of Winchester, on St.

Gregory's mass day.

A.D. 952. This year the Northumbrians expelled King Anlaf, and

received Eric the son of Harold. This year also King Edred

ordered Archbishop Wulfstan to be brought into prison at

Jedburgh; because he was oft bewrayed before the king: and the

same year the king ordered a great slaughter to be made in the

town of Thetford, in revenge of the abbot, whom they had formerly

slain.

A.D. 954. This year the Northumbrians expelled Eric; and King

Edred took to the government of the Northumbrians. This year

also Archbishop Wulfstan received a bishopric again at

Dorchester.

A.D. 955. This year died King Edred, on St. Clement's mass day,

at Frome.(41) He reigned nine years and a half; and he rests in

the old minster. Then succeeded Edwy, the son of King Edmund, to

the government of the West-Saxons; and Edgar Atheling, his

brother, succeeded to the government of the Mercians. They were

the sons of King Edmund and of St. Elfgiva.

((A.D. 955. And Edwy succeeded to the kingdom of the West-

Saxons, and Edgar his brother succeeded to the kingdom of the

Mercians: and they were the sons of King Edmund and of S.

Elfgiva.))

A.D. 956. This year died Wulfstan, Archbishop of York, on the

seventeenth day before the calends of January; and he was buried

at Oundle; and in the same year was Abbot Dunstan driven out of

this land over sea.

A.D. 958. This year Archbishop Oda separated King Edwy and

Elfgiva; because they were too nearly related.

A.D. 959. This year died King Edwy, on the calends of October;

and Edgar his brother took to the government of the West-Saxons,

Mercians, and Northumbrians. He was then sixteen years old. It

was in this year he sent after St. Dunstan, and gave him the

bishopric of Worcester; and afterwards the bishopric of London.

In his days

it prosper'd well;

and God him gave,

that he dwelt in peace

the while that he lived.

Whate'er he did,

whate'er he plan'd,

he earn'd his thrift.

He also rear'd

God's glory wide,

and God's law lov'd,

with peace to man,

above the kings

that went before

in man's remembrance.

God so him sped,

that kings and earls

to all his claims

submissive bow'd;

and to his will

without a blow

he wielded all

as pleased himself.

Esteem'd he was

both far and wide

in distant lands;

because he prized

the name of God,

and God's law traced,

God's glory rear'd,

both far and wide,

on every side.

Wisely he sought

in council oft

his people's good,

before his God,

before the world.

One misdeed he did,

too much however,

that foreign tastes

he loved too much;

and heathen modes

into this land

he brought too fast;

outlandish men

hither enticed;

and to this earth

attracted crowds

of vicious men.

But God him grant,

that his good deeds

be weightier far

than his misdeeds,

to his soul's redemption

on the judgment-day.

A.D. 961. This year departed Odo, the good archbishop, and St.

Dunstan took to the archbishopric. This year also died Elfgar, a

relative of the king, in Devonshire; and his body lies at Wilton:

and King Sifferth killed himself; and his body lies at Wimborn.

This year there was a very great pestilence; when the great fever

was in London; and St. Paul's minster was consumed with fire, and

in the same year was afterwards restored. In this year Athelmod.

the masspriest, went to Rome, and there died on the eighteenth

before the calends of September.

A.D. 963. This year died Wulfstan, the deacon, on Childermass-

day; (42) and afterwards died Gyric, the mass-priest. In the

same year took Abbot Athelwold to the bishopric of Winchester;

and he was consecrated on the vigil of St. Andrew, which happened

on a Sunday. On the second year after he was consecrated, he

made many minsters; and drove out the clerks (43) from the

bishopric, because they would hold no rule, and set monks

therein. He made there two abbacies; one of monks, another of

nuns. That was all within Winchester. Then came he afterwards

to King Edgar, and requested that he would give him all the

minsters that heathen men had before destroyed; for that he would

renew them. This the king cheerfully granted; and the bishop

came then first to Ely, where St. Etheldritha lies, and ordered

the minster to be repaired; which he gave to a monk of his, whose

name was Britnoth, whom he consecrated abbot: and there he set

monks to serve God, where formerly were nuns. He then bought

many villages of the king, and made it very rich. Afterwards

came Bishop Athelwold to the minster called Medhamsted, which was

formerly ruined by heathen folk; but he found there nothing but

old walls, and wild woods. In the old walls at length he found

hid writings which Abbot Hedda had formerly written; -- how King

Wulfhere and Ethelred his brother had wrought it, and how they

freed it against king and against bishop, and against all worldly

service; and how Pope Agatho confirmed it with his writ, as also

Archbishop Deusdedit. He then ordered the minster to be rebuilt;

and set there an abbot, who was called Aldulf; and made monks,

where before was nothing. He then came to the king, and let him

look at the writings which before were found; and the king then

answered and said: "I Edgar grant and give to-day, before God and

before Archbishop Dunstan, freedom to St. Peter's minster at

Medhamsted, from king and from bishop; and all the thorps that

thereto lie; that is, Eastfield, and Dodthorp, and Eye, and

Paston. And so I free it, that no bishop have any jurisdiction

there, but the abbot of the minster alone. And I give the town

called Oundle, with all that thereto lieth, called Eyot-hundred,

with market and toll; so freely, that neither king, nor bishop,

nor earl, nor sheriff, have there any jurisdiction; nor any man

but the abbot alone, and whom he may set thereto. And I give to

Christ and St. Peter, and that too with the advice of Bishop

Athelwold, these lands; -- that is, Barrow, Warmington, Ashton,

Kettering, Castor, Eylesworth, Walton, Witherington, Eye, Thorp,

and a minster at Stamford. These lands and al the others that

belong to the minster I bequeath clear; that is, with sack and

sock, toll and team, and infangthief; these privileges and all

others bequeath I clear to Christ and St. Peter. And I give the

two parts of Whittlesey-mere, with waters and with wears and

fens; and so through Meerlade along to the water that is called

Nen; and so eastward to Kingsdelf. And I will that there be a

market in the town itself, and that no other be betwixt Stamford

and Huntingdon. And I will that thus be given the toll; --

first, from Whittlesey-mere to the king's toll of Norman-cross

hundred; then backward again from Whittlesey-mere through

Meerlade along to the Nen, and as that river runs to Crowland;

and from Crowland to Must, and from Must to Kingsdelf and to

Whittlesey-mere. And I will that all the freedom, and all the

privileges, that my predecessors gave, should remain; and I write

and confirm this with the rood-token of Christ." (+) -- Then

answered Dunstan, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and said: "I

grant, that all the things that here are given and spoken, and

all the things that thy predecessors and mine have given, shall

remain firm; and whosoever breaketh it, then give I him God's