The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

A.D.980.In this year was Ethelgar consecrated bishop, on the sixth day before the nones of May, to the bishopric of Selsey; and in the same year was Southampton plundered by a pirate-army, and most of the population slain or imprisoned.And the same year was the Isle of Thanet overrun, and the county of Chester was plundered by the pirate-army of the North.In this year Alderman Alfere fetched the body of the holy King Edward at Wareham, and carried him with great solemnity to Shaftsbury.

A.D.981.In this year was St.Petroc's-stow plundered; and in the same year was much harm done everywhere by the sea-coast, both upon Devonshire and Wales.And in the same year died Elfstan, Bishop of Wiltshire; and his body lieth in the minster at Abingdon; and Wulfgar then succeeded to the bishopric.The same year died Womare, Abbot of Ghent.

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

A.D.982.In this year came up in Dorsetshire three ships of the pirates, and plundered in Portland.The same year London was burned.In the same year also died two aldermen, Ethelmer in Hampshire, and Edwin in Sussex.Ethelmer's body lieth in Winchester, at New-minster, and Edwin's in the minster at Abingdon.The same year died two abbesses in Dorsetshire; Herelufa at Shaftsbury, and Wulfwina at Wareham.The same year went Otho, emperor of the Romans, into Greece; and there met he a great army of the Saracens, who came up from the sea, and would have proceeded forthwith to plunder the Christian folk; but the emperor fought with them.And there was much slaughter made on either side, but the emperor gained the field of battle.He was there, however, much harassed, ere he returned thence; and as he went homeward, his brother's son died, who was also called Otho; and he was the son of Leodulf Atheling.This Leodulf was the son of Otho the Elder and of the daughter of King Edward.

A.D.983.This year died Alderman Alfere, and Alfric succeeded to the same eldership; and Pope Benedict also died.

A.D.984.This year died the benevolent Bishop of Winchester, Athelwold, father of monks; and the consecration of the following bishop, Elfheah, who by another name was called Godwin, was on the fourteenth day before the calends of November; and he took his seat on the episcopal bench on the mass-day of the two apostles Simon and Jude, at Winchester.

A.D.985.This year was Alderman Alfric driven out of the land; and in the same year was Edwin consecrated abbot of the minster at Abingdon.

A.D.986.This year the king invaded the bishopric of Rochester; and this year came first the great murrain of cattle in England.

A.D.987.This year was the port of Watchet plundered.

A.D.988.This year was Goda, the thane of Devonshire, slain; and a great number with him: and Dunstan, the holy archbishop, departed this life, and sought a heavenly one.Bishop Ethelgar succeeded him in the archbishopric; but he lived only a little while after, namely, one year and three months.

A.D.989.This year died Abbot Edwin, and Abbot Wulfgar succeeded to the abbacy.Siric was this year invested archbishop, and went afterwards to Rome after his pall.

A.D.991.This year was Ipswich plundered; and very soon afterwards was Alderman Britnoth (47) slain at Maidon.In this same year it was resolved that tribute should be given, for the first time, to the Danes, for the great terror they occasioned by the sea-coast.That was first 10,000 pounds.The first who advised this measure was Archbishop Siric.

A.D.992.This year the blessed Archbishop Oswald departed this life, and sought a heavenly one; and in the same year died Alderman Ethelwin.Then the king and all his council resolved, that all the ships that were of any account should be gathered together at London; and the king committed the lead of the land-force to Alderman Elfric, and Earl Thorod, and Bishop Elfstan, and Bishop Escwy; that they should try if they could anywhere without entrap the enemy.Then sent Alderman Elfric, and gave warning to the enemy; and on the night preceding the day of battle he sculked away from the army, to his great disgrace.The enemy then escaped; except the crew of one ship, who were slain on the spot.Then met the enemy the ships from East-Anglia, and from London; and there a great slaughter was made, and they took the ship in which was the alderman, all armed and rigged.Then, after the death of Archbishop Oswald, succeeded Aldulf, Abbot of Peterborough, to the sees of York and of Worcester; and Kenulf to the abbacy of Peterborough.

((A.D.992.This year Oswald the blessed archbishop died, and Abbot Eadulf succeeded to York and to Worcester.And this year the king and all his witan decreed that all the ships which were worth anything should be gathered together at London, in order that they might try if they could anywhere betrap the army from without.But Aelfric the ealdorman, one of those in whom the king had most confidence, directed the army to be warned; and in the night, as they should on the morrow have joined battle, the selfsame Aelfric fled from the forces; and then the army escaped.))

A.D.993.This year came Anlaf with three and ninety ships to Staines, which he plundered without, and went thence to Sandwich.Thence to Ipswich, which he laid waste; and so to Maidon, where Alderman Britnoth came against him with his force, and fought with him; and there they slew the alderman, and gained the field of battle; whereupon peace was made with him, and the king received him afterwards at episcopal hands by the advice of Siric, Bishop of Canterbury, and Elfeah of Winchester.This year was Bamborough destroyed, and much spoil was there taken.Afterwards came the army to the mouth of the Humber; and there did much evil both in Lindsey and in Northumbria.Then was collected a great force; but when the armies were to engage, then the generals first commenced a flight; namely, Frene and Godwin and Frithgist.In this same year the king ordered Elfgar, son of Alderman Elfric, to be punished with blindness.

((A.D.993.In this year came Olave with ninety-three ships to Staines, and ravaged there about, and then went thence to Sandwich, and so thence to Ipswich, and that all overran; and so to Maldon.And there Britnoth the ealdorman came against them with his forces, and fought against them: and they there slew the ealdorman, and had possession of the place of carnage.And after that peace was made with them; and him (Anlaf) the king afterwards received at the bishop's hands, through the instruction of Siric, bishop of the Kentish-men, and of Aelphege of Winchester.))

A.D.994.This year died Archbishop Siric: and Elfric, Bishop of Wiltshire, was chosen on Easter-day, at Amesbury, by King Ethelred and all his council.This year came Anlaf and Sweyne to London, on the Nativity of St.Mary, with four and ninety-ships.And they closely besieged the city, and would fain have set it on fire; but they sustained more harm and evil than they ever supposed that any citizens could inflict on them.The holy mother of God on that day in her mercy considered the citizens, and ridded them of their enemies.Thence they advanced, and wrought the greatest evil that ever any army could do, in burning and plundering and manslaughter, not only on the sea-coast in Essex, but in Kent and in Sussex and in Hampshire.Next they took horse, and rode as wide as they would, and committed unspeakable evil.Then resolved the king and his council to send to them, and offer them tribute and provision, on condition that they desisted from plunder.The terms they accepted; and the whole army came to Southampton, and there fixed their winter-quarters; where they were fed by all the subjects of the West-Saxon kingdom.And they gave them 16,000 pounds in money.Then sent the king; after King Anlaf Bishop Elfeah and Alderman Ethelwerd; (48) and, hostages being left with the ships, they led Anlaf with great pomp to the king at Andover.And King Ethelred received him at episcopal hands, and honoured him with royal presents.In return Anlaf promised, as he also performed, that he never again would come in a hostile manner to England.

A.D.995.This year appeared the comet-star.

A.D.996.This year was Elfric consecrated archbishop at Christ church.(49)

A.D.997.This year went the army about Devonshire into Severn-mouth, and equally plundered the people of Cornwall, North-Wales, (50) and Devon.Then went they up at Watchet, and there much evil wrought in burning and manslaughter.Afterwards they coasted back about Penwithstert on the south side, and, turning into the mouth of the Tamer, went up till they came to Liddyford, burning and slaying everything that they met.Moreover, Ordulf's minster at Tavistock they burned to the ground, and brought to their ships incalculable plunder.This year Archbishop Elfric went to Rome after his staff.

A.D.998.This year coasted the army back eastward into the mouth of the Frome, and went up everywhere, as widely as they would, into Dorsetshire.Often was an army collected against them; but, as soon as they were about to come together, then were they ever through something or other put to flight, and their enemies always in the end had the victory.Another time they lay in the Isle of Wight, and fed themselves meanwhile from Hampshire and Sussex.

A.D.999.This year came the army about again into the Thames, and went up thence along the Medway to Rochester; where the Kentish army came against them, and encountered them in a close engagement; but, alas!they too soon yielded and fled; because they had not the aid that they should have had.The Danes therefore occupied the field of battle, and, taking horse, they rode as wide as they would, spoiling and overrunning nearly all West-Kent.Then the king with his council determined to proceed against them with sea and land forces; but as soon as the ships were ready, then arose delay from day to day, which harassed the miserable crew that lay on board; so that, always, the forwarder it should have been, the later it was, from one time to another;—they still suffered the army of their enemies to increase;—the Danes continually retreated from the sea-coast;—and they continually pursued them in vain.Thus in the end these expeditions both by sea and land served no other purpose but to vex the people, to waste their treasure, and to strengthen their enemies."

A.D.1000.This year the king went into Cumberland, and nearly laid waste the whole of it with his army, whilst his navy sailed about Chester with the design of co-operating with his land-forces; but, finding it impracticable, they ravaged Anglesey.The hostile fleet was this summer turned towards the kingdom of Richard.

A.D.1001.This year there was great commotion in England in consequence of an invasion by the Danes, who spread terror and devastation wheresoever they went, plundering and burning and desolating the country with such rapidity, that they advanced in one march as far as the town of Alton; where the people of Hampshire came against them, and fought with them.There was slain Ethelwerd, high-steward of the king, and Leofric of Whitchurch, and Leofwin, high-steward of the king, and Wulfhere, a bishop's thane, and Godwin of Worthy, son of Bishop Elfsy; and of all the men who were engaged with them eighty-one.Of the Danes there was slain a much greater number, though they remained in possession of the field of battle.Thence they proceeded westward, until they came into Devonshire; where Paley came to meet them with the ships which he was able to collect; for he had shaken off his allegiance to King Ethelred, against all the vows of truth and fidelity which he had given him, as well as the presents which the king had bestowed on him in houses and gold and silver.And they burned Teignton, and also many other goodly towns that we cannot name; and then peace was there concluded with them.And they proceeded thence towards Exmouth, so that they marched at once till they came to Pin-hoo; where Cole, high-steward of the king, and Edsy, reve of the king, came against them with the army that they could collect.But they were there put to flight, and there were many slain, and the Danes had possession of the field of battle.And the next morning they burned the village of Pin-hoo, and of Clist, and also many goodly towns that we cannot name.Then they returned eastward again, till they came to the Isle of Wight.The next morning they burned the town of Waltham, and many other small towns; soon after which the people treated with them, and they made peace.

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

A.D.1002.This year the king and his council agreed that tribute should be given to the fleet, and peace made with them, with the provision that they should desist from their mischief.Then sent the king to the fleet Alderman Leofsy, who at the king's word and his council made peace with them, on condition that they received food and tribute; which they accepted, and a tribute was paid of 24,000 pounds.In the meantime Alderman Leofsy slew Eafy, high-steward of the king; and the king banished him from the land.Then, in the same Lent, came the Lady Elfgive Emma, Richard's daughter, to this land.And in the same summer died Archbishop Eadulf; and also, in the same year the king gave an order to slay all the Danes that were in England.This was accordingly done on the mass-day of St.Brice; because it was told the king, that they would beshrew him of his life, and afterwards all his council, and then have his kingdom without any resistance.

A.D.1003.This year was Exeter demolished, through the French churl Hugh, whom the lady had appointed her steward there.And the army destroyed the town withal, and took there much spoil.In the same year came the army up into Wiltshire.Then was collected a very great force, from Wiltshire and from Hampshire; which was soon ready on their march against the enemy: and Alderman Elfric should have led them on; but he brought forth his old tricks, and as soon as they were so near, that either army looked on the other, then he pretended sickness, and began to retch, saying he was sick; and so betrayed the people that he should have led: as it is said, "When the leader is sick the whole army is hindered."When Sweyne saw that they were not ready, and that they all retreated, then led he his army into Wilton; and they plundered and burned the town.Then went he to Sarum; and thence back to the sea, where he knew his ships were.

A.D.1004.This year came Sweyne with his fleet to Norwich, plundering and burning the whole town.Then Ulfkytel agreed with the council in East-Anglia, that it were better to purchase peace with the enemy, ere they did too much harm on the land; for that they had come unawares, and he had not had time to gather his force.Then, under the truce that should have been between them, stole the army up from their ships, and bent their course to Thetford.When Ulfkytel understood that, then sent he an order to hew the ships in pieces; but they frustrated his design.Then he gathered his forces, as secretly as he could.The enemy came to Thetford within three weeks after they had plundered Norwich; and, remaining there one night, they spoiled and burned the town; but, in the morning, as they were proceeding to their ships, came Ulfkytel with his army, and said that they must there come to close quarters.And, accordingly, the two armies met together; and much slaughter was made on both sides.There were many of the veterans of the East-Angles slain; but, if the main army had been there, the enemy had never returned to their ships.As they said themselves, that they never met with worse hand-play in England than Ulfkytel brought them.

A.D.1005.This year died Archbishop Elfric; and Bishop Elfeah succeeded him in the archbishopric.This year was the great famine in England so severe that no man ere remembered such.The fleet this year went from this land to Denmark, and took but a short respite, before they came again.

A.D.1006.This year Elfeah was consecrated Archbishop; Bishop Britwald succeeded to the see of Wiltshire; Wulfgeat was deprived of all his property; (51) Wulfeah and Ufgeat were deprived of sight; Alderman Elfelm was slain; and Bishop Kenulf (52) departed this life.Then, over midsummer, came the Danish fleet to Sandwich, and did as they were wont; they barrowed and burned and slew as they went.Then the king ordered out all the population from Wessex and from Mercia; and they lay out all the harvest under arms against the enemy; but it availed nothing more than it had often done before.For all this the enemy went wheresoever they would; and the expedition did the people more harm than either any internal or external force could do.When winter approached, then went the army home; and the enemy retired after Martinmas to their quarters in the Isle of Wight, and provided themselves everywhere there with what they wanted.Then, about midwinter, they went to their ready farm, throughout Hampshire into Berkshire, to Reading.And they did according to their custom,—they lighted their camp-beacons as they advanced.Thence they marched to Wallingford, which they entirely destroyed, and passed one night at Cholsey.They then turned along Ashdown to Cuckamsley-hill, and there awaited better cheer; for it was often said, that if they sought Cuckamsley, they would never get to the sea.But they went another way homeward.Then was their army collected at Kennet; and they came to battle there, and soon put the English force to flight; and afterwards carried their spoil to the sea.There might the people of Winchester see the rank and iniquitous foe, as they passed by their gates to the sea, fetching their meat and plunder over an extent of fifty miles from sea.Then was the king gone over the Thames into Shropshire; and there he fixed his abode during midwinter.Meanwhile, so great was the fear of the enemy, that no man could think or devise how to drive them from the land, or hold this territory against them; for they had terribly marked each shire in Wessex with fire and devastation.Then the king began to consult seriously with his council, what they all thought most advisable for defending this land, ere it was utterly undone.Then advised the king and his council for the advantage of all the nation, though they were all loth to do it, that they needs must bribe the enemy with a tribute.The king then sent to the army, and ordered it to be made known to them, that his desire was, that there should be peace between them, and that tribute and provision should be given them.And they accepted the terms; and they were provisioned throughout England.

((A.D.1006.This year Elphege was consecrated archbishop [of
Canterbury].) )

A.D.1007.In this year was the tribute paid to the hostile army; that was, 30,000 pounds.In this year also was Edric appointed alderman over all the kingdom of the Mercians.This year went Bishop Elfeah to Rome after his pall.

A.D.1008.This year bade the king that men should speedily build ships over all England; that is, a man possessed of three hundred and ten hides to provide on galley or skiff; and a man possessed of eight hides only, to find a helmet and breastplate (53).

A.D.1009.This year were the ships ready, that we before spoke about; and there were so many of them as never were in England before, in any king's days, as books tell us.And they were all transported together to Sandwich; that they should lie there, and defend this land against any out-force.But we have not yet had the prosperity and the honour, that the naval armament should be useful to this land, any more than it often before was.It was at this same time, or a little earlier, that Brihtric, brother of Alderman Edric, bewrayed Wulnoth, the South-Saxon knight, father of Earl Godwin, to the king; and he went into exile, and enticed the navy, till he had with him twenty ships; with which he plundered everywhere by the south coast, and wrought every kind of mischief.When it was told the navy that they might easily seize him, if they would look about them, then took Brihtric with him eighty ships; and thought that he should acquire for himself much reputation, by getting Wulnoth into his hands alive or dead.But, whilst they were proceeding thitherward, there came such a wind against them, as no man remembered before; which beat and tossed the ships, and drove them aground; whereupon Wulnoth soon came, and burned them.When this was known to the remaining ships, where the king was, how the others fared, it was then as if all were lost.The king went home, with the aldermen and the nobility; and thus lightly did they forsake the ships; whilst the men that were in them rowed them back to London.Thus lightly did they suffer the labour of all the people to be in vain; nor was the terror lessened, as all England hoped.When this naval expedition was thus ended, then came, soon after Lammas, the formidable army of the enemy, called Thurkill's army, to Sandwich; and soon they bent their march to Canterbury; which city they would quickly have stormed, had they not rather desired peace; and all the men of East-Kent made peace with the army, and gave them 3,000 pounds for security.The army soon after that went about till they came to the Isle of Wight; and everywhere in Sussex, and in Hampshire, and also in Berkshire, they plundered and burned, as THEIR CUSTOM IS.(54) Then ordered the king to summon out all the population, that men might hold firm against them on every side; but nevertheless they marched as they pleased.On one occasion the king had begun his march before them, as they proceeded to their ships, and all the people were ready to fall upon them; but the plan was then frustrated through Alderman Edric, AS IT EVER IS STILL.Then after Martinmas they went back again to Kent, and chose their winter-quarters on the Thames; obtaining their provisions from Essex, and from the shires that were next, on both sides of the Thames.And oft they fought against the city of London; but glory be to God, that it yet standeth firm: and they ever there met with ill fare.Then after midwinter took they an excursion up through Chiltern, (55) and so to Oxford; which city they burned, and plundered on both sides of the Thames to their ships.Being fore-warned that there was an army gathered against them at London, they went over at Staines; and thus were they in motion all the winter, and in spring, appeared again in Kent, and repaired their ships.

A.D.1010.This year came the aforesaid army, after Easter, into East Anglia; and went up at Ipswich, marching continually till they came where they understood Ulfcytel was with his army.This was on the day called the first of the Ascension of our Lord.The East-Angles soon fled.Cambridgeshire stood firm against them.There was slain Athelstan, the king's relative, and Oswy, and his son, and Wulfric, son of Leofwin, and Edwy, brother of Efy, and many other good thanes, and a multitude of the people.Thurkytel Myrehead first began the flight; and the Danes remained masters of the field of slaughter.There were they horsed; and afterwards took possession of East-Anglia, where they plundered and burned three months; and then proceeded further into the wild fens, slaying both men and cattle, and burning throughout the fens.Thetford also they burned, and Cambridge; and afterwards went back southward into the Thames; and the horsemen rode towards the ships.Then went they west-ward into Oxfordshire, and thence to Buckinghamshire, and so along the Ouse till they came to Bedford, and so forth to Temsford, always burning as they went.Then returned they to their ships with their spoil, which they apportioned to the ships.When the king's army should have gone out to meet them as they went up, then went they home; and when they were in the east, then was the army detained in the west; and when they were in the south, then was the army in the north.Then all the privy council were summoned before the king, to consult how they might defend this country.But, whatever was advised, it stood not a month; and at length there was not a chief that would collect an army, but each fled as he could: no shire, moreover, would stand by another.Before the feast-day of St.Andrew came the enemy to Northampton, and soon burned the town, and took as much spoil thereabout as they would; and then returned over the Thames into Wessex, and so by Cannings-marsh, burning all the way.When they had gone as far as they would, then came they by midwinter to their ships.

A.D.1011.This year sent the king and his council to the army, and desired peace; promising them both tribute and provisions, on condition that they ceased from plunder.They had now overrun East-Anglia [1], and Essex [2], and Middlesex [3], and Oxfordshire [4], and Cambridgeshire [5], and Hertfordshire [6], and Buckinghamshire [7], and Bedfordshire [8], and half of Huntingdonshire [9], and much of Northamptonshire [10]; and, to the south of the Thames, all Kent, and Sussex, and Hastings, and Surrey, and Berkshire, and Hampshire, and much of Wiltshire.All these disasters befel us through bad counsels; that they would not offer tribute in time, or fight with them; but, when they had done most mischief, then entered they into peace and amity with them.And not the less for all this peace, and amity, and tribute, they went everywhere in troops; plundering, and spoiling, and slaying our miserable people.In this year, between the Nativity of St.Mary and Michaelmas, they beset Canterbury, and entered therein through treachery; for Elfmar delivered the city to them, whose life Archbishop Elfeah formerly saved.And there they seized Archbishop Elfeah, and Elfward the king's steward, and Abbess Leofruna, (56) and Bishop Godwin; and Abbot Elfmar they suffered to go away.And they took therein all the men, and husbands, and wives; and it was impossible for any man to say how many they were; and in the city they continued afterwards as long as they would.And, when they had surveyed all the city, they then returned to their ships, and led the archbishop with them.Then was a captive he who before was of England head and Christendom;— there might be seen

          great wretchedness,
          where oft before
          great bliss was seen,
          in the fated city,
          whence first to us
          came Christendom,
          and bliss 'fore God
          and 'fore the world.
And the archbishop they kept with them until the time when they
martyred him.

A.D.1012.This year came Alderman Edric, and all the oldest counsellors of England, clerk and laity, to London before Easter, which was then on the ides of April; and there they abode, over Easter, until all the tribute was paid, which was 48,000 pounds.Then on the Saturday was the army much stirred against the bishop; because he would not promise them any fee, and forbade that any man should give anything for him.They were also much drunken; for there was wine brought them from the south.Then took they the bishop, and led him to their hustings, on the eve of the Sunday after Easter, which was the thirteenth before the calends of May; and there they then shamefully killed him.They overwhelmed him with bones and horns of oxen; and one of them smote him with an axe-iron on the head; so that he sunk downwards with the blow; and his holy blood fell on the earth, whilst his sacred soul was sent to the realm of God.The corpse in the morning was carried to London; and the bishops, Ednoth and Elfhun, and the citizens, received him with all honour, and buried him in St.Paul's minster; where God now showeth this holy martyr's miracles.When the tribute was paid, and the peace-oaths were sworn, then dispersed the army as widely as it was before collected.Then submitted to the king five and forty of the ships of the enemy; and promised him, that they would defend this land, and he should feed and clothe them.

A.D.1013.The year after that Archbishop Elfeah was martyred, the king appointed Lifing to the archiepiscopal see of Canterbury.And in the same year, before the month August, came King Sweyne with his fleet to Sandwich; and very soon went about East-Anglia into the Humber-mouth, and so upward along the Trent, until he came to Gainsborough.Then soon submitted to him Earl Utred, and all the Northumbrians, and all the people of Lindsey, and afterwards the people of the Five Boroughs, and soon after all the army to the north of Watling-street; and hostages were given him from each shire.When he understood that all the people were subject to him, then ordered he that his army should have provision and horses; and he then went southward with his main army, committing his ships and the hostages to his son Knute.And after he came over Watling-street, they wrought the greatest mischief that any army could do.Then he went to Oxford; and the population soon submitted, and gave hostages; thence to Winchester, where they did the same.Thence went they eastward to London; and many of the party sunk in the Thames, because they kept not to any bridge.When he came to the city, the population would not submit; but held their ground in full fight against him, because therein was King Ethelred, and Thurkill with him.Then went King Sweyne thence to Wallingford; and so over Thames westward to Bath, where he abode with his army.Thither came Alderman Ethelmar, and all the western thanes with him, and all submitted to Sweyne, and gave hostages.When he had thus settled all, then went he northward to his ships; and all the population fully received him, and considered him full king.The population of London also after this submitted to him, and gave hostages; because they dreaded that he would undo them.Then bade Sweyne full tribute and forage for his army during the winter; and Thurkill bade the same for the army that lay at Greenwich: besides this, they plundered as oft as they would.And when this nation could neither resist in the south nor in the north, King Ethelred abode some while with the fleet that lay in the Thames; and the lady (57) went afterwards over sea to her brother Richard, accompanied by Elfsy, Abbot of Peterborough.The king sent Bishop Elfun with the ethelings, Edward and Alfred, over sea; that he might instruct them.Then went the king from the fleet, about midwinter, to the Isle of Wight; and there abode for the season; after which he went over sea to Richard, with whom he abode till the time when Sweyne died.Whilst the lady was with her brother beyond sea, Elfsy, Abbot of Peterborough, who was there with her, went to the abbey called Boneval, where St.Florentine's body lay; and there found a miserable place, a miserable abbot, and miserable monks: because they had been plundered.There he bought of the abbot, and of the monks, the body of St.Florentine, all but the head, for 500 pounds; which, on his return home, he offered to Christ and St.Peter.

A.D.1014.This year King Sweyne ended his days at Candlemas, the third day before the nones of February; and the same year Elfwy, Bishop of York, was consecrated in London, on the festival of St.Juliana.The fleet all chose Knute for king; whereupon advised all the counsellors of England, clergy and laity, that they should send after King Ethelred; saying, that no sovereign was dearer to them than their natural lord, if he would govern them better than he did before.Then sent the king hither his son Edward, with his messengers; who had orders to greet all his people, saying that he would be their faithful lord—would better each of those things that they disliked—and that each of the things should be forgiven which had been either done or said against him; provided they all unanimously, without treachery, turned to him.Then was full friendship established, in word and in deed and in compact, on either side.And every Danish king they proclaimed an outlaw for ever from England.Then came King Ethelred home, in Lent, to his own people; and he was gladly received by them all.Meanwhile, after the death of Sweyne, sat Knute with his army in Gainsborough until Easter; and it was agreed between him and the people of Lindsey, that they should supply him with horses, and afterwards go out all together and plunder.But King Ethelred with his full force came to Lindsey before they were ready; and they plundered and burned, and slew all the men that they could reach.Knute, the son of Sweyne, went out with his fleet (so were the wretched people deluded by him), and proceeded southward until he came to Sandwich.There he landed the hostages that were given to his father, and cut off their hands and ears and their noses.Besides all these evils, the king ordered a tribute to the army that lay at Greenwich, of 21,000 pounds.This year, on the eve of St.Michael's day, came the great sea-flood, which spread wide over this land, and ran so far up as it never did before, overwhelming many towns, and an innumerable multitude of people.

A.D.1015.This year was the great council at Oxford; where Alderman Edric betrayed Sigferth and Morcar, the eldest thanes belonging to the Seven Towns.He allured them into his bower, where they were shamefully slain.Then the king took all their possessions, and ordered the widow of Sigferth to be secured, and brought within Malmsbury.After a little interval, Edmund Etheling went and seized her, against the king's will, and had her to wife.Then, before the Nativity of St.Mary, went the etheling west-north into the Five Towns, (58) and soon plundered all the property of Sigferth and Morcar; and all the people submitted to him.At the same time came King Knute to Sandwich, and went soon all about Kent into Wessex, until he came to the mouth of the Frome; and then plundered in Dorset, and in Wiltshire, and in Somerset.King Ethelred, meanwhile, lay sick at Corsham; and Alderman Edric collected an army there, and Edmund the etheling in the north.When they came together, the alderman designed to betray Edmund the etheling, but he could not; whereupon they separated without an engagement, and sheered off from their enemies.Alderman Edric then seduced forty ships from the king, and submitted to Knute.The West-Saxons also submitted, and gave hostages, and horsed the army.And he continued there until midwinter.

A.D.1016.This year came King Knute with a marine force of one hundred and sixty ships, and Alderman Edric with him, over the Thames into Mercia at Cricklade; whence they proceeded to Warwickshire, during the middle of the winter, and plundered therein, and burned, and slew all they met.Then began Edmund the etheling to gather an army, which, when it was collected, could avail him nothing, unless the king were there and they had the assistance of the citizens of London.The expedition therefore was frustrated, and each man betook himself home.After this, an army was again ordered, under full penalties, that every person, however distant, should go forth; and they sent to the king in London, and besought him to come to meet the army with the aid that he could collect.When they were all assembled, it succeeded nothing better than it often did before; and, when it was told the king, that those persons would betray him who ought to assist him, then forsook he the army, and returned again to London.Then rode Edmund the etheling to Earl Utred in Northumbria; and every man supposed that they would collect an army King Knute; but they went into Stafforddhire, and to Shrewsbury, and to Chester; and they plundered on their parts, and Knute on his.He went out through Buckinghamshire to Bedfordshire; thence to Huntingdonshire, and so into Northamptonshire along the fens to Stamford.Thence into Lincolnshire.Thence to Nottinghamshire; and so into Northumbria toward York.When Utred understood this, he ceased from plundering, and hastened northward, and submitted for need, and all the Northumbrians with him; but, though he gave hostages, he was nevertheless slain by the advice of Alderman Edric, and Thurkytel, the son of Nafan, with him.After this, King Knute appointed Eric earl over Northumbria, as Utred was; and then went southward another way, all by west, till the whole army came, before Easter, to the ships.Meantime Edmund Etheling went to London to his father: and after Easter went King Knute with all his ships toward London; but it happened that King Ethelred died ere the ships came.He ended his days on St.George's day; having held his kingdom in much tribulation and difficulty as long as his life continued.After his decease, all the peers that were in London, and the citizens, chose Edmund king; who bravely defended his kingdom while his time was.Then came the ships to Greenwich, about the gang-days, and within a short interval went to London; where they sunk a deep ditch on the south side, and dragged their ships to the west side of the bridge.Afterwards they trenched the city without, so that no man could go in or out, and often fought against it: but the citizens bravely withstood them.King Edmund had ere this gone out, and invaded the West-Saxons, who all submitted to him; and soon afterward he fought with the enemy at Pen near Gillingham.A second battle he fought, after midsummer, at Sherston; where much slaughter was made on either side, and the leaders themselves came together in the fight.Alderman Edric and Aylmer the darling were assisting the army against King Edmund.Then collected he his force the third time, and went to London, all by north of the Thames, and so out through Clayhanger, and relieved the citizens, driving the enemy to their ships.It was within two nights after that the king went over at Brentford; where he fought with the enemy, and put them to flight: but there many of the English were drowned, from their own carelessness; who went before the main army with a design to plunder.After this the king went into Wessex, and collected his army; but the enemy soon returned to London, and beset the city without, and fought strongly against it both by water and land.But the almighty God delivered them.The enemy went afterward from London with their ships into the Orwell; where they went up and proceeded into Mercia, slaying and burning whatsoever they overtook, as their custom is; and, having provided themselves with meat, they drove their ships and their herds into the Medway.Then assembled King Edmund the fourth time all the English nation, and forded over the Thames at Brentford; whence he proceeded into Kent.The enemy fled before him with their horses into the Isle of Shepey; and the king slew as many of them as he could overtake.Alderman Edric then went to meet the king at Aylesford; than which no measure could be more ill-advised.The enemy, meanwhile, returned into Essex, and advanced into Mercia, destroying all that he overtook.When the king understood that the army was up, then collected he the fifth time all the English nation, and went behind them, and overtook them in Essex, on the down called Assingdon; where they fiercely came together.Then did Alderman Edric as he often did before—he first began the flight with the Maisevethians, and so betrayed his natural lord and all the people of England.There had Knute the victory, though all England fought against him!There was then slain Bishop Ednoth, and Abbot Wulsy, and Alderman Elfric, and Alderman Godwin of Lindsey, and Ulfkytel of East-Anglia, and Ethelward, the son of Alderman Ethelsy (59).And all the nobility of the English nation was there undone!After this fight went King Knute up with his army into Glocestershire, where he heard say that King Edmund was.Then advised Alderman Edric, and the counsellors that were there assembled, that the kings should make peace with each other, and produce hostages.Then both the kings met together at Olney, south of Deerhurst, and became allies and sworn brothers.There they confirmed their friendship both with pledges and with oaths, and settled the pay of the army.With this covenant they parted: King Edmund took to Wessex, and Knute to Mercia and the northern district.The army then went to their ships with the things they had taken; and the people of London made peace with them, and purchased their security, whereupon they brought their ships to London, and provided themselves winter-quarters therein.On the feast of St.Andrew died King Edmund; and he is buried with his grandfather Edgar at Gastonbury.In the same year died Wulfgar, Abbot of Abingdon; and Ethelsy took to the abbacy.

A.D.1017.This year King Knute took to the whole government of England, and divided it into four parts: Wessex for himself, East-Anglia for Thurkyll, Mercia for Edric, Northumbria for Eric.This year also was Alderman Edric slain at London, and Norman, son of Alderman Leofwin, and Ethelward, son of Ethelmar the Great, and Britric, son of Elfege of Devonshire.King Knute also banished Edwy etheling, whom he afterwards ordered to be slain, and Edwy, king of the churls; and before the calends of August the king gave an order to fetch him the widow of the other king, Ethelred, the daughter of Richard, to wife.

((A.D.1017.This year Canute was chosen king.))

A.D.1018.This year was the payment of the tribute over all England; that was, altogether, two and seventy thousand pounds, besides that which the citizens of London paid; and that was ten thousand five hundred pounds.The army then went partly to Denmark; and forty ships were left with King Knute.The Danes and Angles were united at Oxford under Edgar's law; and this year died Abbot Ethelsy at Abingdon, to whom Ethelwine succeeded.

A.D.1019.This year went King Knute with nine ships to Denmark, where he abode all the winter; and Archbishop Elfstan died this year, who was also named Lifing.He was a very upright man both before God and before the world.

((A.D.1019.And this winter died Archbishop Elfstan [of Canterbury]: he was named Living; and he was a very provident man, both as to God and as to the world.))

A.D.1020.This year came King Knute back to England; and there was at Easter a great council at Cirencester, where Alderman Ethelward was outlawed, and Edwy, king of the churls.This year went the king to Assingdon; with Earl Thurkyll, and Archbishop Wulfstan, and other bishops, and also abbots, and many monks with them; and he ordered to be built there a minster of stone and lime, for the souls of the men who were there slain, and gave it to his own priest, whose name was Stigand; and they consecrated the minster at Assingdon.And Ethelnoth the monk, who had been dean at Christ's church, was the same year on the ides of November consecrated Bishop of Christ's church by Archbishop Wulfstan.

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

A.D.1021.This year King Knute, at Martinmas, outlawed Earl Thurkyll; and Bishop Elfgar, the abundant giver of alms, died in the morning of Christmas day.

A.D.1022.This year went King Knute out with his ships to the Isle of Wight.And Bishop Ethelnoth went to Rome; where he was received with much honour by Benedict the magnificent pope, who with his own hand placed the pall upon him, and with great pomp consecrated him archbishop, and blessed him, on the nones of October.The archbishop on the self-same day with the same pall performed mass, as the pope directed him, after which he was magnificently entertained by the pope himself; and afterwards with a full blessing proceeded homewards.Abbot Leofwine, who had been unjustly expelled from Ely, was his companion; and he cleared himself of everything, which, as the pope informed him, had been laid to his charge, on the testimony of the archbishop and of all the company that were with him.

((A.D.1022.And afterwards with the pall he there [at Rome] performed mass as the pope instructed him: and he feasted after that with the pope; and afterwards went home with a full blessing.))

A.D.1023.This year returned King Knute to England; and Thurkyll and he were reconciled.He committed Denmark and his son to the care of Thurkyll, whilst he took Thurkyll's son with him to England.This year died Archbishop Wulfstan; and Elfric succeeded him; and Archbishop Egelnoth blessed him in Canterbury.This year King Knute in London, in St.Paul's minster, gave full leave (60) to Archbishop Ethelnoth, Bishop Britwine, and all God's servants that were with them, that they might take up from the grave the archbishop, Saint Elphege.And they did so, on the sixth day before the ides of June; and the illustrious king, and the archbishop, and the diocesan bishops, and the earls, and very many others, both clergy and laity, carried by ship his holy corpse over the Thames to Southwark.And there they committed the holy martyr to the archbishop and his companions; and they with worthy pomp and sprightly joy carried him to Rochester.There on the third day came the Lady Emma with her royal son Hardacnute; and they all with much majesty, and bliss, and songs of praise, carried the holy archbishop into Canterbury, and so brought him gloriously into the church, on the third day before the ides of June.Afterwards, on the eighth day, the seventeenth before the calends of July, Archbishop Ethelnoth, and Bishop Elfsy, and Bishop Britwine, and all they that were with them, lodged the holy corpse of Saint Elphege on the north side of the altar of Christ; to the praise of God, and to the glory of the holy archbishop, and to the everlasting salvation of all those who there his holy body daily seek with earnest heart and all humility.May God Almighty have mercy on all Christian men through the holy intercession of Elphege!

((A.D.1023.And he caused St.Elphege's remains to be borne from London to Canterbury.))

A.D.1025.This year went King Knute to Denmark with a fleet to the holm by the holy river; where against him came Ulf and Eglaf, with a very large force both by land and sea, from Sweden.There were very many men lost on the side of King Knute, both of Danish and English; and the Swedes had possession of the field of battle.

A.D.1026.This year went Bishop Elfric to Rome, and received the pall of Pope John on the second day before the ides of November.

A.D.1028.This year went King Knute from England to Norway with fifty ships manned with English thanes, and drove King Olave from the land, which he entirely secured to himself.

A.D.1029.This year King Knute returned home to England.

A.D.1030.This year returned King Olave into Norway; but the people gathered together against him, and fought against him; and he was there slain, in Norway, by his own people, and was afterwards canonised.Before this, in the same year, died Hacon the doughty earl, at sea.

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

A.D.1031.This year returned King Knute; and as soon as he came to England he gave to Christ's church in Canterbury the haven of Sandwich, and all the rights that arise therefrom, on either side of the haven; so that when the tide is highest and fullest, and there be a ship floating as near the land as possible, and there be a man standing upon the ship with a taper-axe in his hand, whithersoever the large taper-axe might be thrown out of the ship, throughout all that land the ministers of Christ's church should enjoy their rights.This year went King Knute to Rome; and the same year, as soon as he returned home, he went to Scotland; and Malcolm, king of the Scots, submitted to him, and became his man, with two other kings, Macbeth and Jehmar; but he held his allegiance a little while only.Robert, Earl of Normandy, went this year to Jerusalem, where he died; and William, who was afterwards King of England, succeeded to the earldom, though he was a child.

A.D.1032.This year appeared that wild fire, such as no man ever remembered before, which did great damage in many places.The same year died Elfsy, Bishop of Winchester; and Elfwin, the king's priest, succeeded him.

A.D.1033.This year died Bishop Merewhite in Somersetshire, who is buried at Glastonbury; and Bishop Leofsy, whose body resteth at Worcester, and to whose see Brihteh was promoted.

A.D.1034.This year died Bishop Etheric, who lies at Ramsey.

A.D.1035.This year died King Knute at Shaftesbury, on the second day before the ides of November; and he is buried at Winchester in the old minster.He was king over all England very near twenty winters.Soon after his decease, there was a council of all the nobles at Oxford; wherein Earl Leofric, and almost all the thanes north of the Thames, and the naval men in London, chose Harold to be governor of all England, for himself and his brother Hardacnute, who was in Denmark.Earl Godwin, and all the eldest men in Wessex, withstood it as long as they could; but they could do nothing against it.It was then resolved that Elfgiva, the mother of Hardacnute, should remain at Winchester with the household of the king her son.They held all Wessex in hand, and Earl Godwin was their chief man.Some men said of Harold, that he was the son of King Knute and of Elfgive the daughter of Alderman Elfelm; but it was thought very incredible by many men.He was, nevertheless, full king over all England.Harold himself said that he was the son of Knute and of Elfgive the Hampshire lady; though it was not true; but he sent and ordered to be taken from her all the best treasure that she could not hold, which King Knute possessed; and she nevertheless abode there continually within the city as long as she could.

A.D.1036.This year came hither Alfred the innocent etheling, son of King Ethelred, and wished to visit his mother, who abode at Winchester: but Earl Godwin, and other men who had much power in this land, did not suffer it; because such conduct was very agreeable to Harold, though it was unjust.Him did Godwin let, and in prison set.His friends, who did not fly, they slew promiscuously.And those they did not sell, like slaughter'd cattle fell!Whilst some they spared to bind, only to wander blind!Some ham-strung, helpless stood, whilst others they pursued.A deed more dreary none in this our land was done, since Englishmen gave place to hordes of Danish race.But repose we must in God our trust, that blithe as day with Christ live they, who guiltless died— their country's pride!The prince with courage met each cruel evil yet; till 'twas decreed, they should him lead, all bound, as he was then, to Ely-bury fen.But soon their royal prize bereft they of his eyes!Then to the monks they brought their captive; where he sought a refuge from his foes till life's sad evening close.His body ordered then these good and holy men, according to his worth, low in the sacred earth, to the steeple full-nigh, in the south aile to lie of the transept west— his soul with Christ doth rest.

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

A.D.1037.This year men chose Harold king over all; and forsook Hardacnute, because he was too long in Denmark; and then drove out his mother Elgiva, the relict of King Knute, without any pity, against the raging winter!She, who was the mother of Edward as well as of King Hardacnute, sought then the peace of Baldwin by the south sea.Then came she to Bruges, beyond sea; and Earl Baldwin well received her there; and he gave her a habitation at Bruges, and protected her, and entertained her there as long as she had need.Ere this in the same year died Eafy, the excellent Dean of Evesham.

((A.D.1037.This year was driven out Elfgive, King Canute's relict; she was King Hardecanute's mother; and she then sought the protection of Baldwin south of the sea, and he gave her a dwelling in Bruges, and protected and kept her, the while that she there was.))

A.D.1038.This year died Ethelnoth, the good archbishop, on the calends of November; and, within a little of this time, Bishop Ethelric in Sussex, who prayed to God that he would not let him live any time after his dear father Ethelnoth; and within seven nights of this he also departed.Then, before Christmas, died Bishop Brihteh in Worcestershire; and soon after this, Bishop Elfric in East Anglia.Then succeeded Bishop Edsy to the archbishopric, Grimkytel to the see of Sussex, and Bishop Lifing to that of Worcester shire and Gloucestershire.

((A.D.1038.This year died Ethelnoth, the good archbishop, on
the kalends of November, and a little after, Ethelric, bishop in
Sussex, and then before Christmas, Briteagus, Bishop in
Worcestershire, and soon after, Elfric, bishop in East-Anglia.) )

A.D.1039.This year happened the terrible wind; and Bishop
Britmar died at Lichfield. The Welsh slew Edwin, brother of Earl
Leofric, and Thurkil, and Elfget, and many good men with them.
This year also came Hardacnute to Bruges, where his mother was.

((A.D.1039.This year King Harold died at Oxford, on the sixteenth before the kalends of April, and he was buried at Westminster.And he ruled England four years and sixteen weeks; and in his days sixteen ships were retained in pay, at the rate of eight marks for each rower, in like manner as had been before done in the days of King Canute.And in this same year came King Hardecanute to Sandwich, seven days before midsummer.And he was soon acknowledged as well by English as by Danes; though his advisers afterwards grievously requited it, when they decreed that seventy-two ships should be retained in pay, at the rate of eight marks for each rower.And in this same year the sester of wheat went up to fifty-five pence, and even further.))

A.D.1040.This year died King Harold at Oxford, on the sixteenth before the calends of April; and he was buried at Westminster.He governed England four years and sixteen weeks; and in his days tribute was paid to sixteen ships, at the rate of eight marks for each steersman, as was done before in King Knute's days.The same year they sent after Hardacnute to Bruges, supposing they did well; and he came hither to Sandwich with sixty ships, seven nights before midsummer.He was soon received both by the Angles and Danes, though his advisers afterwards severely paid for it.They ordered a tribute for sixty-two ships, at the rate of eight marks for each steersman.Then were alienated from him all that before desired him; for he framed nothing royal during his whole reign.He ordered the dead Harold to be dragged up and thrown into a ditch.This year rose the sester of wheat to fifty-five pence, and even further.This year Archbishop Edsy went to Rome.

((A.D.1040.This year was the tribute paid; that twenty-one thousand pounds and ninety-nine pounds.And after that they paid to thirty-two ships, eleven thousand and forty-eight pounds.And, in this same year, came Edward, son of King Ethelred, hither to land, from Weal-land; he was brother of King Hardecanute: they were both sons of Elfgive; Emma, who was daughter of Earl Richard.))

A.D.1041.This year was the tribute paid to the army; that was, 21,099 pounds; and afterwards to thirty-two ships, 11,048 pounds.This year also ordered Hardacnute to lay waste all Worcestershire, on account of the two servants of his household, who exacted the heavy tribute.That people slew them in the town within the minster.Early in this same year came Edward, the son of King Ethelred, hither to land, from Weal-land to Madron.He was the brother of King Hardacnute, and had been driven from this land for many years: but he was nevertheless sworn as king, and abode in his brother's court while he lived.They were both sons of Elfgive Emma, who was the daughter o[oe] Earl Richard.In this year also Hardacnute betrayed Eadulf, under the mask of friendship.He was also allied to him by marriage.This year was Egelric consecrated Bishop of York, on the third day before the ides of January.

((A.D.1041.This year died King Hardecanute at Lambeth, on the sixth before the ides of June: and he was king over all England two years wanting ten days; and he is buried in the Old-minster at Winchester with King Canute his father.And his mother, for his soul, gave to the New-minster the head of St.Valentine the martyr.And before he was buried, all people chose Edward for king at London: may he hold it the while that God shall grant it to him!And all that year was a very heavy time, in many things and divers, as well in respect to ill seasons as to the fruits of the earth.And so much cattle perished in the year as no man before remembered, as well through various diseases as through tempests.And in this same time died Elsinus, Abbot of Peterborough; and then Arnwius the monk was chosen abbot, because he was a very good man, and of great simplicity.))

A.D.1042.This year died King Hardacnute at Lambeth, as he stood drinking: he fell suddenly to the earth with a tremendous struggle; but those who were nigh at hand took him up; and he spoke not a word afterwards, but expired on the sixth day before the ides of June.He was king over all England two years wanting ten nights; and he is buried in the old minster at Winchester with King Knute his father.And his mother for his soul gave to the new minster the head of St.Valentine the Martyr: and ere he was buried all people chose Edward for king in London.And they received him as their king, as was natural; and he reigned as long as God granted him.All that year was the season very severe in many and various respects: both from the inclemency of the weather, and the loss of the fruits of the earth.More cattle died this year than any man ever remembered, either from various diseases, or from the severity of the weather.At this same time died Elfsinus, Abbot of Peterborough; and they chose Arnwy, a monk, for their abbot; because he was a very good and benevolent man.

A.D.1043.This year was Edward consecrated king at Winchester, early on Easter-day, with much pomp.Then was Easter on the third day before the nones of April.Archbishop Edsy consecrated him, and before all people well admonished him.And Stigand the priest was consecrated bishop over the East Angles.And this year, fourteen nights before the mass of St.Andrew, it was advised the king, that he and Earl Leofric and Earl Godwin and Earl Siward with their retinue, should ride from Gloucester to Winchester unawares upon the lady; and they deprived her of all the treasures that she had; which were immense; because she was formerly very hard upon the king her son, and did less for him than he wished before he was king, and also since: but they suffered her to remain there afterwards.And soon after this the king determined to invest all the land that his mother had in her hands, and took from her all that she had in gold and in silver and in numberless things; because she formerly held it too fast against him.Soon after this Stigand was deprived of his bishopric; and they took all that he had into their hands for the king, because he was nighest the counsel of his mother; and she acted as he advised, as men supposed.

((A.D.1043.This year was Edward consecrated king at Winchester on the first day of Easter.And this year, fourteen days before Andrew's-mass, the king was advised to ride from Gloucester, and Leofric the earl, and Godwin the earl, and Sigwarth [Siward] the earl, with their followers, to Winchester, unawares upon the lady [Emma]; and they bereaved her of all the treasures which she possessed, they were not to be told, because before that she had been very hard with the king her son; inasmuch as she had done less for him than he would, before he was king, and also since: and they suffered her after that to remain therein.This year King Edward took the daughter [Edgitha] of Godwin the earl for his wife.And in this same year died Bishop Brithwin, and he held the bishopric thirty-eight years, that was the bishopric of Sherborne, and Herman the king's priest succeeded to the bishopric.And in this year Wulfric was hallowed Abbot of St.Augustine's at Christmas, on Stephen's mass-day, by leave of the king, and, on account of his great infirmity, of Abbot Elfstun.))

A.D.1044.This year Archbishop Edsy resigned his see from infirmity, and consecrated Siward, Abbot of Abingdon, bishop thereto, with the permission and advice of the king and Earl Godwin.It was known to few men else before it was done; because the archbishop feared that some other man would either beg or buy it, whom he might worse trust and oblige than him, if it were known to many men.This year there was very great hunger over all England, and corn so dear as no man remembered before; so that the sester of wheat rose to sixty pence, and even further.And this same year the king went out to Sandwich with thirty-five ships; and Athelstan, the churchwarden, succeeded to the abbacy of Abingdon, and Stigand returned to his bishopric.In the same year also King Edward took to wife Edgitha, the daughter of Earl Godwin, ten nights before Candlemas.And in the same year died Britwold, Bishop of Wiltshire, on the tenth day before the calends of May; which bishopric he held thirty-eight winters; that was, the bishopric of Sherborn.And Herman, the king's priest, succeeded to the bishopric.This year Wulfric was consecrated Abbot of St.Augustine's, at Christmas, on the mass-day of St.Stephen, by the king's leave and that of Abbot Elfstan, by reason of his great infirmity.

((A.D.1044.This year died Living, Bishop in Devonshire, and Leoftic succeeded thereto; he was the king's priest.And in this same year died Elfstan, Abbot of St.Augustine's, on the third before the nones of July.And in this same year was outlawed Osgod Clapa.))

A.D.1045.This year died Elfward, Bishop of London, on the eighth day before the calends of August.He was formerly Abbot of Evesham, and well furthered that monastery the while that he was there.He went then to Ramsey, and there resigned his life: and Mannie was chosen abbot, being consecrated on the fourth day before the ides of August.This year Gunnilda, a woman of rank, a relative of King Knute, was driven out, and resided afterwards at Bruges a long while, and then went to Denmark.King Edward during the year collected a large fleet at Sandwich, through the threatening of Magnus of Norway; but his contests with Sweyne in Denmark prevented him from coming hither.

((A.D.1045.This year died Grimkytel, Bishop in Sussex, and Heca, the king's priest, succeeded thereto.And in this year died Alwyn, Bishop of Winchester, on the fourth before the kalends of September; and Stigand, bishop to the north [Flanders], succeeded thereto.And in the same year Sweyn the earl went out to Baldwin's land [Of Elmham] to Bruges and abode there all the winter; and then in summer he went out.))

A.D.1046.This year died Lifting, the eloquent bishop, on the tenth day before the calends of April.He had three bishoprics; one in Devonshire, one in Cornwall, and another in Worcestershire.Then succeeded Leofric, who was the king's priest, to Devonshire and to Cornwall, and Bishop Aldred to Worcestershire.This year died Elfwine, Bishop of Winchester, on the fourth day before the calends of September; and Stigand, Bishop of Norfolk, was raised to his see.Ere this, in the same year, died Grimkytel, Bishop of Sussex; and he lies at Christ-church, in Canterbury.And Heca, the' king's priest, succeeded to the bishopric.Sweyne also sent hither, and requested the aid of fifty ships against Magnus, king of the Norwegians; but it was thought unwise by all the people, and it was prevented, because that Magnus had a large navy: and he drove Sweyne out, and with much slaughter won the land.The Danes then gave him much money, and received him as king.The same year Magnus died.The same year also Earl Sweyne went out to Baldwin's land, to Bruges; and remained there all the winter.In the summer he departed.

A.D.1046.This year went Earl Sweyne into Wales; and Griffin, king of the northern men with him; and hostages were delivered to him.As he returned homeward, he ordered the Abbess of Leominster to be fetched him; and he had her as long as he list, after which he let her go home.In this same year was outlawed Osgod Clapa, the master of horse, before midwinter.And in the same year, after Candlemas, came the strong winter, with frost and with snow, and with all kinds of bad weather; so that there was no man then alive who could remember so severe a winter as this was, both through loss of men and through loss of cattle; yea, fowls and fishes through much cold and hunger perished.

((A.D.1046.This year died Brithwin, bishop in Wiltshire, and Herman was appointed to his see.In that year King Edward gathered a large ship-force at Sandwich, on account of the threatening of Magnus in Norway: but his and Sweyn's contention in Denmark hindered his coming here.This year died Athelstan, Abbot of Abingdon, and Sparhawk, monk of St.Edmund's-bury, succeeded him.And in this same year died bishop Siward, and Archbishop Eadsine again obtained the whole bishopric.And in this same year Lothen and Irling came with twenty-five ships to Sandwich, and there took unspeakable booty, in men, and in gold, and in silver, so that no man knew how much it all was.And they then went about Thanet, and would there do the like; but the land's-folk strenuously withstood them, and denied them as well landing as water; and thence utterly put them to flight.And they betook themselves then into Essex, and there they ravaged, and took men, and property, and whatsoever they might find.And they betook themselves then east to Baldwine's land, and there they sold what they had plundered; and after that went their way east, whence they before had come.In this year was the great synod at St.Remi's [Rheins].Thereat was Leo the pope, and the Archbishop of Burgundy [Lyons], and the Archbishop of Besancon, and the Archbishop of Treves, and the Archbishop of Rheims; and many men besides, both clergy and laity.And King Edward sent thither Bishop Dudoc [Of Wells], and Wulfric, Abbot of St.Augustine's, and Abbot Elfwin [Of Ramsey], that they might make known to the king what should be there resolved on for Christendom.And in this same year King Edward went out to Sandwich with a great fleet.And Sweyn the earl, son of Godwin the earl, came in to Bosham with seven ships; and he obtained the king's protection, and he was promised that he should be held worthy of everything which he before possessed.Then Harold the earl, his brother, and Beorn the earl contended that he should not be held worthy of any of the things which the king had granted to them: but a protection of four days was appointed him to go to his ships.Then befell it during this, that word came to the king that hostile ships lay westward, and were ravaging.Then went Godwin the earl west about with two of the king's ships; the one commanded Harold the earl, and the other Tosty his brother; and forty-two of the people's ships.Then Harold the earl was removed from the king's ship which Harold the earl before had commanded.Then went they west to Pevensey, and lay there weather-bound.Upon this, after two days, then came Sweyn the earl thither, and spoke with his father, and with Beorn the earl, and begged of Beorn that he would go with him to the king at Sandwich, and help him to the king's friendship: and he granted it.Then went they as if they would go to the king.Then whilst they were riding, then begged Sweyn of him that he would go with him to his ships: saying that his seamen would depart from him unless he should at the soonest come thither.Then went they both where his ships lay.When they came thither, then begged Sweyn the earl of him that he would go with him on ship-board.He strenuously refused, so long as until his seamen seized him, and threw him into the boat, and bound him, and rowed to the ship, and put him there aboard.Then they hoisted up their sails and ran west to Exmouth, and had him with them until they slew him: and they took the body and buried it in a church.And then his friends and litsmen came from London, and took him up, and bore him to Winchester to the Old-minster, and he is there buried with King Canute his uncle.And Sweyn went then east to Baldwin's land, and sat down there all the winter at Bruges, with his full protection.And in the same year died Eadnoth [II.]bishop [Of Dorchester] of the north and Ulf was made bishop.))

A.D.1047.This year died Athelstan, Abbot of Abingdon, on the fourth day before the calends of April; and Sparhawk, monk of St.Edmundsbury, succeeded him.Easter day was then on the third day before the nones of April; and there was over all England very great loss of men this year also.The same year came to Sandwich Lothen and Irling, with twenty-five ships, and plundered and took incalculable spoil, in men, and in gold, and in silver, so that no man wist what it all was; and went then about Thanet, and would there have done the same; but the land-folk firmly withstood, and resisted them both by land and sea, and thence put them to flight withal.They betook themselves thence into Essex, where they plundered and took men, and whatsoever they could find, whence they departed eastward to Baldwin's land, and having deposited the booty they had gained, they returned east to the place whence they had come before.

((A.D.1047.This year died Living the eloquent bishop, on the tenth before the kalends of April, and he had three bishoprics; one in Devonshire, and in Cornwall, and in Worcester.Then Leofric (61) succeeded to Devonshire and to Cornwall, and Bishop Aldred to Worcester.And in this year Osgod, the master of the horse, was outlawed: and Magnus [King of Norway] won Denmark.In this year there was a great council in London at mid-Lent, and nine ships of lightermen were discharged, and five remained behind.In this same year came Sweyn the earl into England.And in this same year was the great synod at Rome, and King Edward sent thither Bishop Heroman and Bishop Aldred; and they came thither on Easter eve.And afterwards the pope held a synod at Vercelli, and Bishop Ulf came thereto; and well nigh would they have broken his staff, if he had not given very great gifts; because he knew not how to do his duty so well as he should.And in this year died Archbishop Eadsine, on the fourth before the kalends of November.))

A.D.1048.This year came Sweyne back to Denmark; and Harold, the uncle of Magnus, went to Norway on the death of Magnus, and the Northmen submitted to him.He sent an embassy of peace to this land, as did also Sweyne from Denmark, requesting of King Edward naval assistance to the amount at least of fifty ships; but all the people resisted it.This year also there was an earthquake, on the calends of May, in many places; at Worcester, at Wick, and at Derby, and elsewhere wide throughout England; with very great loss by disease of men and of cattle over all England; and the wild fire in Derbyshire and elsewhere did much harm.In the same year the enemy plundered Sandwich, and the Isle of Wight, and slew the best men that were there; and King Edward and the earls went out after them with their ships.The same year Bishop Siward resigned his bishopric from infirmity, and retired to Abingdon; upon which Archbishop Edsy resumed the bishopric; and he died within eight weeks of this, on the tenth day before the calends of November.

((A.D.1048.This year was the severe winter: and this year died Alwyn, Bishop of Winchester, and Bishop Stigand was raised to his see.And before that, in the same year, died Grinketel, Bishop in Sussex, and Heca the priest succeeded to the bishopric.And Sweyn also sent hither, begging assistance against Magnus, King of Norway; that fifty ships should be sent to his aid.But it seemed unadvisable to all people: and it was then hindered by reason that Magnus had a great ship-force.And he then drove out Sweyn, and with much man-slaying won the land: and the Danes paid him much money and acknowledged him as king.And that same year Magnus died.In this year King Edward appointed Robert, of London, Archbishop of Canterbury, during Lent.And in the same Lent he went to Rome after his pall: and the king gave the bishopric of London to Sparhafoc, Abbot of Abingdon; and the king gave the abbacy of Abingdon to Bishop Rodulf, his kinsman.Then came the archbishop from Rome one day before St.Peter's mass-eve, and entered on his archiepiscopal see at Christ's Church on St.Peter's mass-day; and soon after went to the king.Then came Abbot Sparhafoc to him with the king's writ and seal, in order that he should consecrate him Bishop of London.Then the archbishop refused, and said that the pope had forbidden it him.Then went the abbot to the archbishop again for that purpose, and there desired episcopal ordination; and the archbishop constantly refused him, and said that the pope had forbidden it him.Then went the abbot to London, and occupied the bishopric which the king before had granted him, with his full leave, all the summer and the harvest.And then came Eustace [Earl of Boulogne] from beyond sea soon after the bishop, and went to the king, and spoke with him that which he then would, and went then homeward.When he came to Canterbury, east, then took he refreshment there, and his men, and went to Dover.When he was some mile or more, on this side of Dover, then he put on his breast-plate, and so did all his companions, and went to Dover.When they came thither, then would they lodge themselves where they chose.Then came one of his men, and would abide in the house of a householder against his will, and wounded the householder; and the householder slew the other.Then Eustace got upon his horse, and his companions upon theirs; and they went to the householder, and slew him within his own dwelling; and they went up towards the town, and slew, as well within as without, more than twenty men.And the townsmen slew nineteen men on the other side, and wounded they knew not how many.And Eustace escaped with a few men, and went again to the king, and made known to him, in part, how they had fared.And the king became very wroth with the townsmen.And the king sent off Godwin the earl, and bade him go into Kent in a hostile manner to Dover: for Eustace had made it appear to the king, that it had been more the fault of the townsmen than his: but it was not so.And the earl would not consent to the inroad, because he was loth to injure his own people.Then the king sent after all his council, and bade them come to Gloucester, nigh the aftermass of St.Mary.Then had the Welshmen erected a castle in Herefordshire among the people of Sweyn the earl, and wrought every kind of harm and disgrace to the king's men there about which they could.Then came Godwin the earl, and Sweyn the earl, and Harold the earl, together at Beverstone, and many men with them, in order that they might go to their royal lord, and to all the peers who were assembled with him, in order that they might have the advice of the king and his aid, and of all this council, how they might avenge the king's disgrace, and the whole nation's.Then were the Welshmen with the king beforehand, and accused the earls, so that they might not come within his eyes' sight; because they said that they were coming thither in order to betray the king.Thither had come Siward the earl [Of Northumbria] and Leofric the earl [Of Mercia], and much people with them, from the north, to the king; and it was made known to the Earl Godwin and his sons, that the king and the men who were with him, were taking counsel concerning them: and they arrayed themselves on the other hand resolutely, though it were loathful to them that they should stand against their royal lord.Then the peers on either side decreed that every kind of evil should cease: and the king gave the peace of God and his full friendship to either side.Then the king and his peers decreed that a council of all the nobles should be held for the second time in London at the harvest equinox; and the king directed the army to be called out, as well south of the Thames as north, all that was in any way most eminent.Then declared they Sweyn the earl an outlaw, and summoned Godwin the earl and Harold the earl, to the council, as quickly as they could effect it.When they had come thither, then were they summoned into the council.Then required he safe conduct and hostages, so that he might come, unbetrayed, into the council and out of the council.Then the king demanded all the thanes whom the earls before had: and they granted them all into his hands.Then the king sent again to them, and commanded them that they should come with twelve men to the king's council.Then the earl again required safe conduct and hostages, that he might defend himself against each of those things which were laid to him.Then were the hostages refused him; and he was allowed a safe conduct for five nights to go out of the land.And then Godwin the earl and Sweyn the earl went to Bosham, and shoved out their ships, and betook themselves beyond sea, and sought Baldwin's protection, and abode there all the winter.And Harold the earl went west to Ireland, and was there all the winter within the king's protection.And soon after this happened, then put away the king the lady who had been consecrated his queen [Editha], and caused to be taken from her all which she possessed, in land, and in gold, and in silver, and in all things, and delivered her to his sister at Wherwell.And Abbot Sparhafoc was then driven out of the bishopric of London, and William the king's priest was ordained thereto.And then Odda was appointed earl over Devonshire, and over Somerset, and over Dorset, and over the Welsh.And Algar, the son of Leofric the earl, was appointed to the earldom which Harold before held.))

A.D.1049.(62) This year the emperor gathered an innumerable army against Baldwin of Bruges, because he had destroyed the palace of Nimeguen, and because of many other ungracious acts that he did against him.The army was immense that he had collected together.There was Leo, the Pope of Rome, and the patriarch, and many other great men of several provinces.He sent also to King Edward, and requested of him naval aid, that he might not permit him to escape from him by water.Whereupon he went to Sandwich, and lay there with a large naval armament, until the emperor had all that he wished of Baldwin.Thither also came back again Earl Sweyne, who had gone from this land to Denmark, and there ruined his cause with the Danes.He came hither with a pretence, saying that he would again submit to the king, and be his man; and he requested Earl Beorn to be of assistance to him, and give him land to feed him on.But Harold, his brother, and Earl Beorn resisted, and would give him nothing of that which the king had given them.The king also refused him everything.Whereupon Swevne retired to his ships at Bosham.Then, after the settlement between the emperor and Baldwin, many ships went home, and the king remained behind Sandwich with a few ships.Earl Godwin also sailed forty-two ships from Sandwich to Pevensey, and Earl Beorn went with him.Then the king gave leave to all the Mercians to return home, and they did so.Then it was told the king that Osgod lay at Ulps with thirty-nine ships; whereupon the king sent after the ships that he might dispatch, which before had gone homewards, but still lay at the Nore.Then Osgod fetched his wife from Bruges; and they went back again with six ships; but the rest went towards Essex, to Eadulf's-ness, and there plundered, and then returned to their ships.But there came upon them a strong wind, so that they were all lost but four persons, who were afterwards slain beyond sea.Whilst Earl Godwin and Earl Beorn lay at Pevensey with their ships, came Earl Sweyne, and with a pretence requested of Earl Beorn, who was his uncle's son, that he would be his companion to the king at Sandwich, and better his condition with him; adding, that he would swear oaths to him, and be faithful to him.Whereupon Beorn concluded, that he would not for their relationship betray him.He therefore took three companions with him, and they rode to Bosham, where his (63) ships lay, as though they should proceed to Sandwich; but they suddenly bound him, and led him to the ships, and went thence with him to Dartmouth, where they ordered him to be slain and buried deep.He was afterwards found, and Harold his cousin fetched him thence, and led him to Winchester, to the old minster, where he buried him with King Knute, his uncle.Then the king and all the army proclaimed Sweyne an outlaw.A little before this the men of Hastings and thereabout fought his two ships with their ships, and slew all the men, and brought the ships to Sandwich to the king.Eight ships had he, ere he betrayed Beorn; afterwards they all forsook him except two; whereupon he went eastward to the land of Baldwin, and sat there all the winter at Bruges, in full security.In the same year came up from Ireland thirty-six ships on the Welsh coast, and thereabout committed outrages, with the aid of Griffin, the Welsh king.The people were soon gathered against them, and there was also with them Bishop Eldred, but they had too little assistance, and the enemy came unawares on them very early in the morning, and slew on the spot many good men; but the others burst forth with the bishop.This was done on the fourth day before the calends of August.This year died the good Bishop Ednoth in Oxfordshire; and Oswy, Abbot of Thomey; and Wulfnoth, Abbot of Westminster; and King Edward gave the bishopric which Ednoth had to Ulf his priest, but it ill betided him; and he was driven from it, because he did nought like a bishop therein, so that it shameth us now to say more.Bishop Siward also died who lies at Abingdon.In this same year King Edward put nine ships out of pay; and the crews departed, and went away with the ships withal, leaving five ships only behind, for whom the king ordered twelve months pay.The same year went Bishops Hereman and Aldred to the pope at Rome on the king's errand.This year was also consecrated the great minster at Rheims, in the presence of Pope Leo and the emperor.There was also a great synod at St.Remy; (64) at which was present Pope Leo, with the Archbishops of Burgundy, of Besancon, of Treves, and of Rheims; and many wise men besides, both clergy and laity.A great synod there held they respecting the service of God, at the instance of St.Leo the pope.It is difficult to recognise all the bishops that came thither, and also abbots.King Edward sent thither Bishop Dudoc, and Abbot Wulfric, of St.Augustine's, and Elfwin, Abbot of Ramsey, with the intent that they should report to the king what was determined there concerning Christendom.This same year came Earl Sweyne into England.

((A.D.1049.This year Sweyn came again to Denmark, and Harold.uncle of Magnus, went to Norway after Magnus was dead; and the Normans acknowledged him: and he sent hither to land concerning peace.And Sweyn also sent from Denmark, and begged of King Edward the aid of his ships.They were to be at least fifty ships: but all people opposed it.And this year also there was an earthquake, on the kalends of May, in many places in Worcester, and in Wick, and in Derby, and elsewhere; and also there was a great mortality among men, and murrain among cattle: and moreover, the wild-fire did much evil in Derbyshire and elsewhere.))

A.D.1050.This year returned the bishops home from Rome; (65) and Earl Sweyne had his sentence of outlawry reversed.The same year died Edsy, Archbishop of Canterbury, on the fourth day before the calends of November; and also in the same year Elfric, Archbishop of York, on the eleventh before the calends of February, a very venerable man and wise, and his body lies at Peterborough.Then had King Edward a meeting of the great council in London, in mid-lent, at which he appointed Robert the Frank, who was before Bishop of London, Archbishop of Canterbury; and he, during the same Lent, went to Rome after his pall.The king meanwhile gave the see of London to Sparhawk, Abbot of Abingdon, but it was taken from him again before he was consecrated.The king also gave the abbacy of Abingdon to Bishop Rodulph his cousin.The same year he put all the lightermen out of pay.(66) The pope held a council again, at Vercelli; and Bishop Ulf came thither, where he nearly had his staff broken, had he not paid more money, because he could not perform his duties so well as he should do.The same year King Edward abolished the Danegeld which King Ethelred imposed.That was in the thirty-ninth year after it had begun.That tribute harassed all the people of England so long as is above written; and it was always paid before other imposts, which were levied indiscriminately, and vexed men variously.

((A.D.1050.Thither also came Sweyn the earl, who before had gone from this land to Denmark, and who there had ruined himself with the Danes.He came thither with false pretences; saying that he would again be obedient to the king.And Beorn the earl promised him that he would be of assistance to him.Then, after the reconciliation of the emperor and of Baldwin, many of the ships went home, and the king remained behind at Sandwich with a few ships; and Godwin the earl also went with forty-two ships from Sandwich to Pevensey, and Beorn the earl went with him.Then was it made known to the king that Osgood lay at Ulps with thirty-nine ships; and the king then sent after the ships which before had gone home, that he might send after him.And Osgod fetched his wife from Bruges, and they went back again with six ships.And the others landed in Sussex [Essex] at Eadulf-ness, and there did harm, and went again to their ships: and then a strong wind came against them, so that they were all destroyed, except four, whose crews were slain beyond sea.While Godwin the earl and Beorn the earl lay at Pevensey, then came Sweyn the earl, and begged Beorn the earl, with fraud, who was his uncle's son, that he would be his companion to the king at Sandwich, and better his affairs with him.He went then, on account of the relationship, with three companions, with him; and he led him then towards Bosham, where his ships lay: and then they bound him, and led him on ship-board.Then went he thence with him to Dartmouth, and there ordered him to be slain, and deeply buried.Afterwards he was found, and borne to Winchester, and buried with king Canute his uncle.A little before that, the men of Hastings and thereabout, fought two of his ships with their ships; and slew all the men, and brought the ships to Sandwich to the king.Eight ships he had before he betrayed Beorn; after that all forsook him except two.In the same year arrived in the Welsh Axa, from Ireland, thirty-six ships, and thereabout did harm, with the help of Griffin the Welsh king.The people were gathered together against them; Bishop Aldred [Of Worchester] was also there with them; but they had too little power.And they came unawares upon them at very early morn; and there they slew many good men, and the others escaped with the bishop: this was done on the fourth before the kalends of August.This year died, in Oxfordshire, Oswy, Abbot of Thorney, and Wulfnoth, Abbot of Westminster; and Ulf the priest was appointed as pastor to the bishopric which Eadnoth had held; but he was after that driven away; because he did nothing bishop-like therein: so that it shameth us now to tell more about it.And Bishop Siward died: he lieth at Abingdon.And this year was consecrated the great minster at Rheims: there was Pope Leo [IX.]and the emperor [Henry III]; and there they held a great synod concerning God's service.St.Leo the pope presided at the synod: it is difficult to have a knowledge of the bishops who came there, and how many abbots: and hence, from this land were sent two—from St.Augustine's and from Ramsey.))

A.D.1051.This year came Archbishop Robert hither over sea with his pall from Rome, one day before St.Peter's eve: and he took his archiepiscopal seat at Christ-church on St.Peter's day, and soon after this went to the king.Then came Abbot Sparhawk to him with the king's writ and seal, to the intent that he should consecrate him Bishop o[oe] London; but the archbishop refused, saying that the pope had forbidden him.Then went the abbot to the archbishop again for the same purpose, and there demanded episcopal consecration; but the archbishop obstinately refused, repeating that the pope had forbidden him.Then went the abbot to London, and sat at the bishopric which the king had before given him, with his full leave, all the summer and the autumn.Then during the same year came Eustace, who had the sister of King Edward to wife, from beyond sea, soon after the bishop, and went to the king; and having spoken with him whatever he chose, he then went homeward.When he came to Canterbury eastward, there took he a repast, and his men; whence he proceeded to Dover.When he was about a mile or more on this side Dover, he put on his breast-plate; and so did all his companions: and they proceeded to Dover.When they came thither, they resolved to quarter themselves wherever they lived.Then came one of his men, and would lodge at the house of a master of a family against his will; but having wounded the master of the house, he was slain by the other.Then was Eustace quickly upon his horse, and his companions upon theirs; and having gone to the master of the family, they slew him on his own hearth; then going up to the boroughward, they slew both within and without more than twenty men.The townsmen slew nineteen men on the other side, and wounded more, but they knew not how many.Eustace escaped with a few men, and went again to the king, telling him partially how they had fared.The king was very wroth with the townsmen, and sent off Earl Godwin, bidding him go into Kent with hostility to Dover.For Eustace had told the king that the guilt of the townsmen was greater than his.But it was not so: and the earl would not consent to the expedition, because he was loth to destroy his own people.Then sent the king after all his council, and bade them come to Gloucester nigh the after-mass of St.Mary.Meanwhile Godwin took it much to heart, that in his earldom such a thing should happen.Whereupon be began to gather forces over all his earldom, and Earl Sweyne, his son, over his; and Harold, his other son, over his earldom: and they assembled all in Gloucestershire, at Langtree, a large and innumerable army, all ready for battle against the king; unless Eustace and his men were delivered to them handcuffed, and also the Frenchmen that were in the castle.This was done seven nights before the latter mass of St.Mary, when King Edward was sitting at Gloucester.Whereupon he sent after Earl Leofric, and north after Earl Siward, and summoned their retinues.At first they came to him with moderate aid; but when they found how it was in the south, then sent they north over all their earldom, and ordered a large force to the help of their lord.So did Ralph also over his earldom.Then came they all to Gloucester to the aid of the king, though it was late.So unanimous were they all in defence of the king, that they would seek Godwin's army if the king desired it.But some prevented that; because it was very unwise that they should come together; for in the two armies was there almost all that was noblest in England.They therefore prevented this, that they might not leave the land at the mercy of our foes, whilst engaged in a destructive conflict betwixt ourselves.Then it was advised that they should exchange hostages between them.And they issued proclamations throughout to London, whither all the people were summoned over all this north end in Siward's earldom, and in Leofric's, and also elsewhere; and Earl Godwin was to come thither with his sons to a conference; They came as far as Southwark, and very many with them from Wessex; but his army continually diminished more and more; for they bound over to the king all the thanes that belonged to Earl Harold his son, and outlawed Earl Sweyne his other son.When therefore it could not serve his purpose to come to a conference against the king and against the army that was with him, he went in the night away.In the morning the king held a council, and proclaimed him an outlaw, with his whole army; himself and his wife, and all his three sons—Sweyne and Tosty and Grith.And he went south to Thorney, (67) with his wife, and Sweyne his son, and Tosty and his wife, a cousin of Baldwin of Bruges, and his son Grith.Earl Harold with Leofwine went to Bristol in the ship that Earl Sweyne had before prepared and provisioned for himself; and the king sent Bishop Aldred from London with his retinue, with orders to overtake him ere he came to ship.But they either could not or would not: and he then went out from the mouth of the Avon; but he encountered such adverse weather, that he got off with difficulty, and suffered great loss.He then went forth to Ireland, as soon as the weather permitted.In the meantime the Welshmen had wrought a castle in Herefordshire, in the territory of Earl Sweyne, and brought as much injury and disgrace on the king's men thereabout as they could.Then came Earl Godwin, and Earl Sweyne, and Earl Harold, together at Beverstone, and many men with them; to the intent that they might go to their natural lord, and to all the peers that were assembled with him; to have the king's counsel and assistance, and that of all the peers, how they might avenge the insult offered to the king, and to all the nation.But the Welshmen were before with the king, and bewrayed the earls, so that they were not permitted to come within the sight of his eyes; for they declared that they intended to come thither to betray the king.There was now assembled before the king (68) Earl Siward, and Earl Leofric, and much people with them from the north: and it was told Earl Godwin and his sons, that the king and the men who were with him would take counsel against them; but they prepared themselves firmly to resist, though they were loth to proceed against their natural lord.Then advised the peers on either side, that they should abstain from all hostility: and the king gave God's peace and his full friendship to each party.Then advised the king and his council, that there should be a second time a general assembly of all the nobles in London, at the autumnal equinox: and the king ordered out an army both south and north of the Thames, the best that ever was.Then was Earl Sweyne proclaimed an outlaw; and Earl Godwin and Earl Harold were summoned to the council as early as they could come.When they came thither and were cited to the council, then required they security and hostages, that they might come into the council and go out without treachery.The king then demanded all the thanes that the earls had; and they put them all into his hands.Then sent the king again to them, and commanded them to come with twelve men to the king's council.Then desired the earl again security and hostages, that he might answer singly to each of the things that were laid to his charge.But the hostages were refused; and a truce of five nights was allowed him to depart from the land.Then went Earl Godwin and Earl Sweyne to Bosham, and drew out their ships, and went beyond sea, seeking the protection of Baldwin; and there they abode all the winter.Earl Harold went westward to Ireland, and was there all the winter on the king's security.It was from Thorney (69) that Godwin and those that were with him went to Bruges, to Baldwin's land, in one ship, with as much treasure as they could lodge therein for each man.Wonderful would it have been thought by every man that was then in England, if any person had said before this that it would end thus!For he was before raised to such a height, that he ruled the king and all England; his sons were earls, and the king's darlings; and his daughter wedded and united to the king.Soon after this took place, the king dismissed the lady who had been consecrated his queen, and ordered to be taken from her all that she had in land, and in gold, and in silver, and in all things; and committed her to the care of his sister at Wherwell.Soon after came Earl William from beyond sea with a large retinue of Frenchmen; and the king entertained him and as many of his companions as were convenient to him, and let him depart again.Then was Abbot Sparhawk driven from his bishopric at London; and William the king's priest was invested therewith.Then was Oddy appointed earl over Devonshire, and over Somerset, and over Dorset, and over Wales; and Algar, the son of Earl Leofric, was promoted to the earldom which Harold before possessed.

((A.D.1051.In this year died Eadsine, Archbishop of Canterbury; and the king gave to Robert the Frenchman, who before had been Bishop of London, the archbishopric.And Sparhafoc, Abbot of Abingdon, succeeded to the bishopric of London; and it was afterwards taken from him before he was consecrated.And Bishop Heroman and Bishop Aldred went to Rome.))

A.D.1052.This year, on the second day before the nones of March, died the aged Lady Elfgiva Emma, the mother of King Edward and of King Hardacnute, the relict of King Ethelred and of King Knute; and her body lies in the old minster with King Knute.At this time Griffin, the Welsh king, plundered in Herefordshire till he came very nigh to Leominster; and they gathered against him both the landsmen and the Frenchmen from the castle; and there were slain very many good men of the English, and also of the French.This was on the same day thirteen years after that Edwin was slain with his companions.In the same year advised the king and his council, that ships should be sent out to Sandwich, and that Earl Ralph and Earl Odda should be appointed headmen thereto.Then went Earl Godwin out from Bruges with his ships to Ysendyck; and sailed forth one day before midsummer-eve, till he came to the Ness that is to the south of Romney.When it came to the knowledge of the earls out at Sandwich, they went out after the other ships; and a land-force was also ordered out against the ships.Meanwhile Earl Godwin had warning, and betook himself into Pevensey: and the weather was so boisterous, that the earls could not learn what had become of Earl Godwin.But Earl Godwin then went out again until he came back to Bruges; and the other ships returned back again to Sandwich.Then it was advised that the ships should go back again to London, and that other earls and other pilots should be appointed over them.But it was delayed so long that the marine army all deserted; and they all betook themselves home.When Earl Godwin understood that, he drew up his sail and his ship: and they (70) went west at once to the Isle of Wight; and landing there, they plundered so long that the people gave them as much as they required of them.Then proceeded they westward until they came to Portland, where they landed and did as much harm as they could possibly do.Meanwhile Harold had gone out from Ireland with nine ships, and came up at Potlock with his ships to the mouth of the Severn, near the boundaries of Somerset and Devonshire, and there plundered much.The land-folk collected against him, both from Somerset and from Devonshire: but he put them to flight, and slew there more than thirty good thanes, besides others; and went soon after about Penwithstert, where was much people gathered against him; but he spared not to provide himself with meat, and went up and slew on the spot a great number of the people—seizing in cattle, in men, and in money, whatever he could.Then went he eastward to his father; and they went both together eastward (71) until they came to the Isle of Wight, where they seized whatever had been left them before.Thence they went to Pevensey, and got out with them as many ships as had gone in there, and so proceeded forth till they came to the Ness; (72) getting all the ships that were at Romney, and at Hithe, and at Folkstone.Then ordered King Edward to fit out forty smacks that lay at Sandwich many weeks, to watch Earl Godwin, who was at Bruges during the winter; but he nevertheless came hither first to land, so as to escape their notice.And whilst he abode in this land, he enticed to him all the Kentish men, and all the boatmen from Hastings, and everywhere thereabout by the sea-coast, and all the men of Essex and Sussex and Surrey, and many others besides.Then said they all that they would with him live or die.When the fleet that lay at Sandwich had intelligence about Godwin's expedition, they set sail after him; but he escaped them, and betook himself wherever he might: and the fleet returned to Sandwich, and so homeward to London.When Godwin understood that the fleet that lay at Sandwich was gone home, then went he back again to the Isle of Wight, and lay thereabout by the sea-coast so long that they came together—he and his son Earl Harold.But they did no great harm after they came together; save that they took meat, and enticed to them all the land-folk by the sea-coast and also upward in the land.And they proceeded toward Sandwich, ever alluring forth with them all the boatmen that they met; and to Sandwich they came with an increasing army.They then steered eastward round to Dover, and landing there, took as many ships and hostages as they chose, and so returned to Sandwich, where they did the same; and men everywhere gave them hostages and provisions, wherever they required them.Then proceeded they to the Nore, and so toward London; but some of the ships landed on the Isle of Shepey, and did much harm there; whence they steered to Milton Regis, and burned it all, and then proceeded toward London after the earls.When they came to London, there lay the king and all his earls to meet them, with fifty ships.The earls (73) then sent to the king, praying that they might be each possessed of those things which had been unjustly taken from them.But the king resisted some while; so long that the people who were with the earl were very much stirred against the king and against his people, so that the earl himself with difficulty appeased them.When King Edward understood that, then sent he upward after more aid; but they came very late.And Godwin stationed himself continually before London with his fleet, till he came to Southwark; where he abode some time, until the flood (74) came up.On this occasion he also contrived with the burgesses that they should do almost all that he would.When he had arranged his whole expedition, then came the flood; and they soon weighed anchor, and steered through the bridge by the south side.The land-force meanwhile came above, and arranged themselves by the Strand; and they formed an angle with the ships against the north side, as if they wished to surround the king's ships.The king had also a great land-force on his side, to add to his shipmen: but they were most of them loth to fight with their own kinsmen—for there was little else of any great importance but Englishmen on either side; and they were also unwilling that this land should be the more exposed to outlandish people, because they destroyed each other.Then it was determined that wise men should be sent between them, who should settle peace on either side.Godwin went up, and Harold his son, and their navy, as many as they then thought proper.Then advanced Bishop Stigand with God's assistance, and the wise men both within the town and without; who determined that hostages should be given on either side.And so they did.When Archbishop Robert and the Frenchmen knew that, they took horse; and went some west to Pentecost Castle, some north to Robert's castle.Archbishop Robert and Bishop Ulf, with their companions, went out at Eastgate, slaying or else maiming many young men, and betook themselves at once to Eadulf's-ness; where he put himself on board a crazy ship, and went at once over sea, leaving his pall and all Christendom here on land, as God ordained, because he had obtained an honour which God disclaimed.Then was proclaimed a general council without London; and all the earls and the best men in the land were at the council.There took up Earl Godwin his burthen, and cleared himself there before his lord King Edward, and before all the nation; proving that he was innocent of the crime laid to his charge, and to his son Harold and all his children.And the king gave the earl and his children, and all the men that were with him, his full friendship, and the full earldom, and all that he possessed before; and he gave the lady all that she had before.Archbishop Robert was fully proclaimed an outlaw, with all the Frenchmen; because they chiefly made the discord between Earl Godwin and the king: and Bishop Stigand succeeded to the archbishopric at Canterbury.At the council therefore they gave Godwin fairly his earldom, so full and so free as he at first possessed it; and his sons also all that they formerly had; and his wife and his daughter so full and so free as they formerly had.And they fastened full friendship between them, and ordained good laws to all people.Then they outlawed all Frenchmen—who before instituted bad laws, and judged unrighteous judgment, and brought bad counsels into this land—except so many as they concluded it was agreeable to the king to have with him, who were true to him and to all his people.It was with difficulty that Bishop Robert, and Bishop William, and Bishop Ulf, escaped with the Frenchmen that were with them, and so went over sea.Earl Godwin, and Harold, and the queen, sat in their stations.Sweyne had before gone to Jerusalem from Bruges, and died on his way home at Constantinople, at Michaelmas.It was on the Monday after the festival of St.Mary, that Godwin came with his ships to Southwark: and on the morning afterwards, on the Tuesday, they were reconciled as it stands here before recorded.Godwin then sickened soon after he came up, and returned back.But he made altogether too little restitution of God's property, which he acquired from many places.At the same time Arnwy, Abbot of Peterborough, resigned his abbacy in full health; and gave it to the monk Leofric, with the king's leave and that of the monks; and the Abbot Arnwy lived afterwards eight winters.The Abbot Leofric gilded the minster, so that it was called Gildenborough; and it then waxed very much in land, and in gold, and in silver.

((A.D.1052.This year died Alfric, Archbishop of York, a very pious man, and wise.And in the same year King Edward abolished the tribute, which King Ethelred had before imposed: that was in the nine-and-thirtieth year after he had begun it.That tax distressed all the English nation during so long a time, as it has been written; that was ever before other taxes which were variously paid, and wherewith the people were manifestly distressed.In the same year Eustace [Earl of Boulougne] landed at Dover: he had King Edward's sister to wife.Then went his men inconsiderately after quarters, and a certain man of the town they slew; and another man of the town their companion; so that there lay seven of his companions.And much harm was there done on either side, by horse and also by weapons, until the people gathered together: and then they fled away until they came to the king at Gloucester; and he gave them protection.When Godwin, the earl, understood that such things should have happened in his earldom, then began he to gather together people over all his earldom, (75) and Sweyn, the earl, his son, over his, and Harold, his other son, over his earldom; and they all drew together in Gloucestershire, at Langtree, a great force and countless, all ready for battle against the king, unless Eustace were given up, and his men placed in their hands, and also the Frenchmen who were in the castle.This was done seven days before the latter mass of St.Mary.Then was King Edward sitting at Gloucester.Then sent he after Leofric the earl [Of Mercia] and north after Siward the earl [Of Northumbria] and begged their forces.And then they came to him; first with a moderate aid, but after they knew how it was there, in the south, then sent they north over all their earldoms, and caused to be ordered out a large force for the help of their lord; and Ralph, also, over his earldom: and then came they all to Gloucester to help the king, though it might be late.Then were they all so united in opinion with the king that they would have sought out Godwin's forces if the king had so willed.Then thought some of them that it would be a great folly that they should join battle; because there was nearly all that was most noble in England in the two armies, and they thought that they should expose the land to our foes, and cause great destruction among ourselves.Then counselled they that hostages should be given mutually; and they appointed a term at London, and thither the people were ordered out over all this north end, in Siward's earldom, and in Leofric's, and also elsewhere; and Godwin, the earl, and his sons were to come there with their defence.Then came they to Southwark, and a great multitude with them, from Wessex; but his band continually diminished the longer he stayed.And they exacted pledges for the king from all the thanes who were under Harold, the earl, his son; and then they outlawed Sweyn, the earl, his other son.Then did it not suit him to come with a defence to meet the king, and to meet the army which was with him.Then went he by night away; and the king on the morrow held a council, and, together with all the army, declared him an outlaw, him and all his sons.And he went south to Thorney, and his wife, and Sweyn his son, and Tosty and his wife, Baldwin's relation of Bruges, and Grith his son.And Harold, the earl, and Leofwine, went to Bristol in the ship which Sweyn, the earl, had before got ready for himself, and provisioned.And the king sent Bishop Aldred [Of Worcester] to London with a force; and they were to overtake him ere he came on ship-board: but they could not or they would not.And he went out from Avonmouth, and met with such heavy weather that he with difficulty got away; and there he sustained much damage.Then went he forth to Ireland when fit weather came.And Godwin, and those who were with him, went from Thorney to Bruges, to Baldwin's land, in one ship, with as much treasure as they might therein best stow for each man.It would have seemed wondrous to every man who was in England if any one before that had said that it should end thus; for he had been erewhile to that degree exalted, as if he ruled the king and all England; and his sons were earls and the king's darlings, and his daughter wedded and united to the king: she was brought to Wherwell, and they delivered her to the abbess.Then, soon, came William, the earl [Of Normandy], from beyond seas with a great band of Frenchmen; and the king received him, and as many of his companions as it pleased him; and let him away again.This same year was given to William, the priest, the bishopric of London, which before had been given to Sparhafoc.))

((A.D.1052.This year died Elfgive, the lady, relict of King Ethelred and of King Canute, on the second before the nones of March.In the same year Griffin, the Welsh king, plundered in Herefordshire, until he came very nigh to Leominster; and they gathered against him, as well the landsmen as the Frenchmen of the castle, and there were slain of the English very many good men, and also of the Frenchmen; that was on the same day, on which, thirteen years before, Eadwine had been slain by his companions.))

((A.D.1052.In this year died Elgive Emma, King Edward's mother and King Hardecanute's.And in this same year, the king decreed, and his council, that ships should proceed to Sandwich; and they set Ralph, the earl, and Odda, the earl [Of Devon], as headmen thereto.Then Godwin, the earl, went out from Bruges with his ships to Ysendyck, and left it one day before Midsummer's-mass eve, so that he came to Ness, which is south of Romney.Then came it to the knowledge of the earls out at Sandwich; and they then went out after the other ships, and a land-force was ordered out against the ships.Then during this, Godwin, the earl, was warned, and then he went to Pevensey; and the weather was very severe, so that the earls could not learn what was become of Godwin, the earl.And then Godwin, the earl, went out again, until he came once more to Bruges; and the other ships returned again to Sandwich.And then it was decreed that the ships should return once more to London, and that other earls and commanders should be appointed to the ships.Then was it delayed so long that the ship-force all departed, and all of them went home.When Godwin, the earl, learned that, then drew he up his sail, and his fleet, and then went west direct to the Isle of Wight, and there landed and ravaged so long there, until the people yielded them so much as they laid on them.And then they went westward until they came to Portland, and there they landed, and did whatsoever harm they were able to do.Then was Harold come out from Ireland with nine ships; and then landed at Porlock, and there much people was gathered against him; but he failed not to procure himself provisions.He proceeded further, and slew there a great number of the people, and took of cattle, and of men, and of property as it suited him.He then went eastward to his father; and then they both went eastward until they came to the Isle of Wight, and there took that which was yet remaining for them.And then they went thence to Pevensey and got away thence as many ships as were there fit for service, and so onwards until he came to Ness, and got all the ships which were in Romney, and in Hythe, and in Folkstone.And then they went east to Dover, and there landed, and there took ships and hostages, as many as they would, and so went to Sandwich and did "hand" the same; and everywhere hostages were given them, and provisions wherever they desired.And then they went to North-mouth, and so toward London; and some of the ships went within Sheppey, and there did much harm, and went their way to King's Milton, and that they all burned, and betook themselves then toward London after the earls.When they came to London, there lay the king and all the earls there against them, with fifty ships.Then the earls sent to the king, and required of him, that they might be held worthy of each of those things which had been unjustly taken from them.Then the king, however, resisted some while; so long as until the people who were with the earl were much stirred against the king and against his people, so that the earl himself with difficulty stilled the people.Then Bishop Stigand interposed with God's help, and the wise men as well within the town as without; and they decreed that hostages should be set forth on either side: and thus was it done.When Archbishop Robert and the Frenchmen learned that, they took their horses and went, some west to Pentecost's castle, some north to Robert's castle.And Archbishop Robert and Bishop Ulf went out at East-gate, and their companions, and slew and otherwise injured many young men, and went their way to direct Eadulf's-ness; and he there put himself in a crazy ship, and went direct over sea, and left his pall and all Christendom here on land, so as God would have it, inasmuch as he had before obtained the dignity so as God would not have it.Then there was a great council proclaimed without London: and all the earls and the chief men who were in this land were at the council.There Godwin bore forth his defence, and justified himself, before King Edward his lord, and before all people of the land, that he was guiltless of that which was laid against him, and against Harold his son, and all his children.And the king gave to the earl and his children his full friendship, and full earldom, and all that he before possessed, and to all the men who were with him.And the king gave to the lady [Editha] all that she before possessed.And they declared Archbishop Robert utterly an outlaw, and all the Frenchmen, because they had made most of the difference between Godwin, the earl, and the king.And Bishop Stigand obtained the Archbishopric of Canterbury.In this same time Arnwy, Abbot of Peterborough, left the abbacy, in sound health, and gave it to Leofric the monk, by leave of the king and of the monks; and Abbot Arnwy lived afterwards eight years.And Abbot Leofric then (enriched) the minster, so that it was called the Golden-borough.Then it waxed greatly, in land, and in gold, and in silver.))

((A.D.1052.And went so to the Isle of Wight, and there took all the ships which could be of any service, and hostages, and betook himself so eastward.And Harold had landed with nine ships at Porlock, and slew there much people, and took cattle, and men, and property, and went his way eastward to his father, and they both went to Romney, to Hythe, to Folkstone, to Dover, to Sandwich, and ever they took all the ships which they found, which could be of any service, and hostages, all as they proceeded; and went then to London.))

A.D.1053.About this time was the great wind, on the mass-night of St.Thomas; which did much harm everywhere.And all the midwinter also was much wind.It was this year resolved to slay Rees, the Welsh king's brother, because he did harm; and they brought his head to Gloucester on the eve of Twelfth-day.In this same year, before Allhallowmas, died Wulfsy, Bishop of Lichfield; and Godwin, Abbot of Winchcomb; and Aylward, Abbot of Glastonbury; all within one month.And Leofwine, Abbot of Coventry, took to the bishopric at Lichfield; Bishop Aldred to the abbacy at Winchcomb; and Aylnoth took to the abbacy at Glastonbury.The same year died Elfric, brother of Odda, at Deerhurst; and his body resteth at Pershore.In this year was the king at Winchester, at Easter; and Earl Godwin with him, and Earl Harold his son, and Tosty.On the day after Easter sat he with the king at table; when he suddenly sunk beneath against the foot-rail, deprived of speech and of all his strength.He was brought into the king's chamber; and they supposed that it would pass over: but it was not so.He continued thus speechless and helpless till the Thursday; when he resigned his life, on the seventeenth before the calends of May; and he was buried at Winchester in the old minster.Earl Harold, his son, took to the earldom that his father had before, and to all that his father possessed; whilst Earl Elgar took to the earldom that Harold had before.The Welshmen this year slew a great many of the warders of the English people at Westbury.This year there was no archbishop in this land: but Bishop Stigand held the see of Canterbury at Christ church, and Kinsey that of York.Leofwine and Wulfwy went over sea, and had themselves consecrated bishops there.Wulfwy took to the bishopric which Ulf had whilst he was living and in exile.

((A.D.1053.This year was the great wind on Thomas's-mass-night, and also the whole midwinter there was much wind; and it was decreed that Rees, the Welsh king's brother, should be slain, because he had done harm; and his head was brought to Gloucester on Twelfth-day eve.And the same year, before All Hallows-mass, died Wulfsy, Bishop of Lichfield, and Godwin, Abbot of Winchcomb, and Egelward, Abbot of Clastonbury, all within one month, and Leofwine succeeded to the Bishopric of Lichfield, and Bishop Aidred [Of Worcester] took the abbacy at Winchcomb, and Egelnoth succeeded to the abbacy at Glastonbury.And the same year died Elfric, Odda's brother at Deorhurst; and his body resteth at Pershore.And the same year died Godwin the earl; and he fell ill as he sat with the king at Winchester.And Harold his son succeeded to the earldom which his father before held; and Elgar, the earl, succeeded to the earldom which Harold before held.))

((A.D.1053.In this year died Godwin, the earl, on the seventeenth before the kalends of May, and he is buried at Winchester, in the Old-minster; and Harold, the earl, his son, succeeded to the earldom, and to all that which his father had held: and Elgar, the earl, succeeded to the earldom which Harold before held.))

A.D.1054.This year died Leo the holy pope, at Rome: and Victor was chosen pope in his stead.And in this year was so great loss of cattle as was not remembered for many winters before.This year went Earl Siward with a large army against Scotland, consisting both of marines and landforces; and engaging with the Scots, he put to flight the King Macbeth; slew all the best in the land; and led thence much spoil, such as no man before obtained.Many fell also on his side, both Danish and English; even his own son, Osborn, and his sister's son, Sihward: and many of his house-carls, and also of the king's, were there slain that day, which was that of the Seven Sleepers.This same year went Bishop Aldred south over sea into Saxony, to Cologne, on the king's errand; where he was entertained with great respect by the emperor, abode there well-nigh a year, and received presents not only from the court, but from the Bishop of Cologne and the emperor.He commissioned Bishop Leofwine to consecrate the minster at Evesham; and it was consecrated in the same year, on the sixth before the ides of October.This year also died Osgod Clapa suddenly in his bed, as he lay at rest.

((A.D.1054.This year went Siward the earl with a great army into Scotland, both with a ship-force and with a landforce, and fought against the Scots, and put to flight King Macbeth, and slew all who were the chief men in the land, and led thence much booty, such as no man before had obtained.But his son Osborn, and his sister's son Siward, and some of his house-carls, and also of the king's, were there slain, on the day of the Seven Sleepers.The same year went Bishop Aldred to Cologne, over sea, on the king's errand; and he was there received with much worship by the emperor [Henry III], and there he dwelt well nigh a year; and either gave him entertainment, both the Bishop of Cologne and the emperor.And he gave leave to Bishop Leofwine [Of Lichfield] to consecrate the minster at Evesham on the sixth before the ides of October.In this year died Osgod suddenly in his bed.And this year died St.Leo the pope; and Victor was chosen pope in his stead.))

A.D.1055.This year died Earl Siward at York; and his body lies within the minster at Galmanho, (76) which he had himself ordered to be built and consecrated, in the name of God and St.Olave, to the honour of God and to all his saints.Archbishop Kinsey fetched his pall from Pope Victor.Then, within a little time after, a general council was summoned in London, seven nights before mid-Lent; at which Earl Elgar, son of Earl Leofric, was outlawed almost without any guilt; because it was said against him that he was the betrayer of the king and of all the people of the land.And he was arraigned thereof before all that were there assembled, though the crime laid to his charge was unintentional.The king, however, gave the earldom, which Earl Siward formerly had, to Tosty, son of Earl Godwin.Whereupon Earl Elgar sought Griffin's territory in North-Wales; whence he went to Ireland, and there gave him a fleet of eighteen ships, besides his own; and then returned to Wales to King Griffin with the armament, who received him on terms of amity.And they gathered a great force with the Irishmen and the Welsh: and Earl Ralph collected a great army against them at the town of Hereford; where they met; but ere there was a spear thrown the English people fled, because they were on horses.The enemy then made a great slaughter there—about four hundred or five hundred men; they on the other side none.They went then to the town, and burned it utterly; and the large minster (77) also which the worthy Bishop Athelstan had caused to be built, that they plundered and bereft of relic and of reef, and of all things whatever; and the people they slew, and led some away.Then an army from all parts of England was gathered very nigh; (78) and they came to Gloucester: whence they sallied not far out against the Welsh, and there lay some time.And Earl Harold caused the dike to be dug about the town the while.Meantime men began to speak of peace; and Earl Harold and those who were with him came to Bilsley, where amity and friendship were established between them.The sentence of outlawry against Earl Elgar was reversed; and they gave him all that was taken from him before.The fleet returned to Chester, and there awaited their pay, which Elgar promised them.The slaughter was on the ninth before the calends of November.In the same year died Tremerig, the Welsh bishop, soon after the plundering; who was Bishop Athelstan's substitute, after he became infirm.

((A.D.1055.In this year died Siward the earl at York, and he lies at Galmanho, in the minster which himself caused to be built, and consecrated in God's and Olave's name.And Tosty succeeded to the earldom which he had held.And Archbishop Kynsey [Of York], fetched his pall from Pope Victor.And soon thereafter was outlawed Elgar the earl, son of Leofric the earl, well-nigh without guilt.But he went to Ireland and to Wales, and procured himself there a great force, and so went to Hereford: but there came against him Ralph the earl, with a large army, and with a slight conflict he put them to flight, and much people slew in the flight: and they went then into Hereford-port, and that they ravaged, and burned the great minster which Bishop Athelstan had built, and slew the priests within the minster, and many in addition thereto, and took all the treasures therein, and carried them away with them.And when they had done the utmost evil, this counsel was counselled: that Elgar the earl should be inlawed, and be given his earldom, and all that had been taken from him.This ravaging happened on the 9th before the Kalends of November.In the same year died Tremerin the Welsh bishop [Of St.David's] soon after that ravaging: and he was Bishop Athelstan's coadjutor from the time that he had become infirm.))

((A.D.1055.In this year died Siward the earl: and then was summoned a general council, seven days before Mid-lent; and they outlawed Elgar the earl, because it was cast upon him that he was a traitor to the king and to all the people of the land.And he made a confession of it before all the men who were there gathered; though the word escaped him unintentionally.And the king gave the earldom to Tosty, son of Earl Godwin, which Siward the earl before held.And Elgar the earl sought Griffin's protection in North-Wales.And in this year Griffin and Elgar burned St.Ethelbert's minster, and all the town of Hereford.))

A.D.1056.This year Bishop Egelric resigned his bishopric at Durham, and retired to Peterborough minster; and his brother Egelwine succeeded him.The worthy Bishop Athelstan died on the fourth before the ides of February; and his body lies at Hereford.To him succeeded Leofgar, who was Earl Harold's mass-priest.He wore his knapsack in his priesthood, until he was a bishop.He abandoned his chrism and his rood—his ghostly weapons—and took to his spear and to his sword, after his bishophood; and so marched to the field against Griffin the Welsh king.(79) But he was there slain, and his priests with him, and Elnoth the sheriff, and many other good men with them; and the rest fled.This was eight nights before midsummer.Difficult is it to relate all the vexation and the journeying, the marching and the fatigue, the fall of men, and of horses also, which the whole army of the English suffered, until Earl Leofric, and Earl Harold, and Bishop Eldred, came together and made peace between them; so that Griffin swore oaths, that he would be a firm and faithful viceroy to King Edward.Then Bishop Eldred took to the bishopric which Leofgar had before eleven weeks and four days.The same year died Cona the emperor; and Earl Odda, whose body lies at Pershore, and who was admitted a monk before his end; which was on the second before the calends of September; a good man and virtuous and truly noble.

A.D.1057.This year came Edward Etheling, son of King Edmund, to this land, and soon after died.His body is buried within St.Paul's minster at London.He was brother's son to King Edward.King Edmund was called Ironside for his valour.This etheling King Knute had sent into Hungary, to betray him; but he there grew in favour with good men, as God granted him, and it well became him; so that he obtained the emperor's cousin in marriage, and by her had a fair offspring.Her name was Agatha.We know not for what reason it was done, that he should see his relation, King Edward.Alas!that was a rueful time, and injurious to all this nation—that he ended his life so soon after he came to England, to the misfortune of this miserable people.The same year died Earl Leofric, on the second before the calends of October; who was very wise before God, and also before the world; and who benefited all this nation.(80) He lies at Coventry (81): and his son Elgar took to his territory.This year died Earl Ralph, on the twelfth before the calends of January; and lies at Peterborough.Also died Bishop Heca, in Sussex; and Egelric was elevated to his see.This year also died Pope Victor; and Stephen was chosen pope, who was Abbot of Monut Cassino.

((A.D.1057.In this year Edward Etheling, King Edmund's son, came hither to land, and soon after died, and his body is buried within St.Paul's minster at London.And Pope Victor died, and Stephen [IX.]was chosen pope: he was Abbot of Mont-Cassino.And Leofric the earl died, and Elgar his son succeeded to the earldom which the father before held.))

A.D.1058.This year was Earl Elgar banished: but he soon came in again by force, through Griffin's assistance: and a naval armament came from Norway.It is tedious to tell how it all fell out.In this same year Bishop Aldred consecrated the minster church at Gloucester, which he himself had raised (82) to the honour of God and St.Peter; and then went to Jerusalem (83) with such dignity as no other man did before him, and betook himself there to God.A worthy gift he also offered to our Lord's sepulchre; which was a golden chalice of the value of five marks, of very wonderful workmanship.In the same year died Pope Stephen; and Benedict was appointed pope.He sent hither the pall to Bishop Stigand; who as archbishop consecrated Egelric a monk at Christ church, Bishop of Sussex; and Abbot Siward Bishop of Rochester.

((A.D.1058.This year died Pope Stephen, and Benedict was
consecrated pope: the same sent hither to land a pall to
Archbishop Stigand. And in this year died Heca, Bishop of
Sussex; and Archbishop Stigand ordained Algeric, a monk at
Christchurch, Bishop of Sussex, and Abbot Siward Bishop of
Rochester.) )

A.D.1059.This year was Nicholas chosen pope, who had been
Bishop of Florence; and Benedict was expelled, who was pope
before. This year also was consecrated the steeple (84) at
Peterborough, on the sixteenth before the calends of November.

A.D.1060.This year was a great earthquake on the Translation of St.Martin, and King Henry died in France.Kinsey, Archbishop of York, died on the eleventh before the calends of January; and he lies at Peterborough.Bishop Aldred succeeded to the see, and Walter to that of Herefordshire.Dudoc also died, who was Bishop of Somersetshire; and Gisa the priest was appointed in his stead.

A.D.1061.This year went Bishop Aldred to Rome after his pall; which he received at the hands of Pope Nicholas.Earl Tosty and his wife also went to Rome; and the bishop and the earl met with great difficulty as they returned home.In the same year died Bishop Godwin at St.Martin's, (85) on the seventh before the ides of March; and in the self-same year died Wulfric, Abbot of St.Augustine's, in the Easterweek, on the fourteenth before the calends of May.Pope Nicholas also died; and Alexander was chosen pope, who was Bishop of Lucca.When word came to the king that the Abbot Wulfric was dead, then chose he Ethelsy, a monk of the old minster, to succeed; who followed Archbishop Stigand, and was consecrated abbot at Windsor on St.Augustine's mass-day.

((A.D.1061.In this year died Dudoc, Bishop of Somerset, and Giso succeeded.And in the same year died Godwin, Bishop of St.Martin's, on the seventh before the ides of March.And in the self-same year died Wulfric, Abbot of St.Augustine's, within the Easter week, on the fourteenth before the kalends of May.When word came to the king that Abbot Wulfric was departed, then chose he Ethelsy the monk thereto, from the Old-Minster, who then followed Archbishop Stigand, and was consecrated abbot at Windsor, on St.Augustine's mass-day.))

A.D.1063.This year went Earl Harold, after mid-winter, from Gloucester to Rhyddlan; which belonged to Griffin: and that habitation he burned, with his ships and all the rigging belonging thereto; and put him to flight.Then in the gang-days went Harold with his ships from Bristol about Wales; where he made a truce with the people, and they gave him hostages.Tosty meanwhile advanced with a land-force against them, and plundered the land.But in the harvest of the same year was King Griffin slain, on the nones of August, by his own men, through the war that he waged with Earl Harold.He was king over all the Welsh nation.And his head was brought to Earl Harold; who sent it to the king, with his ship's head, and the rigging therewith.King Edward committed the land to his two brothers, Blethgent and Rigwatle; who swore oaths, and gave hostages to the king and to the earl, that they would be faithful to him in all things, ready to aid him everywhere by water and land, and would pay him such tribute from the land as was paid long before to other kings.

((A.D.1063.This year went Harold the earl, and his brother Tosty the earl, as well with a land-force as a shipforce, into Wales, and they subdued the land; and the people delivered hostages to them, and submitted; and went afterwards and slew their King Griffin, and brought to Harold his head: and he appointed another king thereto.))

A.D.1065.This year, before Lammas, ordered Earl Harold his men to build at Portskeweth in Wales.But when he had begun, and collected many materials, and thought to have King Edward there for the purpose of hunting, even when it was all ready, came Caradoc, son of Griffin, with all the gang that he could get, and slew almost all that were building there; and they seized the materials that were there got ready.Wist we not who first advised the wicked deed.This was done on the mass-day of St.Bartholomew.Soon after this all the thanes in Yorkshire and in Northumberland gathered themselves together at York, and outlawed their Earl Tosty; slaying all the men of his clan that they could reach, both Danish and English; and took all his weapons in York, with gold and silver, and all his money that they could anywhere there find.They then sent after Morkar, son of Earl Elgar, and chose him for their earl.He went south with all the shire, and with Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and Lincolnshire, till he came to Northampton; where his brother Edwin came to meet him with the men that were in his earldom.Many Britons also came with him.Harold also there met them; on whom they imposed an errand to King Edward, sending also messengers with him, and requesting that they might have Morcar for their earl.This the king granted; and sent back Harold to them, to Northampton, on the eve of St.Simon and St.Jude; and announced to them the same, and confirmed it by hand, and renewed there the laws of Knute.But the Northern men did much harm about Northampton, whilst he went on their errand: either that they slew men, and burned houses and corn; or took all the cattle that they could come at; which amounted to many thousands.Many hundred men also they took, and led northward with them; so that not only that shire, but others near it were the worse for many winters.Then Earl Tosty and his wife, and all they who acted with him, went south over sea with him to Earl Baldwin; who received them all: and they were there all the winter.About midwinter King Edward came to Westminster, and had the minster there consecrated, which he had himself built to the honour of God, and St.Peter, and all God's saints.This church-hallowing was on Childermas-day.He died on the eve of twelfth-day; and he was buried on twelfth-day in the same minster; as it is hereafter said.Here Edward king, (86) of Angles lord, sent his stedfast soul to Christ.In the kingdom of God a holy spirit!He in the world here abode awhile, in the kingly throng of council sage.Four and twenty winters wielding the sceptre freely, wealth he dispensed.In the tide of health, the youthful monarch, offspring of Ethelred!ruled well his subjects; the Welsh and the Scots, and the Britons also, Angles and Saxons relations of old.So apprehend the first in rank, that to Edward all the noble king were firmly held high-seated men.Blithe-minded aye was the harmless king; though he long ere, of land bereft, abode in exile wide on the earth; when Knute o'ercame the kin of Ethelred, and the Danes wielded the dear kingdom of Engle-land.Eight and twenty winters' rounds they wealth dispensed.Then came forth free in his chambers, in royal array, good, pure, and mild, Edward the noble; by his country defended— by land and people.Until suddenly came the bitter Death and this king so dear snatched from the earth.Angels carried his soul sincere into the light of heaven.But the prudent king had settled the realm on high-born men— on Harold himself, the noble earl; who in every season faithfully heard and obeyed his lord, in word and deed; nor gave to any what might be wanted by the nation's king.This year also was Earl Harold hallowed to king; but he enjoyed little tranquillity therein the while that he wielded the kingdom.

((A.D.1065.And the man-slaying was on St.Bartholomew's mass-day.And then, after Michael's-mass, all the thanes in Yorkshire went to York, and there slew all Earl Tosty's household servants whom they might hear of, and took his treasures: and Tosty was then at Britford with the king.And then, very soon thereafter, was a great council at Northampton; and then at Oxford on the day of Simon and Jude.And there was Harold the earl, and would work their reconciliation if he might, but he could not: but all his earldom him unanimously forsook and outlawed, and all who with him lawlessness upheld, because he robbed God first, and all those bereaved over whom he had power of life and of land.And they then took to themselves Morkar for earl; and Tosty went then over sea, and his wife with him, to Baldwin's land, and they took up their winter residence at St.Omer's.))

A.D.1066.This year came King Harold from York to Westminster, on the Easter succeeding the midwinter when the king (Edward) died.Easter was then on the sixteenth day before the calends of May.Then was over all England such a token seen as no man ever saw before.Some men said that it was the comet-star, which others denominate the long-hair'd star.It appeared first on the eve called "Litania major", that is, on the eighth before the calends off May; and so shone all the week.Soon after this came in Earl Tosty from beyond sea into the Isle of Wight, with as large a fleet as he could get; and he was there supplied with money and provisions.Thence he proceeded, and committed outrages everywhere by the sea-coast where he could land, until he came to Sandwich.When it was told King Harold, who was in London, that his brother Tosty was come to Sandwich, he gathered so large a force, naval and military, as no king before collected in this land; for it was credibly reported that Earl William from Normandy, King Edward's cousin, would come hither and gain this land; just as it afterwards happened.When Tosty understood that King Harold was on the way to Sandwich, he departed thence, and took some of the boatmen with him, willing and unwilling, and went north into the Humber with sixty skips; whence he plundered in Lindsey, and there slew many good men.When the Earls Edwin and Morkar understood that, they came hither, and drove him from the land.And the boatmen forsook him.Then he went to Scotland with twelve smacks; and the king of the Scots entertained him, and aided him with provisions; and he abode there all the summer.There met him Harold, King of Norway, with three hundred ships.And Tosty submitted to him, and became his man.(87) Then came King Harold (88) to Sandwich, where he awaited his fleet; for it was long ere it could be collected: but when it was assembled, he went into the Isle of Wight, and there lay all the summer and the autumn.There was also a land-force every where by the sea, though it availed nought in the end.It was now the nativity of St.Mary, when the provisioning of the men began; and no man could keep them there any longer.They therefore had leave to go home: and the king rode up, and the ships were driven to London; but many perished ere they came thither.When the ships were come home, then came Harald, King of Norway, north into the Tine, unawares, with a very great sea-force—no small one; that might be, with three hundred ships or more; and Earl Tosty came to him with all those that he had got; just as they had before said: and they both then went up with all the fleet along the Ouse toward York.(89) When it was told King Harold in the south, after he had come from the ships, that Harald, King of Norway, and Earl Tosty were come up near York, then went he northward by day and night, as soon as he could collect his army.But, ere King Harold could come thither, the Earls Edwin and Morkar had gathered from their earldoms as great a force as they could get, and fought with the enemy.(90) They made a great slaughter too; but there was a good number of the English people slain, and drowned, and put to flight: and the Northmen had possession of the field of battle.It was then told Harold, king of the English, that this had thus happened.And this fight was on the eve of St.Matthew the apostle, which was Wednesday.Then after the fight went Harold, King of Norway, and Earl Tosty into York with as many followers as they thought fit; and having procured hostages and provisions from the city, they proceeded to their ships, and proclaimed full friendship, on condition that all would go southward with them, and gain this land.In the midst of this came Harold, king of the English, with all his army, on the Sunday, to Tadcaster; where he collected his fleet.Thence he proceeded on Monday throughout York.But Harald, King of Norway, and Earl Tosty, with their forces, were gone from their ships beyond York to Stanfordbridge; for that it was given them to understand, that hostages would be brought to them there from all the shire.Thither came Harold, king of the English, unawares against them beyond the bridge; and they closed together there, and continued long in the day fighting very severely.There was slain Harald the Fair-hair'd, King of Norway, and Earl Tosty, and a multitude of people with them, both of Normans and English; (91) and the Normans that were left fled from the English, who slew them hotly behind; until some came to their ships, some were drowned, some burned to death, and thus variously destroyed; so that there was little left: and the English gained possession of the field.But there was one of the Norwegians who withstood the English folk, so that they could not pass over the bridge, nor complete the victory.An Englishman aimed at him with a javelin, but it availed nothing.Then came another under the bridge, who pierced him terribly inwards under the coat of mail.And Harold, king of the English, then came over the bridge, followed by his army; and there they made a great slaughter, both of the Norwegians and of the Flemings.But Harold let the king's son, Edmund, go home to Norway with all the ships.He also gave quarter to Olave, the Norwegian king's son, and to their bishop, and to the earl of the Orkneys, and to all those that were left in the ships; who then went up to our king, and took oaths that they would ever maintain faith and friendship unto this land.Whereupon the King let them go home with twenty-four ships.These two general battles were fought within five nights.Meantime Earl William came up from Normandy into Pevensey on the eve of St.Michael's mass; and soon after his landing was effected, they constructed a castle at the port of Hastings.This was then told to King Harold; and he gathered a large force, and came to meet him at the estuary of Appledore.William, however, came against him unawares, ere his army was collected; but the king, nevertheless, very hardly encountered him with the men that would support him: and there was a great slaughter made on either side.There was slain King Harold, and Leofwin his brother, and Earl Girth his brother, with many good men: and the Frenchmen gained the field of battle, as God granted them for the sins of the nation.Archbishop Aldred and the corporation of London were then desirous of having child Edgar to king, as he was quite natural to them; and Edwin and Morkar promised them that they would fight with them.But the more prompt the business should ever be, so was it from day to day the later and worse; as in the end it all fared.This battle was fought on the day of Pope Calixtus: and Earl William returned to Hastings, and waited there to know whether the people would submit to him.But when he found that they would not come to him, he went up with all his force that was left and that came since to him from over sea, and ravaged all the country that he overran, until he came to Berkhampstead; where Archbishop Aldred came to meet him, with child Edgar, and Earls Edwin and Morkar, and all the best men from London; who submitted then for need, when the most harm was done.It was very ill-advised that they did not so before, seeing that God would not better things for our sins.And they gave him hostages and took oaths: and he promised them that he would be a faithful lord to them; though in the midst of this they plundered wherever they went.Then on midwinter's day Archbishop Aldred hallowed him to king at Westminster, and gave him possession with the books of Christ, and also swore him, ere that he would set the crown on his head, that he would so well govern this nation as any before him best did, if they would be faithful to him.Neverrhetess he laid very heavy tribute on men, and in Lent went over sea to Normandy, taking with him Archbishop Stigand, and Abbot Aylnoth of Glastonbury, and the child Edgar, and the Earls Edwin, Morkar, and Waltheof, and many other good men of England.Bishop Odo and Earl William lived here afterwards, and wrought castles widely through this country, and harassed the miserable people; and ever since has evil increased very much.May the end be good, when God will!In that same expedition (92) was Leofric, Abbot of Peterborough; who sickened there, and came home, and died soon after, on the night of Allhallow-mass.God honour his soul!In his day was all bliss and all good at Peterborough.He was beloved by all; so that the king gave to St.Peter and him the abbey at Burton, and that at Coventry, which the Earl Leofric, who was his uncle, had formerly made; with that of Croyland, and that of Thorney.He did so much good to the minster of Peterborough, in gold, and in silver, and in shroud, and in land, as no other ever did before him, nor any one after him.But now was Gilden-borough become a wretched borough.The monks then chose for abbot Provost Brand, because he was a very good man, and very wise; and sent him to Edgar Etheling, for that the land-folk supposed that he should be king: and the etheling received him gladly.When King William heard say that, he was very wroth, and said that the abbot had renounced him: but good men went between them, and reconciled them; because the abbot was a good man.He gave the king forty marks of gold for his reconciliation; and he lived but a little while after—only three years.Afterwards came all wretchedness and all evil to the minster.God have mercy on it!

((A.D.1066.This year died King Edward, and Harold the earl succeeded to the kingdom, and held it forty weeks and one day.And this year came William, and won England.And in this year Christ-Church [Canterbury] was burned.And this year appeared a comet on the fourteenth before the kalends of May.))

((A.D.1066. …And then he [Tosty] went thence, and did harm everywhere by the sea-coast where he could land, as far as Sandwich.Then was it made known to King Harold, who was in London, that Tosty his brother was come to Sandwich.Then gathered he so great a ship-force, and also a land force, as no king here in the land had before gathered, because it had been soothly said unto him, that William the earl from Normandy, King Edward's kinsman, would come hither and subdue this land: all as it afterwards happened.When Tosty learned that King Harold was on his way to Sandwich, then went he from Sandwich, and took some of the boatmen with him, some willingly and some unwillingly; and went then north into Humber, and there ravaged in Lindsey, and there slew many good men.When Edwin the earl and Morcar the earl understood that, then came they thither, and drove him out of the land.And he went then to Scotland: and the king of Scots protected him, and assisted him with provisions; and he there abode all the summer.Then came King Harold to Sandwich, and there awaited his fleet, because it was long before it could be gathered together.And when his fleet was gathered together, then went he into the Isle of Wight, and there lay all the summer and the harvest; and a land-force was kept everywhere by the sea, though in the end it was of no benefit.When it was the Nativity of St.Mary, then were the men's provisions gone, and no man could any longer keep them there.Then were the men allowed to go home, and the king rode up, and the ships were dispatched to London; and many perished before they came thither.When the ships had reached home, then came King Harald from Norway, north into Tyne, and unawares, with a very large ship-force, and no small one; that might be, or more.And Tosty the earl came to him with all that he had gotten, all as they had before agreed; and then they went both, with all the fleet, along the Ouse, up towards York.Then was it made known to King Harold in the south, as he was come from on ship-board, that Harald King of Norway and Tosty the earl were landed near York.Then went he northward, day and night, as quickly as he could gather his forces.Then, before that King Harold could come thither, then gathered Edwin the earl and Morcar the earl from their earldom as great a force as they could get together; and they fought against the army, and made great slaughter: and there was much of the English people slain, and drowned, and driven away in flight; and the Northmen had possession of the place of carnage.And this fight was on the vigil of St.Matthew the apostle, and it was Wednesday.And then, after the fight, went Harald, King of Norway, and Tosty the earl, into York, with as much people as seemed meet to them.And they delivered hostages to them from the city, and also assisted them with provisions; and so they went thence to their ships, and they agreed upon a full peace, so that they should all go with him south, and this land subdue.Then, during this, came Harold, king of the Angles, with all his forces, on the Sunday, to Tadcaster, and there drew up his force, and went then on Monday throughout York; and Harald, King of Norway, and Tosty the earl, and their forces, were gone from their ships beyond York to Stanfordbridge, because it had been promised them for a certainty, that there, from all the shire, hostages should be brought to meet them.Then came Harold, king of the English, against them, unawares, beyond the bridge, and they there joined battle, and very strenuously, for a long time of the day, continued fighting: and there was Harald, King of Norway, and Tosty the earl slain, and numberless of the people with them, as well of the Northmen as of the English: and the Northmen fled from the English.Then was there one of the Norwegians who withstood the English people, so that they might not pass over the bridge, nor obtain the victory.Then an Englishman aimed at him with a javelin, but availed nothing; and then came another under the bridge, and pierced him terribly inwards under the coat of mail.Then came Harold, king of the English, over the bridge, and his forces onward with him, and there made great slaughter, as well of Norwegians as of Flemings.And the King's son, Edmund, Harold let go home to Norway, with all the ships.))

((A.D.1066.In this year was consecrated the minster at Westminster, on Childer-mass-day.And King Edward died on the eve of Twelfth-day; and he was buried on Twelfth-day within the newly consecrated church at Westminster.And Harold the earl succeeded to the kingdom of England, even as the king had granted it to him, and men also had chosen him thereto; and he was crowned as king on Twelfth-day.And that same year that he became king, he went out with a fleet against William [Earl of Normandy]; and the while, came Tosty the earl into Humber with sixty ships.Edwin the earl came with a land-force and drove him out; and the boatmen forsook him.And he went to Scotland with twelve vessels; and Harald, the King of Norway, met him with three hundred ships, and Tosty submitted to him; and they both went into Humber, until they came to York.And Morcar the earl, and Edwin the earl, fought against them; and the king of the Norwegians had the victory.And it was made known to King Harold how it there was done, and had happened; and he came there with a great army of English men, and met him at Stanfordbridge, and slew him and the earl Tosty, and boldly overcame all the army.And the while, William the earl landed at Hastings, on St.Michael's-day: and Harold came from the north, and fought against him before all his army had come up: and there he fell, and his two brothers, Girth and Leofwin; and William subdued this land.And he came to Westminster, and Archbishop Aldred consecrated him king, and men paid him tribute, delivered him hostages, and afterwards bought their land.And then was Leofric, Abbot of Peterborough, in that same expedition; and there he sickened, and came home, and was dead soon thereafter, on All-hallows-mass-night; God be merciful to his soul!In his day was all bliss and all good in Peterborough; and he was dear to all people, so that the king gave to St.Peter and to him the abbacy at Burton, and that of Coventry, which Leofric the earl, who was his uncle, before had made, and that of Crowland, and that of Thorney.And he conferred so much of good upon the minster of Peterborough, in gold, and in silver, and in vestments, and in land, as never any other did before him, nor any after him.After, Golden-borough became a wretched borough.Then chose the monks for abbot Brand the provost, by reason that he was a very good man, and very wise, and sent him then to Edgar the etheling, by reason that the people of the land supposed that he should become king: and the etheling granted it him then gladly.When King William heard say that, then was he very wroth, and said that the abbot had despised him.Then went good men between them, and reconciled them, by reason that the abbot was a good man.Then gave he the king forty marks of gold for a reconciliation; and then thereafter, lived he a little while, but three years.After that came every tribulation and every evil to the minster.God have mercy on it!))

A.D.1067.This year came the king back again to England on St.Nicholas's day; and the same day was burned the church of Christ at Canterbury.Bishop Wulfwy also died, and is buried at his see in Dorchester.The child Edric and the Britons were unsettled this year, and fought with the castlemen at Hereford, and did them much harm.The king this year imposed a heavy guild on the wretched people; but, notwithstanding, let his men always plunder all the country that they went over; and then he marched to Devonshire, and beset the city of Exeter eighteen days.There were many of his army slain; out he had promised them well, and performed ill; and the citizens surrendered the city because the thanes had betrayed them.This summer the child Edgar departed, with his mother Agatha, and his two sisters, Margaret and Christina, and Merle-Sweyne, and many good men with them; and came to Scotland under the protection of King Malcolm, who entertained them all.Then began King Malcolm to yearn after the child's sister, Margaret, to wife; but he and all his men long refused; and she also herself was averse, and said that she would neither have him nor any one else, if the Supreme Power would grant, that she in her maidenhood might please the mighty Lord with a carnal heart, in this short life, in pure continence.The king, however, earnestly urged her brother, until he answered Yea.And indeed he durst not otherwise; for they were come into his kingdom.So that then it was fulfilled, as God had long ere foreshowed; and else it could not be; as he himself saith in his gospel: that "not even a sparrow on the ground may fall, without his foreshowing."The prescient Creator wist long before what he of her would have done; for that she should increase the glory of God in this land, lead the king aright from the path of error, bend him and his people together to a better way, and suppress the bad customs which the nation formerly followed: all which she afterwards did.The king therefore received her, though it was against her will, and was pleased with her manners, and thanked God, who in his might had given him such a match.He wisely bethought himself, as he was a prudent man, and turned himself to God, and renounced all impurity; accordingly, as the apostle Paul, the teacher of all the gentries, saith: "Salvabitur vir infidelis per mulierem fidelem; sic et mulier infidelis per virum fidelem," etc.: that is in our language, "Full oft the unbelieving husband is sanctified and healed through the believing wife, and so belike the wife through the believing husband."This queen aforesaid performed afterwards many useful deeds in this land to the glory of God, and also in her royal estate she well conducted herself, as her nature was.Of a faithful and noble kin was she sprung.Her father was Edward Etheling, son of King Edmund.Edmund was the son of Ethelred; Ethelred the son of Edgar; Edgar the son of Edred; and so forth in that royal line: and her maternal kindred goeth to the Emperor Henry, who had the sovereignty over Rome.This year went out Githa, Harold's mother, and the wives of many good men with her, to the Flat-Holm, and there abode some time; and so departed thence over sea to St.Omer's.This Easter came the king to Winchester; and Easter was then on the tenth before the calends of April.Soon after this came the Lady Matilda hither to this land; and Archbishop Eldred hallowed her to queen at Westminster on Whit Sunday.Then it was told the king, that the people in the North had gathered themselves together, and would stand against him if he came.Whereupon he went to Nottingham, and wrought there a castle; and so advanced to York, and there wrought two castles; and the same at Lincoln, and everywhere in that quarter.Then Earl Gospatric and the best men went into Scotland.Amidst this came one of Harold's sons from Ireland with a naval force into the mouth of the Avon unawares, and plundered soon over all that quarter; whence they went to Bristol, and would have stormed the town; but the people bravely withstood them.When they could gain nothing from the town, they went to their ships with the booty which they had acquired by plunder; and then they advanced upon Somersetshire, and there went up; and Ednoth, master of the horse, fought with them; but he was there slain, and many good men on either side; and those that were left departed thence.

A.D.1068.This year King William gave Earl Robert the earldom over Northumberland; but the landsmen attacked him in the town of Durham, and slew him, and nine hundred men with him.Soon afterwards Edgar Etheling came with all the Northumbrians to York; and the townsmen made a treaty with him: but King William came from the South unawares on them with a large army, and put them to flight, and slew on the spot those who could not escape; which were many hundred men; and plundered the town.St.Peter's minster he made a profanation, and all other places also he despoiled and trampled upon; and the etheling went back again to Scotland.After this came Harold's sons from Ireland, about midsummer, with sixty-four ships into the mouth of the Taft, where they unwarily landed: and Earl Breon came unawares against them with a large army, and fought with them, and slew there all the best men that were in the fleet; and the others, being small forces, escaped to the ships: and Harold's sons went back to Ireland again.

A.D.1069.This year died Aldred, Archbishop of York; and he is there buried, at his see.He died on the day of Protus and Hyacinthus, having held the see with much dignity ten years wanting only fifteen weeks.Soon after this came from Denmark three of the sons of King Sweyne with two hundred and forty ships, together with Earl Esborn and Earl Thurkill, into the Humber; where they were met by the child Edgar, and Earl Waltheof, and Merle-Sweyne, and Earl Gospatric with the Northumbrians, and all the landsmen; riding and marching full merrily with an immense army: and so all unanimously advanced to York; where they stormed and demolished the castle, and won innumerable treasures therein; slew there many hundreds of Frenchmen, and led many with them to the ships; but, ere that the shipmen came thither, the Frenchmen had burned the city, and also the holy minster of St.Peter had they entirely plundered, and destroyed with fire.When the king heard this, then went he northward with all the force that he could collect, despoiling and laying waste the shire withal; whilst the fleet lay all the winter in the Humber, where the king could not come at them.The king was in York on Christmas Day, and so all the winter on land, and came to Winchester at Easter.Bishop Egelric, who was at Peterborough, was this year betrayed, and led to Westminster; and his brother Egelwine was outlawed.This year also died Brand, Abbot of Peterborough, on the fifth before the calends of December.

A.D.1070.This year Landfranc, who was Abbot of Caen, came to England; and after a few days he became Archbishop of Canterbury.He was invested on the fourth before the calends of September in his own see by eight bishops, his suffragans.The others, who were not there, by messengers and by letter declared why they could not be there.The same year Thomas, who was chosen Bishop of York, came to Canterbury, to be invested there after the ancient custom.But when Landfranc craved confirmation of his obedience with an oath, he refused; and said, that he ought not to do it.Whereupon Archbishop Landfranc was wroth, and bade the bishops, who were come thither by Archbishop Landfranc's command to do the service, and all the monks to unrobe themselves.And they by his order so did.Thomas, therefore, for the time, departed without consecration.Soon after this, it happened that the Archbishop Landfranc went to Rome, and Thomas with him.When they came thither, and had spoken about other things concerning which they wished to speak, then began Thomas his speech: how he came to Canterbury, and how the archbishop required obedience of him with an oath; but he declined it.Then began the Archbishop Landfranc to show with clear distinction, that what he craved he craved by right; and with strong arguments he confirmed the same before the Pope Alexander, and before all the council that was collected there; and so they went home.After this came Thomas to Canterbury; and all that the archbishop required of him he humbly fulfilled, and afterwards received consecration.This year Earl Waltheof agreed with the king; but in the Lent of the same year the king ordered all the monasteries in England to be plundered.In the same year came King Sweyne from Denmark into the Humber; and the landsmen came to meet him, and made a treaty with him; thinking that he would overrun the land.Then came into Ely Christien, the Danish bishop, and Earl Osbern, and the Danish domestics with them; and the English people from all the fen-lands came to them; supposing that they should win all that land.Then the monks of Peterborough heard say, that their own men would plunder the minster; namely Hereward and his gang: because they understood that the king had given the abbacy to a French abbot, whose name was Thorold;—that he was a very stern man, and was then come into Stamford with all his Frenchmen.Now there was a churchwarden, whose name was Yware; who took away by night all that he could, testaments, mass-hackles, cantel-copes, and reefs, and such other small things, whatsoever he could; and went early, before day, to the Abbot Thorold; telling him that he sought his protection, and informing him how the outlaws were coming to Peterborough, and that he did all by advice of the monks.Early in the morning came all the outlaws with many ships, resolving to enter the minster; but the monks withstood, so that they could not come in.Then they laid on fire, and burned all the houses of the monks, and all the town except one house.Then came they in through fire at the Bull-hithe gate; where the monks met them, and besought peace of them.But they regarded nothing.They went into the minster, climbed up to the holy rood, took away the diadem from our Lord's head, all of pure gold, and seized the bracket that was underneath his feet, which was all of red gold.They climbed up to the steeple, brought down the table that was hid there, which was all of gold and silver, seized two golden shrines, and nine of silver, and took away fifteen large crucifixes, of gold and of silver; in short, they seized there so much gold and silver, and so many treasures, in money, in raiment, and in books, as no man could tell another; and said, that they did it from their attachment to the minster.Afterwards they went to their ships, proceeded to Ely, and deposited there all the treasure.The Danes, believing that they should overcome the Frenchmen, drove out all the monks; leaving there only one, whose name was Leofwine Lang, who lay sick in the infirmary.Then came Abbot Thorold and eight times twenty Frenchmen with him, all full-armed.When he came thither, he found all within and without consumed by fire, except the church alone; but the outlaws were all with the fleet, knowing that he would come thither.This was done on the fourth day before the nones of June.The two kings, William and Sweyne, were now reconciled; and the Danes went out of Ely with all the aforesaid treasure, and carried it away with them.But when they came into the middle of the sea, there came a violent storm, and dispersed all the ships wherein the treasures were.Some went to Norway, some to Ireland, some to Denmark.All that reached the latter, consisted of the table, and some shrines, and some crucifixes, and many of the other treasures; which they brought to a king's town, called ——, and deposited it all there in the church.Afterwards through their own carelessness, and through their drunkenness, in one night the church and all that was therein was consumed by fire.Thus was the minster of Peterborough burned and plundered.Almighty God have mercy on it through his great goodness.Thus came the Abbot Thorold to Peterborough; and the monks too returned, and performed the service of Christ in the church, which had before stood a full week without any kind of rite.When Bishop Aylric heard it, he excommunicated all the men who that evil deed had done.There was a great famine this year: and in the summer came the fleet in the north from the Humber into the Thames, and lay there two nights, and made afterwards for Denmark.Earl Baldwin also died, and his son Arnulf succeeded to the earldom.Earl William, in conjunction with the king of the Franks, was to be his guardian; but Earl Robert came and slew his kinsman Arnulf and the earl, put the king to flight, and slew many thousands of his men.

A.D.1071.This year Earl Edwin and Earl Morkar fled out, (93) and roamed at random in woods and in fields.Then went Earl Morkar to Ely by ship; but Earl Edwin was treacherously slain by his own men.Then came Bishop Aylwine, and Siward Barn, and many hundred men with them, into Ely.When King William heard that, then ordered he out a naval force and land force, and beset the land all about, and wrought a bridge, and went in; and the naval force at the same time on the sea-side.And the outlaws then all surrendered; that was, Bishop Aylwine, and Earl Morkar, and all that were with them; except Hereward (94) alone, and all those that would join him, whom he led out triumphantly.And the king took their ships, and weapons, and many treasures; (95) and all the men he disposed of as he thought proper.Bishop Aylwine he sent to Abingdon, where he died in the beginning of the winter.

A.D.1072.This year King William led a naval force and a land force to Scotland, and beset that land on the sea-side with ships, whilst he led his land-force in at the Tweed; (96) but he found nothing there of any value.King Malcolm, however, came, and made peace with King William, and gave hostages, and became his man; whereupon the king returned home with all his force.This year died Bishop Aylric.He had been invested Bishop of York; but that see was unjustly taken from him, and he then had the bishopric of Durham given him; which he held as long as he chose, but resigned it afterwards, and retired to Peterborough minster; where he abode twelve years.After that King William won England, then took he him from Peterborough, and sent him to Westminster; where he died on the ides of October, and he is there buried, within the minster, in the porch of St.Nicholas.

A.D.1073.This year led King William an army, English and French, over sea, and won the district of Maine; which the English very much injured by destroying the vineyards, burning the towns, and spoiling the land.But they subdued it all into the hand of King William, and afterwards returned home to England.

A.D.1074.This year King William went over sea to Normandy; and child Edgar came from Flanders into Scotland on St.Grimbald's mass-day; where King Malcolm and his sister Margaret received him with much pomp.At the same time sent Philip, the King of France, a letter to him, bidding him to come to him, and he would give him the castle of Montreuil; that he might afterwards daily annoy his enemies.What then?King Malcolm and his sister Margaret gave him and his men great presents, and many treasures; in skins ornamented with purple, in pelisses made of martin-skins, of grey-skins, and of ermine-skins, in palls, and in vessels of gold and silver; and conducted him and his crew with great pomp from his territory.But in their voyage evil befel them; for when they were out at sea, there came upon them such rough weather, and the stormy sea and the strong wind drove them so violently on the shore, that all their ships burst, and they also themselves came with difficulty to the land.Their treasure was nearly all lost, and some of his men also were taken by the French; but he himself and his best men returned again to Scotland, some roughly travelling on foot, and some miserably mounted.Then King Malcolm advised him to send to King William over sea, to request his friendship, which he did; and the king gave it him, and sent after him.Again, therefore, King Malcolm and his sister gave him and all his men numberless treasures, and again conducted him very magnificently from their territory.The sheriff of York came to meet him at Durham, and went all the way with him; ordering meat and fodder to be found for him at every castle to which they came, until they came over sea to the king.Then King William received him with much pomp; and he was there afterwards in his court, enjoying such rights as he confirmed to him by law.

A.D.1075.This year King William gave Earl Ralph the daughter of William Fitz-Osborne to wife.This same Ralph was British on his mother's side; but his father, whose name was also Ralph, was English; and born in Norfolk.The king therefore gave his son the earldom of Norfolk and Suffolk; and he then led the bride to Norwich.There was that bride-ale The source of man's bale.There was Earl Roger, and Earl Waltheof, and bishops, and abbots; who there resolved, that they would drive the king out of the realm of England.But it was soon told the king in Normandy how it was determined.It was Earl Roger and Earl Ralph who were the authors of that plot; and who enticed the Britons to them, and sent eastward to Denmark after a fleet to assist them.Roger went westward to his earldom, and collected his people there, to the king's annoyance, as he thought; but it was to the great disadvantage of himself.He was however prevented.Ralph also in his earldom would go forth with his people; but the castlemen that were in England and also the people of the land, came against him, and prevented him from doing anything.He escaped however to the ships at Norwich.(97) And his wife was in the castle; which she held until peace was made with her; when she went out of England, with all her men who wished to join her.The king afterwards came to England, and seized Earl Roger, his relative, and put him in prison.And Earl Waltheof went over sea, and bewrayed himself; but he asked forgiveness, and proffered gifts of ransom.The king, however, let him off lightly, until he (98) came to England; when he had him seized.Soon after that came east from Denmark two hundred ships; wherein were two captains, Cnute Swainson, and Earl Hacco; but they durst not maintain a fight with King William.They went rather to York, and broke into St.Peter's minster, and took therein much treasure, and so went away.They made for Flanders over sea; but they all perished who were privy to that design; that was, the son of Earl Hacco, and many others with him.This year died the Lady Edgitha, who was the relict of King Edward, seven nights before Christmas, at Winchester; and the king caused her to be brought to Westminster with great pomp; and he laid her with King Edward, her lord.And the king was then at Westminster, at midwinter; where all the Britons were condemned who were at the bride-ale at Norwich.Some were punished with blindness; some were driven from the land; and some were towed to Scandinavia.So were the traitors of King William subdued.

A.D.1076.This year died Sweyne, King of Denmark; and Harold his son took to the kingdom.And the king gave the abbacy of Westminster to Abbot Vitalis, who had been Abbot of Bernay.This year also was Earl Waltheof beheaded at Winchester, on the mass-day of St.Petronilla; (99) and his body was carried to Croyland, where he lies buried.King William now went over sea, and led his army to Brittany, and beset the castle of Dol; but the Bretons defended it, until the king came from France; whereupon William departed thence, having lost there both men and horses, and many of his treasures.

A.D.1077.This year were reconciled the king of the Franks and William, King of England.But it continued only a little while.This year was London burned, one night before the Assumption of St.Mary, so terribly as it never was before, since it was built.This year the moon was eclipsed three nights before Candlemas; and in the same year died Aylwy, the prudent Abbot of Evesham, on the fourteenth day before the calends of March, on the mass-day of St.Juliana; and Walter was appointed abbot in his stead; and Bishop Herman also died, on the tenth day before the calends of March, who was Bishop in Berkshire, and in Wiltshire, and in Dorsetshire.This year also King Malcolm won the mother of Malslaythe….and all his best men, and all his treasures, and his cattle; and he himself not easily escaped….This year also was the dry summer; and wild fire came upon many shires, and burned many towns; and also many cities were ruined thereby.

A.D.1079.This year Robert, the son of King William, deserted from his father to his uncle Robert in Flanders; because his father would not let him govern his earldom in Normandy; which he himself, and also King Philip with his permission, had given him.The best men that were in the land also had sworn oaths of allegiance to him, and taken him for their lord.This year, therefore, Robert fought with his father, without Normandy, by a castle called Gerberoy; and wounded him in the hand; and his horse, that he sat upon, was killed under him; and he that brought him another was killed there right with a dart.That was Tookie Wiggodson.Many were there slain, and also taken.His son William too was there wounded; but Robert returned to Flanders.We will not here, however, record any more injury that he did his father.This year came King Malcolm from Scotland into England, betwixt the two festivals of St.Mary, with a large army, which plundered Northumberland till it came to the Tine, and slew many hundreds of men, and carried home much coin, and treasure, and men in captivity.

A.D.1080.This year was Bishop Walker slain in Durham, at a council; and an hundred men with him, French and Flemish.He himself was born in Lorrain.This did the Northumbrians in the month of May.(100)

A.D.1081.This year the king led an army into Wales, and there freed many hundreds of men.

A.D.1082.This year the king seized Bishop Odo; and this year also was a great famine.

A.D.1083.This year arose the tumult at Glastonbury betwixt the Abbot Thurstan and his monks.It proceeded first from the abbot's want of wisdom, that he misgoverned his monks in many things.But the monks meant well to him; and told him that he should govern them rightly, and love them, and they would be faithful and obedient to him.The abbot, however, would hear nothing of this; but evil entreated them, and threatened them worse.One day the abbot went into the chapter-house, and spoke against the monks, and attempted to mislead them; (101) and sent after some laymen, and they came full-armed into the chapter-house upon the monks.Then were the monks very much afraid (102) of them, and wist not what they were to do, but they shot forward, and some ran into the church, and locked the doors after them.But they followed them into the minster, and resolved to drag them out, so that they durst not go out.A rueful thing happened on that day.The Frenchmen broke into the choir, and hurled their weapons toward the altar, where the monks were; and some of the knights went upon the upper floor, (103) and shot their arrows downward incessantly toward the sanctuary; so that on the crucifix that stood above the altar they stuck many arrows.And the wretched monks lay about the altar, and some crept under, and earnestly called upon God, imploring his mercy, since they could not obtain any at the hands of men.What can we say, but that they continued to shoot their arrows; whilst the others broke down the doors, and came in, and slew (104) some of the monks to death, and wounded many therein; so that the blood came from the altar upon the steps, and from the steps on the floor.Three there were slain to death, and eighteen wounded.And in this same year departed Matilda, queen of King William, on the day after All-Hallow-mass.And in the same year also, after mid-winter, the king ordained a large and heavy contribution (105) over all England; that was, upon each hide of land, two and seventy pence.

A.D.1084.In this year died Wulfwold, Abbot of Chertsey, on the thirteenth day before the calends of May.

A.D.1085.In this year men reported, and of a truth asserted, that Cnute, King of Denmark, son of King Sweyne, was coming hitherward, and was resolved to win this land, with the assistance of Robert, Earl of Flanders; (106) for Cnute had Robert's daughter.When William, King of England, who was then resident in Normandy (for he had both England and Normandy), understood this, he went into England with so large an army of horse and foot, from France and Brittany, as never before sought this land; so that men wondered how this land could feed all that force.But the king left the army to shift for themselves through all this land amongst his subjects, who fed them, each according to his quota of land.Men suffered much distress this year; and the king caused the land to be laid waste about the sea coast; that, if his foes came up, they might not have anything on which they could very readily seize.But when the king understood of a truth that his foes were impeded, and could not further their expedition, (107) then let he some of the army go to their own land; but some he held in this land over the winter.Then, at the midwinter, was the king in Glocester with his council, and held there his court five days.And afterwards the archbishop and clergy had a synod three days.There was Mauritius chosen Bishop of London, William of Norfolk, and Robert of Cheshire.These were all the king's clerks.After this had the king a large meeting, and very deep consultation with his council, about this land; how it was occupied, and by what sort of men.Then sent he his men over all England into each shire; commissioning them to find out "How many hundreds of hides were in the shire, what land the king himself had, and what stock upon the land; or, what dues he ought to have by the year from the shire."Also he commissioned them to record in writing, "How much land his archbishops had, and his diocesan bishops, and his abbots, and his earls;" and though I may be prolix and tedious, "What, or how much, each man had, who was an occupier of land in England, either in land or in stock, and how much money it were worth."So very narrowly, indeed, did he commission them to trace it out, that there was not one single hide, nor a yard (108) of land, nay, moreover (it is shameful to tell, though he thought it no shame to do it), not even an ox, nor a cow, nor a swine was there left, that was not set down in his writ.And all the recorded particulars were afterwards brought to him.(109)

A.D.1086.This year the king bare his crown, and held his court, in Winchester at Easter; and he so arranged, that he was by the Pentecost at Westminster, and dubbed his son Henry a knight there.Afterwards he moved about so that he came by Lammas to Sarum; where he was met by his councillors; and all the landsmen that were of any account over all England became this man's vassals as they were; and they all bowed themselves before him, and became his men, and swore him oaths of allegiance that they would against all other men be faithful to him.Thence he proceeded into the Isle of Wight; because he wished to go into Normandy, and so he afterwards did; though he first did according to his custom; he collected a very large sum from his people, wherever he could make any demand, whether with justice or otherwise.Then he went into Normandy; and Edgar Etheling, the relation of King Edward, revolted from him, for he received not much honour from him; but may the Almighty God give him honour hereafter.And Christina, the sister of the etheling, went into the monastery of Rumsey, and received the holy veil.And the same year there was a very heavy season, and a swinkful and sorrowful year in England, in murrain of cattle, and corn and fruits were at a stand, and so much untowardness in the weather, as a man may not easily think; so tremendous was the thunder and lightning, that it killed many men; and it continually grew worse and worse with men.May God Almighty better it whenever it be his will.

A.D.1087.After the birth of our Lord and Saviour Christ, one thousand and eighty-seven winters; in the one and twentieth year after William began to govern and direct England, as God granted him, was a very heavy and pestilent season in this land.Such a sickness came on men, that full nigh every other man was in the worst disorder, that is, in the diarrhoea; and that so dreadfully, that many men died in the disorder.Afterwards came, through the badness of the weather as we before mentioned, so great a famine over all England, that many hundreds of men died a miserable death through hunger.Alas!how wretched and how rueful a time was there!When the poor wretches lay full nigh driven to death prematurely, and afterwards came sharp hunger, and dispatched them withall!Who will not be penetrated with grief at such a season?or who is so hardhearted as not to weep at such misfortune?Yet such things happen for folks' sins, that they will not love God and righteousness.So it was in those days, that little righteousness was in this land with any men but with the monks alone, wherever they fared well.The king and the head men loved much, and overmuch, covetousness in gold and in silver; and recked not how sinfully it was got, provided it came to them.The king let his land at as high a rate as he possibly could; then came some other person, and bade more than the former one gave, and the king let it to the men that bade him more.Then came the third, and bade yet more; and the king let it to hand to the men that bade him most of all: and he recked not how very sinfully the stewards got it of wretched men, nor how many unlawful deeds they did; but the more men spake about right law, the more unlawfully they acted.They erected unjust tolls, and many other unjust things they did, that are difficult to reckon.Also in the same year, before harvest, the holy minster of St.Paul, the episcopal see in London, was completely burned, with many other minsters, and the greatest part, and the richest of the whole city.So also, about the same time, full nigh each head-port in all England was entirely burned.Alas!rueful and woeful was the fate of the year that brought forth so many misfortunes.In the same year also, before the Assumption of St.Mary, King William went from Normandy into France with an army, and made war upon his own lord Philip, the king, and slew many of his men, and burned the town of Mante, and all the holy minsters that were in the town; and two holy men that served God, leading the life of anachorets, were burned therein.This being thus done, King William returned to Normandy.Rueful was the thing he did; but a more rueful him befel.How more rueful?He fell sick, and it dreadfully ailed him.What shall I say?Sharp death, that passes by neither rich men nor poor, seized him also.He died in Normandy, on the next day after the Nativity of St.Mary, and he was buried at Caen in St.Stephen's minster, which he had formerly reared, and afterwards endowed with manifold gifts.Alas!how false and how uncertain is this world's weal!He that was before a rich king, and lord of many lands, had not then of all his land more than a space of seven feet!and he that was whilom enshrouded in gold and gems, lay there covered with mould!He left behind him three sons; the eldest, called Robert, who was earl in Normandy after him; the second, called William, who wore the crown after him in England; and the third, called Henry, to whom his father bequeathed immense treasure.If any person wishes to know what kind of man he was, or what honour he had, or of how many lands he was lord, then will we write about him as well as we understand him: we who often looked upon him, and lived sometime in his court.This King William then that we speak about was a very wise man, and very rich; more splendid and powerful than any of his predecessors were.He was mild to the good men that loved God, and beyond all measure severe to the men that gainsayed his will.On that same spot where God granted him that he should gain England, he reared a mighty minster, and set monks therein, and well endowed it.In his days was the great monastery in Canterbury built, and also very many others over all England.This land was moreover well filled with monks, who modelled their lives after the rule of St.Benedict.But such was the state of Christianity in his time, that each man followed what belonged to his profession—he that would.He was also very dignified.Thrice he bare his crown each year, as oft as he was in England.At Easter he bare it in Winchester, at Pentecost in Westminster, at midwinter in Glocester.And then were with him all the rich men over all England; archbishops and diocesan bishops, abbots and earls, thanes and knights.So very stern was he also and hot, that no man durst do anything against his will.He had earls in his custody, who acted against his will.Bishops he hurled from their bishoprics, and abbots from their abbacies, and thanes into prison.At length he spared not his own brother Odo, who was a very rich bishop in Normandy.At Baieux was his episcopal stall; and he was the foremost man of all to aggrandise the king.He had an earldom in England; and when the king was in Normandy, then was he the mightiest man in this land.Him he confined in prison.But amongst other things is not to be forgotten that good peace that he made in this land; so that a man of any account might go over his kingdom unhurt with his bosom full of gold.No man durst slay another, had he never so much evil done to the other; and if any churl lay with a woman against her will, he soon lost the limb that he played with.He truly reigned over England; and by his capacity so thoroughly surveyed it, that there was not a hide of land in England that he wist not who had it, or what it was worth, and afterwards set it down in his book.(110) The land of the Britons was in his power; and he wrought castles therein; and ruled Anglesey withal.So also he subdued Scotland by his great strength.As to Normandy, that was his native land; but he reigned also over the earldom called Maine; and if he might have yet lived two years more, he would have won Ireland by his valour, and without any weapons.Assuredly in his time had men much distress, and very many sorrows.Castles he let men build, and miserably swink the poor.The king himself was so very rigid; and extorted from his subjects many marks of gold, and many hundred pounds of silver; which he took of his people, for little need, by right and by unright.He was fallen into covetousness, and greediness he loved withal.He made many deer-parks; and he established laws therewith; so that whosoever slew a hart, or a hind, should be deprived of his eyesight.As he forbade men to kill the harts, so also the boars; and he loved the tall deer as if he were their father.Likewise he decreed by the hares, that they should go free.His rich men bemoaned it, and the poor men shuddered at it.But he was so stern, that he recked not the hatred of them all; for they must follow withal the king's will, if they would live, or have land, or possessions, or even his peace.Alas!that any man should presume so to puff himself up, and boast o'er all men.May the Almighty God show mercy to his soul, and grant him forgiveness of his sins!These things have we written concerning him, both good and evil; that men may choose the good after their goodness, and flee from the evil withal, and go in the way that leadeth us to the kingdom of heaven.Many things may we write that were done in this same year.So it was in Denmark, that the Danes, a nation that was formerly accounted the truest of all, were turned aside to the greatest untruth, and to the greatest treachery that ever could be.They chose and bowed to King Cnute, and swore him oaths, and afterwards dastardly slew him in a church.It happened also in Spain, that the heathens went and made inroads upon the Christians, and reduced much of the country to their dominion.But the king of the Christians, Alphonzo by name, sent everywhere into each land, and desired assistance.And they came to his support from every land that was Christian; and they went and slew or drove away all the heathen folk, and won their land again, through God's assistance.In this land also, in the same year, died many rich men; Stigand, Bishop of Chichester, and the Abbot of St.Augustine, and the Abbot of Bath, and the Abbot of Pershore, and the lord of them all, William, King of England, that we spoke of before.After his death his son, called William also as the father, took to the kingdom, and was blessed to king by Archbishop Landfranc at Westminster three days ere Michaelmas day.And all the men in England submitted to him, and swore oaths to him.This being thus done, the king went to Winchester, and opened the treasure house, and the treasures that his father had gathered, in gold, and in silver, and in vases, and in palls, and in gems, and in many other valuable things that are difficult to enumerate.Then the king did as his father bade him ere he was dead; he there distributed treasures for his father's soul to each monastery that was in England; to some ten marks of gold, to some six, to each upland (111) church sixty pence.And into each shire were sent a hundred pounds of money to distribute amongst poor men for his soul.And ere he departed, he bade that they should release all the men that were in prison under his power.And the king was on the midwinter in London.

A.D.1088.In this year was this land much stirred, and filled with great treachery; so that the richest Frenchmen that were in this land would betray their lord the king, and would have his brother Robert king, who was earl in Normandy.In this design was engaged first Bishop Odo, and Bishop Gosfrith, and William, Bishop of Durham.So well did the king by the bishop [Odo] that all England fared according to his counsel, and as he would.And the bishop thought to do by him as Judas Iscariot did by our Lord.And Earl Roger was also of this faction; and much people was with him all Frenchmen.This conspiracy was formed in Lent.As soon as Easter came, then went they forth, and harrowed, and burned, and wasted the king's farms; and they despoiled the lands of all the men that were in the king's service.And they each of them went to his castle, and manned it, and provisioned it as well as they could.Bishop Gosfrith, and Robert the peace-breaker, went to Bristol, and plundered it, and brought the spoil to the castle.Afterwards they went out of the castle, and plundered Bath, and all the land thereabout; and all the honor (112) of Berkeley they laid waste.And the men that eldest were of Hereford, and all the shire forthwith, and the men of Shropshire, with much people of Wales, came and plundered and burned in Worcestershire, until they came to the city itself, which it was their design to set on fire, and then to rifle the minster, and win the king's castle to their hands.The worthy Bishop Wulfstan, seeing these things, was much agitated in his mind, because to him was betaken the custody of the castle.Nevertheless his hired men went out of the castle with few attendants, and, through God's mercy and the bishop's merits, slew or took five hundred men, and put all the others to flight.The Bishop of Durham did all the harm that he could over all by the north.Roger was the name of one of them; (113) who leaped into the castle at Norwich, and did yet the worst of all over all that land.Hugh also was one, who did nothing better either in Leicestershire or in Northamptonshire.The Bishop Odo being one, though of the same family from which the king himself was descended, went into Kent to his earldom, and greatly despoiled it; and having laid waste the lands of the king and of the archbishop withal, he brought the booty into his castle at Rochester.When the king understood all these things, and what treachery they were employing against him, then was he in his mind much agitated.He then sent after Englishmen, described to them his need, earnestly requested their support, and promised them the best laws that ever before were in this land; each unright guild he forbade, and restored to the men their woods and chaces.But it stood no while.The Englishmen however went to the assistance of the king their lord.They advanced toward Rochester, with a view to get possession of the Bishop Odo; for they thought, if they had him who was at first the head of the conspiracy, they might the better get possession of all the others.They came then to the castle at Tunbridge; and there were in the castle the knights of Bishop Odo, and many others who were resolved to hold it against the king.But the Englishmen advanced, and broke into the castle, and the men that were therein agreed with the king.The king with his army went toward Rochester.And they supposed that the bishop was therein; but it was made known to the king that the bishop was gone to the castle at Pevensea.And the king with his army went after, and beset the castle about with a very large force full six weeks.During this time the Earl of Normandy, Robert, the king's brother, gathered a very considerable force, and thought to win England with the support of those men that were in this land against the king.And he sent some of his men to this land, intending to come himself after.But the Englishmen that guarded the sea lighted upon some of the men, and slew them, and drowned more than any man could tell.When provisions afterwards failed those within the castle, they earnestly besought peace, and gave themselves up to the king; and the bishop swore that he would depart out of England, and no more come on this land, unless the king sent after him, and that he would give up the castle at Rochester.Just as the bishop was going with an intention to give up the castle, and the king had sent his men with him, then arose the men that were in the castle, and took the bishop and the king's men, and put them into prison.In the castle were some very good knights; Eustace the Young, and the three sons of Earl Roger, and all the best born men that were in this land or in Normandy.When the king understood this thing, then went he after with the army that he had there, and sent over all England.and bade that each man that was faithful should come to him, French and English, from sea-port and from upland.Then came to him much people; and he went to Rochester, and beset the castle, until they that were therein agreed, and gave up the castle.The Bishop Odo with the men that were in the castle went over sea, and the bishop thus abandoned the dignity that he had in this land.The king afterwards sent an army to Durham, and allowed it to beset the castle, and the bishop agreed, and gave up the castle, and relinquished his bishopric, and went to Normandy.Many Frenchmen also abandoned their lands, and went over sea; and the king gave their lands to the men that were faithful to him.

A.D.1089.In this year the venerable father and favourer of monks, Archbishop Landfranc, departed this life; but we hope that he is gone to the heavenly kingdom.There was also over all England much earth-stirring on the third day before the ides of August, and it was a very late year in corn, and in every kind of fruits, so that many men reaped their corn about Martinmas, and yet later.

A.D.1090.Indiction XIII.These things thus done, just as we have already said above, by the king, and by his brother and by this men, the king was considering how he might wreak his vengeance on his brother Robert, harass him most, and win Normandy of him.And indeed through his craft, or through bribery, he got possession of the castle at St.Valeri, and the haven; and so he got possession of that at Albemarle.And therein he set his knights; and they did harm to the land in harrowing and burning.After this he got possession of more castles in the land; and therein lodged his horsemen.When the Earl of Normandy, Robert, understood that his sworn men deceived him, and gave up their castles to do him harm, then sent he to his lord, Philip, king of the Franks; and he came to Normandy with a large army, and the king and the earl with an immense force beset the castle about, wherein were the men of the King of England.But the King William of England sent to Philip, king of the Franks; and he for his love, or for his great treasure, abandoned thus his subject the Earl Robert and his land; and returned again to France, and let them so remain.And in the midst of these things this land was much oppressed by unlawful exactions and by many other misfortunes.

A.D.1091.In this year the King William held his court at Christmas in Westminster, and thereafter at Candlemas he went, for the annoyance of his brother, out of England into Normandy.Whilst he was there, their reconciliation took place, on the condition, that the earl put into his hands Feschamp, and the earldom of Ou, and Cherbourg; and in addition to this, that the king's men should be secure in the castles that they had won against the will of the earl.And the king in return promised him those many [castles] that their father had formerly won, and also to reduce those that had revolted from the earl, also all that his father had there beyond, except those that he had then given the king, and that all those, that in England before for the earl had lost their land, should have it again by this treaty, and that the earl should have in England just so much as was specified in this agreement.And if the earl died without a son by lawful wedlock, the king should be heir of all Normandy; and by virtue of this same treaty, if the king died, the earl should be heir of all England.To this treaty swore twelve of the best men of the king's side, and twelve of the earl's, though it stood but a little while afterwards.In the midst of this treaty was Edgar Etheling deprived of the land that the earl had before permitted him to keep in hand; and he went out of Normandy to the king, his sister's husband, in Scotland, and to his sister.Whilst the King William was out of England, the King Malcolm of Scotland came hither into England, and overran a great deal of it, until the good men that governed this land sent an army against him and repulsed him.When the King William in Normandy heard this, then prepared he his departure, and came to England, and his brother, the Earl Robert, with him; and he soon issued an order to collect a force both naval and military; but the naval force, ere it could come to Scotland, perished almost miserably, a few days before St.Michael's mass.And the king and his brother proceeded with the land-force; but when the King Malcolm heard that they were resolved to seek him with an army, he went with his force out of Scotland into Lothaine in England, and there abode.When the King William came near with his army, then interceded between them Earl Robert, and Edgar Etheling, and so made the peace of the kings, that the King Malcolm came to our king, and did homage, (114) promising all such obedience as he formerly paid to his father; and that he confirmed with an oath.And the King William promised him in land and in all things whatever he formerly had under his father.In this settlement was also Edgar Etheling united with the king.And the kings then with much satisfaction departed; yet that stood but a little while.And the Earl Robert tarried here full nigh until Christmas with the king, and during this time found but little of the truth of their agreement; and two days before that tide he took ship in the Isle of Wight, and went into Normandy, and Edgar Etheling with him.

A.D.1092.In this year the King William with a large army went north to Carlisle, and restored the town, and reared the castle, and drove out Dolphin that before governed the land, and set his own men in the castle, and then returned hither southward.And a vast number of rustic people with wives and with cattle he sent thither, to dwell there in order to till the land.

A.D.1093.In this year, during Lent, was the King William at Glocester so sick, that he was by all reported dead.And in his illness he made many good promises to lead his own life aright; to grant peace and protection to the churches of God, and never more again with fee to sell; to have none but righteous laws amongst his people.The archbishopric of Canterbury, that before remained in his own hand, he transferred to Anselm, who was before Abbot of Bec; to Robert his chancellor the bishopric of Lincoln; and to many minsters he gave land; but that he afterwards took away, when he was better, and annulled all the good laws that he promised us before.Then after this sent the King of Scotland, and demanded the fulfilment of the treaty that was promised him.And the King William cited him to Glocester, and sent him hostages to Scotland; and Edgar Etheling, afterwards, and the men returned, that brought him with great dignity to the king.But when he came to the king, he could not be considered worthy either of our king's speech, or of the conditions that were formerly promised him.For this reason therefore they parted with great dissatisfaction, and the King Malcolm returned to Scotland.And soon after he came home, he gathered his army, and came harrowing into England with more hostility than behoved him; and Robert, the Earl of Northumberland, surrounded him unawares with his men, and slew him.Morel of Barnborough slew him, who was the earl's steward, and a baptismal friend (115) of King Malcolm.With him was also slain Edward his son; who after him should have been king, if he had lived.When the good Queen Margaret heard this—her most beloved lord and son thus betrayed she was in her mind almost distracted to death.She with her priests went to church, and performed her rites, and prayed before God, that she might give up the ghost.And the Scots then chose (116) Dufenal to king, Malcolm's brother, and drove out all the English that formerly were with the King Malcolm.When Duncan, King Malcolm's son, heard all that had thus taken place (he was then in the King William's court, because his father had given him as a hostage to our king's father, and so he lived here afterwards), he came to the king, and did such fealty as the king required at his hands; and so with his permission went to Scotland, with all the support that he could get of English and French, and deprived his uncle Dufenal of the kingdom, and was received as king.But the Scots afterwards gathered some force together, and slew full nigh all his men; and he himself with a few made his escape.(117) Afterwards they were reconciled, on the condition that he never again brought into the land English or French.

A.D.1094.This year the King William held his court at Christmas in Glocester; and messengers came to him thither from his brother Robert of Normandy; who said that his brother renounced all peace and conditions, unless the king would fulfil all that they had stipulated in the treaty; and upon that he called him forsworn and void of truth, unless he adhered to the treaty, or went thither and explained himself there, where the treaty was formerly made and also sworn.Then went the king to Hastings at Candlemas; and whilst he there abode waiting the weather, he let hallow the minster at Battel, and deprived Herbert Losang, the Bishop of Thetford, of his staff; and thereafter about mid-Lent went over sea into Normandy.After he came, thither, he and his brother Robert, the earl, said that they should come together in peace (and so they did), and might be united.Afterwards they came together with the same men that before made the treaty, and also confirmed it by oaths; and all the blame of breaking the treaty they threw upon the king; but he would not confess this, nor even adhere to the treaty; and for this reason they parted with much dissatisfaction.And the king afterwards won the castle at Bures, and took the earl's men therein; some of whom he sent hither to this land.On the other hand the earl, with the assistance of the King of France, won the castle at Argence, and took therein Roger of Poitou, (118) and seven hundred of the king's knights with him; and afterwards that at Hulme; and oft readily did either of them burn the towns of the other, and also took men.Then sent the king hither to this land, and ordered twenty thousand Englishmen to be sent out to Normandy to his assistance; but when they came to sea, they then had orders to return, and to pay to the king's behoof the fee that they had taken; which was half a pound each man; and they did so.And the earl after this, with the King of France, and with all that he could gather together, went through the midst of Normandy, towards Ou, where the King William was, and thought to besiege him within; and so they advanced until they came to Luneville.There was the King of France through cunning turned aside; and so afterwards all the army dispersed.In the midst of these things the King William sent after his brother Henry, who was in the castle at Damfront; but because he could not go through Normandy with security, he sent ships after him, and Hugh, Earl of Chester.When, however, they should have gone towards Ou where the king was, they went to England, and came up at Hamton, (119) on the eve of the feast of All Saints, and here afterwards abode; and at Christmas they were in London.In this same year also the Welshmen gathered themselves together, and with the French that were in Wales, or in the neighbourhood, and had formerly seized their land, stirred up war, and broke into many fastnesses and castles, and slew many men.And when their followers had increased, they divided themselves into larger parties.With some part of them fought Hugh, Earl of Shropshire, (120) and put them to flight.Nevertheless the other part of them all this year omitted no evil that they could do.This year also the Scots ensnared their king, Duncan, and slew him; and afterwards, the second time, took his uncle Dufenal to king, through whose instruction and advice he was betrayed to death.

A.D.1095.In this year was the King William the first four days of Christmas at Whitsand, and after the fourth day came hither, and landed at Dover.And Henry, the king's brother, abode in this land until Lent, and then went over sea to Normandy, with much treasure, on the king's behalf, against their brother, Earl Robert, and frequently fought against the earl, and did him much harm, both in land and in men.And then at Easter held the king his court in Winchester; and the Earl Robert of Northumberland would not come to court.And the king was much stirred to anger with him for this, and sent to him, and bade him harshly, if he would be worthy of protection, that he would come to court at Pentecost.In this year was Easter on the eighth day before the calends of April; and upon Easter, on the night of the feast of St Ambrose, that is, the second before the nones of April, (121) nearly over all this land, and almost all the night, numerous and manifold stars were seen to fall from heaven; not by one or two, but so thick in succession, that no man could tell it.Hereafter at Pentecost was the king at Windsor, and all his council with him, except the Earl of Northumberland; for the king would neither give him hostages, nor own upon truth, that he might come and go with security.And the king therefore ordered his army, and went against the earl to Northumberland; and soon after he came thither, he won many and nearly all the best of the earl's clan in a fortress, and put them into custody; and the castle at Tinemouth he beset until he won it, and the earl's brother therein, and all that were with him; and afterwards went to Bamborough, and beset the earl therein.But when the king saw that he could not win it, then ordered he his men to make a castle before Bamborough, and called it in his speech "Malveisin"; that is in English, "Evil Neighbour".And he fortified it strongly with his men, and afterwards went southward.Then, soon after that the king was gone south, went the earl one night out of Bamborough towards Tinemouth; but they that were in the new castle were aware of him, and went after him, and fought him, and wounded him, and afterwards took him.And of those that were with him some they slew, and some they took alive.Among these things it was made known to the king, that the Welshmen in Wales had broken into a castle called Montgomery, and slain the men of Earl Hugo, that should have held it.He therefore gave orders to levy another force immediately, and after Michaelmas went into Wales, and shifted his forces, and went through all that land, so that the army came all together by All Saints to Snowdon.But the Welsh always went before into the mountains and the moors, that no man could come to them.The king then went homeward; for he saw that he could do no more there this winter.When the king came home again, he gave orders to take the Earl Robert of Northumberland, and lead him to Bamborough, and put out both his eyes, unless they that were therein would give up the castle.His wife held it, and Morel who was steward, and also his relative.Through this was the castle then given up; and Morel was then in the king's court; and through him were many both of the clergy and laity surrendered, who with their counsels had conspired against the king.The king had before this time commanded some to be brought into prison, and afterwards had it very strictly proclaimed over all this country, "That all who held land of the king, as they wished to be considered worthy of protection, should come to court at the time appointed."And the king commanded that the Earl Robert should be led to Windsor, and there held in the castle.Also in this same year, against Easter, came the pope's nuncio hither to this land.This was Bishop Walter, a man of very good life, of the town of Albano; and upon the day of Pentecost on the behalf of Pope Urban he gave Archbishop Anselm his pall, and he received him at his archiepiscopal stall in Canterbury.And Bishop Walter remained afterwards in this land a great part of the year; and men then sent by him the Rome-scot, (122) which they had not done for many years before.This same year also the weather was very unseasonable; in consequence of which throughout all this land were all the fruits of the earth reduced to a moderate crop.

A.D.1096.In this year held the King William his court at Christmas in Windsor; and William Bishop of Durham died there on new-year's day; and on the octave of the Epiphany was the king and all his councillors at Salisbury.There Geoffry Bainard challenged William of Ou, the king's relative, maintaining that he had been in the conspiracy against the king.And he fought with him, and overcame him in single combat; and after he was overcome, the king gave orders to put out his eyes, and afterwards to emasculate him; and his steward, William by name, who was the son of his stepmother, the king commanded to be hanged on a gibbet.Then was also Eoda, Earl of Champagne, the king's son-in-law, and many others, deprived of their lands; whilst some were led to London, and there killed.This year also, at Easter, there was a very great stir through all this nation and many others, on account of Urban, who was declared Pope, though he had nothing of a see at Rome.And an immense multitude went forth with their wives and children, that they might make war upon the heathens.Through this expedition were the king and his brother, Earl Robert, reconciled; so that the king went over sea, and purchased all Normandy of him, on condition that they should be united.And the earl afterwards departed; and with him the Earl of Flanders, and the Earl of Boulogne, and also many other men of rank (123).And the Earl Robert, and they that went with him, passed the winter in Apulia; but of the people that went by Hungary many thousands miserably perished there and by the way.And many dragged themselves home rueful and hunger-bitten on the approach of winter.This was a very heavy-timed year through all England, both through the manifold tributes, and also through the very heavy-timed hunger that severely oppressed this earth in the course of the year.In this year also the principal men who held this land, frequently sent forces into Wales, and many men thereby grievously afflicted, producing no results but destruction of men and waste of money.

A.D.1097.In this year was the King William at Christmas in Normandy; and afterwards against Easter he embarked for this land; for that he thought to hold his court at Winchester; but he was weather-bound until Easter-eve, when he first landed at Arundel; and for this reason held his court at Windsor.And thereafter with a great army he went into Wales, and quickly penetrated that land with his forces, through some of the Welsh who were come to him, and were his guides; and he remained in that country from midsummer nearly until August, and suffered much loss there in men and in horses, and also in many other things.The Welshmen, after they had revolted from the king, chose them many elders from themselves; one of whom was called Cadwgan, (124) who was the worthiest of them, being brother's son to King Griffin.And when the king saw that he could do nothing in furtherance of his will, he returned again into this land; and soon after that he let his men build castles on the borders.Then upon the feast of St.Michael, the fourth day before the nones of October, (125) appeared an uncommon star, shining in the evening, and soon hastening to set.It (126) was seen south-west, and the ray that stood off from it was thought very long, shining south-east.And it appeared on this wise nearly all the week.Many men supposed that it was a comet.Soon after this Archbishop Anselm of Canterbury obtained leave (127) of the king (though it was contrary to the wishes of the king, as men supposed), and went over sea; because he thought that men in this country did little according to right and after his instruction.And the king thereafter upon St.Martin's mass went over sea into Normandy; but whilst he was waiting for fair weather, his court in the county where they lay, did the most harm that ever court or army could do in a friendly and peaceable land.This was in all things a very heavy-timed year, and beyond measure laborious from badness of weather, both when men attempted to till the land, and afterwards to gather the fruits of their tilth; and from unjust contributions they never rested.Many counties also that were confined to London by work, were grievously oppressed on account of the wall that they were building about the tower, and the bridge that was nearly all afloat, and the work of the king's hall that they were building at Westminster; and many men perished thereby.Also in this same year soon after Michaelmas went Edgar Etheling with an army through the king's assistance into Scotland, and with hard fighting won that land, and drove out the King Dufnal; and his nephew Edgar, who was son of King Malcolm and of Margaret the queen, he there appointed king in fealty to the King William; and afterwards again returned to England.

A.D.1098.In this year at Christmas was the King William in Normandy; and Walkelin, Bishop of Winchester, and Baldwin, Abbot of St.Edmund's, within this tide (128) both departed.And in this year also died Turold, Abbot of Peterborough.In the summer of this year also, at Finchamstead in Berkshire, a pool welled with blood, as many true men said that should see it.And Earl Hugh was slain in Anglesey by foreign pirates, (129) and his brother Robert was his heir, as he had settled it before with the king.Before Michaelmas the heaven was of such an hue, as if it were burning, nearly all the night.This was a very troublesome year through manifold impositions; and from the abundant rains, that ceased not all the year, nearly all the tilth in the marsh-lands perished.

A.D.1099.This year was the King William at midwinter in Normandy, and at Easter came hither to land, and at Pentecost held his court the first time in his new building at Westminster; and there he gave the bishopric of Durham to Ranulf his chaplain, who had long directed and governed his councils over all England.And soon after this he went over sea, and drove the Earl Elias out of Maine, which he reduced under his power, and so by Michaelmas returned to this land.This year also, on the festival of St.Martin, the sea-flood sprung up to such a height, and did so much harm, as no man remembered that it ever did before.And this was the first day of the new moon.And Osmond, Bishop of Salisbury, died in Advent.

A.D.1100.In this year the King William held his court at Christmas in Glocester, and at Easter in Winchester, and at Pentecost in Westminster.And at Pentecost was seen in Berkshire at a certain town blood to well from the earth; as many said that should see it.And thereafter on the morning after Lammas day was the King William shot in hunting, by an arrow from his own men, and afterwards brought to Winchester, and buried in the cathedral.(130) This was in the thirteenth year after that he assumed the government.He was very harsh and severe over his land and his men, and with all his neighbours; and very formidable; and through the counsels of evil men, that to him were always agreeable, and through his own avarice, he was ever tiring this nation with an army, and with unjust contributions.For in his days all right fell to the ground, and every wrong rose up before God and before the world.God's church he humbled; and all the bishoprics and abbacies, whose elders fell in his days, he either sold in fee, or held in his own hands, and let for a certain sum; because he would be the heir of every man, both of the clergy and laity; so that on the day that he fell he had in his own hand the archbishopric of Canterbury, with the bishopric of Winchester, and that of Salisbury, and eleven abbacies, all let for a sum; and (though I may be tedious) all that was loathsome to God and righteous men, all that was customary in this land in his time.And for this he was loathed by nearly all his people, and odious to God, as his end testified:—for he departed in the midst of his unrighteousness, without any power of repentance or recompense for his deeds.On the Thursday he was slain; and in the morning afterwards buried; and after he was buried, the statesmen that were then nigh at hand, chose his brother Henry to king.And he immediately (131) gave the bishopric of Winchester to William Giffard; and afterwards went to London; and on the Sunday following, before the altar at Westminster, he promised God and all the people, to annul all the unrighteous acts that took place in his brother's time, and to maintain the best laws that were valid in any king's day before him.And after this the Bishop of London, Maurice, consecrated him king; and all in this land submitted to him, and swore oaths, and became his men.And the king, soon after this, by the advice of those that were about him, allowed men to take the Bishop Ranulf of Durham, and bring him into the Tower of London, and hold him there.Then, before Michaelmas, came the Archbishop Anselm of Canterbury hither to this land; as the King Henry, by the advice of his ministers had sent after him, because he had gone out of this land for the great wrongs that the King William did unto him.And soon hereafter the king took him to wife Maud, daughter of Malcolm, King of Scotland, and of Margaret the good queen, the relative of King Edward, and of the right royal (132) race of England.And on Martinmas day she was publicly given to him with much pomp at Westminster, and the Archbishop Anselm wedded her to him, and afterwards consecrated her queen.And the Archbishop Thomas of York soon hereafter died.During the harvest of this same year also came the Earl Robert home into Normandy, and the Earl Robert of Flanders, Eustace, Earl of Boulogne, from Jerusalem.And as soon as the Earl Robert came into Normandy, he was joyfully received by all his people; except those of the castles that were garrisoned with the King Henry's men.Against them he had many contests and struggles.

A.D.1101.In this year at Christmas held the King Henry his court in Westminster, and at Easter in Winchester.And soon thereafter were the chief men in this land in a conspiracy against the king; partly from their own great infidelity, and also through the Earl Robert of Normandy, who with hostility aspired to the invasion of this land.And the king afterwards sent ships out to sea, to thwart and impede his brother; but some of them in the time of need fell back, and turned from the king, and surrendered themselves to the Earl Robert.Then at midsummer went the king out to Pevensey with all his force against his brother, and there awaited him.But in the meantime came the Earl Robert up at Portsmouth twelve nights before Lammas; and the king with all his force came against him.But the chief men interceded between them, and settled the brothers on the condition, "that the king should forego all that he held by main strength in Normandy against the earl; and that all then in England should have their lands again, who had lost it before through the earl, and Earl Eustace also all his patrimony in this land; and that the Earl Robert every year should receive from England three thousand marks of silver; and particularly, that whichever of the brothers should survive the other, he should be heir of all England and also of Normandy, except the deceased left an heir by lawful wedlock."And this twelve men of the highest rank on either side then confirmed with an oath.And the earl afterwards remained in this land till after Michaelmas; and his men did much harm wherever they went, the while that the earl continued in this land.This year also the Bishop Ranulf at Candlemas burst out of the Tower of London by night, where he was in confinement, and went into Normandy; through whose contrivance and instigation mostly the Earl Robert this year sought this land with hostility.

A.D.1102.In this year at the Nativity was the King Henry at Westminster, and at Easter in Winchester.And soon thereafter arose a dissention between the king and the Earl Robert of Belesme, who held in this land the earldom of Shrewsbury, that his father, Earl Roger, had before, and much territory therewith both on this side and beyond the sea.And the king went and beset the castle at Arundel; but when he could not easily win it, he allowed men to make castles before it, and filled them with his men; and afterwards with all his army he went to Bridgenorth, and there continued until he had the castle, and deprived the Earl Robert of his land, and stripped him of all that he had in England.And the earl accordingly went over sea, and the army afterwards returned home.Then was the king thereafter by Michaelmas at Westminster; and all the principal men in this land, clerk, and laity.And the Archbishop Anselm held a synod of clergy; and there they established many canons that belong to Christianity.And many, both French and English, were there deprived of their staves and dignity, which they either obtained with injustice, or enjoyed with dishonour.And in this same year, in the week of the feast of Pentecost, there came thieves, some from Auvergne, (133) some from France, and some from Flanders, and broke into the minster of Peterborough, and therein seized much property in gold and in silver; namely, roods, and chalices, and candlesticks.

A.D.1103.In this year, at midwinter, was the King Henry at Westminster.And soon afterwards departed the Bishop William Giffard out of this land; because he would not against right accept his hood at the hands of the Archbishop Gerard of York.And then at Easter held the king his court at Winchester, and afterwards went the Archbishop Anselm from Canterbury to Rome, as was agreed between him and the king.This year also came the Earl Robert of Normandy to speak with the king in this land; and ere he departed hence he forgave the King Henry the three thousand marks that he was bound by treaty to give him each year.In this year also at Hamstead in Berkshire was seen blood [to rise] from the earth.This was a very calamitous year in this land, through manifold impositions, and through murrain of cattle, and deficiency of produce, not only in corn, but in every kind of fruit.Also in the morning, upon the mass day of St.Laurence, the wind did so much harm here on land to all fruits, as no man remembered that ever any did before.In this same year died Matthias, Abbot of Peterborough, who lived no longer than one year after he was abbot.After Michaelmas, on the twelfth day before the calends of November, he was in full procession received as abbot; and on the same day of the next year he was dead at Glocester, and there buried.

A.D.1104.In this year at Christmas held the King Henry his court at Westminster, and at Easter in Winchester, and at Pentecost again at Westminster.This year was the first day of Pentecost on the nones of June; and on the Tuesday following were seen four circles at mid-day about the sun, of a white hue, each described under the other as if they were measured.All that saw it wondered; for they never remembered such before.Afterwards were reconciled the Earl Robert of Normandy and Robert de Belesme, whom the King Henry had before deprived of his lands, and driven from England; and through their reconciliation the King of England and the Earl of Normandy became adversaries.And the king sent his folk over sea into Normandy; and the head-men in that land received them, and with treachery to their lord, the earl, lodged them in their castles, whence they committed many outrages on the earl in plundering and burning.This year also William, Earl of Moreton (134) went from this land into Normandy; but after he was gone he acted against the king; because the king stripped and deprived him of all that he had here in this land.It is not easy to describe the misery of this land, which it was suffering through various and manifold wrongs and impositions, that never failed nor ceased; and wheresoever the king went, there was full licence given to his company to harrow and oppress his wretched people; and in the midst thereof happened oftentimes burnings and manslaughter.All this was done to the displeasure of God, and to the vexation of this unhappy people.