1015.
This year there was a great meeting (of the Witan) at Oxford, and the Alderman Eadric betrayed Sigeferth and Morcær the chief Thanes of the seven towns,[AS]for he enticed them to his lodging, and there they were basely murdered. And the King seized all their possessions, and commanded that the widow of Sigeferth should be taken and carried to Malmesbury. And a short time afterwards Prince Edmund went thither and took her for his wife without the King’s consent. Then before the feast of the nativity of St. Mary the Prince went northward to the five towns, and he forthwith attacked the Heritage of Sigeferth and Morcær, and all the people submitted to him. And at the same time Cnut came to Sandwich, and he immediately sailed round Kent and along the coast of Wessex till he came to the mouth of the Frome, and he plundered in Dorset, Wiltshire and Somersetshire. At that time King Æthelred lay sick at Cosham. And the Alderman Edric assembled an army and Prince Edmund also raised troops inthe north, and when they joined forces the Alderman would have betrayed the Prince, but he was not able to do this, therefore they parted, and gave place to the enemy without fighting. And then the Alderman Edric drew off 40 ships from the King’s party and went over to Cnut. And the West Saxons also submitted to Cnut and gave hostages, and furnished his army with horses, and he remained there until Christmas.
1016.
This year Cnut crossed the Thames into Mercia at Cricklade with the forces of 160 ships, and the Alderman Eadric was with him. And they invaded Warwickshire at Christmas, and there they plundered and burned, and they slew all that they found. Then the Ætheling Edmund began to gather troops together, but when they were assembled they refused to serve unless the King were present, and they had also a reinforcement from the citizens of London: and thus they set aside the expedition, and every man departed to his home. After Christmas troops were again levied, under a heavy penalty, that even those who were at a distance must come forth; and a message was sent to the King at London, and he was desired to meet this Army with all the force that he could muster: but thiseffort availed not more than the many former attempts, for when they were all assembled it was told the King that some[AT]who ought to support him would betray him, on which the Army was broken up and he returned to London. Then Prince Edmund rode to Northumberland to Earl Uhtred, and all men thought that they would raise an army to oppose King Cnut; but they marched into Staffordshire, and to Shrewsbury, and to Chester, and they plundered on their side of the country, while Cnut did the same on his. For he proceeded through Buckinghamshire into Bedfordshire, and thence into Huntingdonshire, and along the fens to Stamford, and then into Lincolnshire, thence into Nottinghamshire, and then into Northumberland and towards York. And when Uhtred heard this he left off plundering and hastened northward, and he yielded to necessity and all Northumberland with him, and he gave hostages, but nevertheless he was slain and Thurcytel the son of Nafana with him. And after this Cnut appointed Yric Earl of Northumberland in like manner as Uhtred had been. And then he returned southward another way by the west; and thus the whole army came to the shipsbefore Easter. And Prince Edmund went to his father at London. And after Easter King Cnut sailed towards London with all his ships, but King Æthelred was dead before they arrived there. He died on St. George’s day, after a life of much trouble and sorrow. After his death all of the Witan who were in London and the citizens chose Edmund, for their King, and he valiantly defended his kingdom during his whole life. Then the ships came to Greenwich in Rogation week, and in a little while they proceeded to London; they dug a great ditch on the south side of the town and drew up their ships west of the bridge, and they beset the town so that none could go in or out. And they attacked the city several times, but the inhabitants withstood them resolutely.
And before this, King Edmund had gone forth, and he marched into Wessex, and all the people submitted to him, and soon after that, he fought with the Army at Pen, near Gillingham. And he fought another battle after Midsummer, at Sceorstan,[AU]and there many fell on either side, and the armies separated of their own accord.—The Alderman Eadric, and Ælmær the Beloved,were with the Danes against King Edmund.—And then he raised an army for the third time, and marched to London and rescued the inhabitants, and he drove their enemies to the ships. And within two days he crossed the river at Brentford and fought with the Army, and put it to flight, but many of the English were drowned through their own heedlessness, because they had hastened before the main body, being greedy of plunder. And after this the King went into Wessex and assembled troops, and the Army marched to London and encamped round about the town, and they attacked it vigorously by water and by land, but Almighty God delivered it; and they navigated their ships from London into the Arwan (the Arrow), and they landed and went up into Mercia, slaying and plundering all before them as was their wont, and they supplied themselves with provisions and conveyed their ships and cattle to the Medway. Then King Edmund assembled all the English people for the fourth time, and crossed the Thames at Brentford and marched into Kent, and the Danes fled before him with their horses into Sheppey, and the King slew all whom he could overtake; and at Aylesford the Alderman Eadric turned the King from the pursuit: more treacherous advicethan this never was given. The Army went up again into Essex, and thence into Mercia, destroying all things wherever they came. And when the King knew that they were on their march, he assembled all the English troops for the fifth time, and followed after them, and he came up with them in Essex, at the place called Assandun,[AV]and there they fought furiously.—But the Alderman Eadric acted as he had often done before; he was the first to take to flight with the Magesætas (men of Radnorshire), and thus he betrayed his natural Lord and all the people. There Cnut gained the victory, though all England fought against him. And Eadnoth[AW]and the Abbot Wulsige were slain there, and the Alderman Ælfric, and the Alderman Godwin, and Ulfcytel of East Anglia, and Æthelward the son of the Alderman Æthelsig, and all the prime of the English nobility. After this battle King Cnut marched his army into Gloucestershire, having heard that King Edmund was in that quarter. Then the Alderman Eadric and those of the Witan who were there, advised that the Kings should make peace between themselves,and the Kings met at Olan-ige (Alney), and there they confirmed their alliance by pledges and oaths; and they agreed upon the tribute for the Army. And when this treaty was concluded they separated; King Edmund going into Wessex, and Cnut into Mercia. The Army returned to their ships with the spoil which they had gained, and the men of London treated with them, and bought peace, and the Danes brought their ships into London, and there they took up their winter quarters. Then on St. Andrew’s day, King Edmund died, and he was buried with his grandfather Edgar at Glastonbury. And the same year Wulfgar Abbot of Abingdon died, and he was succeeded by Æthelsige.
1017.
This year[AX]King Cnut took to himself the whole kingdom of England, and he divided it into four parts, reserving to himself the government of Wessex, and committing East Anglia to Thurcyll, Mercia to Eadric, and Northumberland to Yric. This year the Alderman Eadric was slain, and Northman also the son of the Alderman Leofwin, and Æthelword the son of Æthelmær the Great, and Brihtric the son ofÆlfget of Devonshire. And King Cnut banished Ædwig the Ætheling, and Eadwig the King of the Peasants. Then before the calends of August he sent for the widow of the late King Æthelred, the daughter of Richard, to be his Queen.
1018.
This year a tribute was levied throughout England; it amounted in all to seventy-two thousand pounds, besides that paid by the citizens of London, which was eleven thousand pounds. Then a part of the Army returned to Denmark; but forty ships remained with King Cnut; and the Danes and English came to an agreement[AY]at Oxford. And this year Æthelsige Abbot of Abingdon died, and Æthelwine succeeded him.
1019.
This year King Cnut went to Denmark, and remained there all the winter.
1020.
This year King Cnut returned to England; and during Easter a great meeting was held at Cirencester, at which the Alderman Æthelword was outlawed. And this year the King went toAssandun, and caused a Minster[AZ]to be built of stone and lime, for the souls of those who were slain there, and he gave it to one of his priests whose name was Stigand. And Archbishop Living died, and Æthelnoth a monk and Deacon of Christ Church was consecrated Bishop of that diocese the same year by Archbishop Wulstan.
1021.
This year at Martinmas King Cnut outlawed Earl Thurkil.
1022.
This year King Cnut sailed with his ships to Wight. And Bishop Ælhelnoth journeyed to Rome, and was very honourably received by Pope Benedict, who put on his pall with his own hands, and consecrated him Archbishop with much pomp. And he performed mass clad in the same pall, even as the Pope desired; and after this he banqueted with the Pope: and at length he returned home with a full blessing.—And the Abbot Leofwin, who had been unjustly banished from Ely, was his companion, and he cleared himself of all that had been alledged against him, in the presence of the Archbishopand of all the company that was with him, as the Pope instructed him.
1023.
This year Archbishop Wulfstan died. Ælfric succeeded him, and Archbishop Ægelnoth consecrated him at Canterbury. And the same year Archbishop Ægelnoth brought the relics of the Archbishop St. Ælfeg from London to Canterbury.
1024.
“This year Richard 2d died: then his son Richard reigned nearly one year, and after him his brother Robert eight years.”
1025.
This year King Cnut sailed to Denmark, and thence to an island near the river Helga,[BA]and there Ulf and Eglaf came against him with a great fleet and army from Sweden. And very many fell on the side of King Cnut, both Danes and English, and the Swedes remained in possession of the field of battle.
1028.
This year King Cnut sailed from England to Norway with fifty ships of English Thanes, and he expelled King Olaf and took possession of that land.
1029.
This year King Cnut returned home to England.
1030.
This year King Olaf returned to Norway, and the people rose against him, and fought with him, and he was slain.
1031.
This year as soon as King Cnut came to England, he granted to Christ’s Church, in Canterbury, the harbour of Sandwich with all the profits therefrom arising, on either side of the haven, to this distance, namely, that when the tide runs highest and is fully in, and a ship can ride as near the shore as possible, a man should stand in the ship holding a small axe in his hand, “and as far as he could throw this axe on shore, so far should their rights extend.” This year King Cnut journeyed to Rome, and the same year after his return he went into Scotland, and the Scotch King Malcolm, with two other Kings, Mælbæthe and Iehmarc, submitted to him. And Robert Earl of Normandy went to Jerusalem and died there, and he was succeeded in Normandy by William then a child, who was afterwards King of England.
1032.
This year there were terrible lightnings, suchas men remembered not before, and which caused much damage in various places throughout the country. And the same year Ælfsige Bishop of Winchester died, and the King’s priest Ælfwine received that bishoprick.
1033.
This year Merehwit Bishop of Somerset died, and he is buried at Glastonbury.
1034.
This year died Bishop Ætheric.
1036.
This year King Cnut died at Shaftesbury, and he is buried in the old monastery of Winchester. He was King over all England nearly 20 years; and soon after his death a meeting of all the Witan was held at Oxford, and Earl Leofric, and almost all the Thanes north of the Thames, and the seamen of London, chose Harold to govern all England, both in his own right, and for his brother Hardacnut, who was then in Denmark. And Earl Godwin and all the chief men of Wessex opposed them as long as they could; but they could not prevail against them. Then it was resolved that Ælfgiva the mother of Hardacnut should reside at Winchester, with the King her son’s household, and should hold the government of Wessex for him. Earl Godwin was the head man of that party. Some men sayof Harold that he was the son of King Cnut and of Ælfgiva the daughter of the Alderman Ælfelm; but this is thought very unlikely by many. Be this as it may, he was sole King of all England.
1037.
This year Ælfgiva the widow of King Cnut and mother of Edward and King Hardacnut, was banished, and she sought an asylum with Baldwin oversea in the south, and he gave her a residence in Bruges, and he protected and maintained her as long as she was there.
1038.
This year Archbishop Æthelnoth died on the calends of November; and within a short time Æthelric Bishop of Sussex died also; and then before Christmas Brihteh Bishop of Worcestershire; and very soon after that Ælfric Bishop of East Anglia. Then Bishop[BB]Eadsige succeeded to the Archbishoprick; Grymcytel received the Bishoprick of Sussex; and Living that of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
1039.
This year King Harold died at Oxford on the 16th of the calends of April, and he was buriedat Westminster: he governed England four years and sixteen weeks, and in his reign a tax was raised for (keeping up a fleet of) 16 ships, at the rate of eight marks to every sailor, even as it had been in the days of King Cnut. And the same year King Hardacnut arrived at Sandwich seven days before Midsummer, and he was forthwith received as King by the English and by the Danes: but those who promoted his accession paid dearly for it afterwards. Then they determined upon raising a tax to keep up a fleet of 62 ships, at the rate of eight marks for every sailor. And the same year the sæster of wheat sold for 55 pennies and even more.
1040.
This year Archbishop Eadsige journeyed to Rome, and this year the army-tribute was paid; it was twenty-one thousand and ninety-nine pounds: and eleven thousand and forty-eight pounds were afterwards paid for 32 ships. And the same year Edward the son of King Æthelred came hither from abroad;[BC]he was a brother of King Hardacnut, for they both were sons of Ælfgiva Emma the daughter of Earl Richard.
1041.
This year King Hardacnut died at Lambethon the 6th of the ides of June. He was King over all England two years all but ten days, and he was buried with his father King Cnut in the old monastery at Winchester; and his mother gave the head of the martyr Saint Valentine for his soul’s sake to the new monastery. And before he was buried all the people chose Edward King in London, and he held the kingdom as long as God permitted him. And all this year was a very heavy time in many different ways, from the inclemency of the weather, and from the destruction of the fruits of the earth. So many of the cattle also perished this year both from disease, and from the ill season, as had never before been remembered. At this time Ælfsige Abbot of Peterborough died, and the monk Arnwi was chosen in his place, because he was a good man, and one of a singular simplicity.
1042.
On Easter-day, this year, Edward was consecrated King with great worship at Winchester. Easter then fell on the 3d of the nones of April. The Archbishop Eadsige consecrated him, and instructed him well before all the people, and admonished him for his own good and that of the nation. And the Priest Stigand was consecrated Bishop of East Anglia. And soon afterwardsthe King gave command to over-ride the lands which his mother held of him, and he took from her all that she possessed in gold and silver, and treasures innumerable, because she had not been liberal towards him.
1043.
This year Eadsige gave up his Archbishoprick, because of his infirmities, and he consecrated thereto Siward Abbot of Abingdon, with the consent and advice of the King and of Earl Godwin. This transaction was disclosed to few before it was completed, because the Archbishop thought that if it became known to many, some other man in whom he trusted and confided less, would beg or buy the preferment. And this year there was a very great famine over all England, and corn was so dear as was never before remembered, so that a sæster of wheat sold for 60 pennies, and even more. And the same year the King went out to Sandwich with a fleet of 35 ships. And the Churchwarden Æthelstan was made Abbot of Abingdon. And Stigand entered upon his Bishoprick.
It was in this year (1043) that Edward took for his Queen the daughter of Earl Godwin.—The same year died Brihtwold; he had held his Bishoprick, that of Sherbourne, 38 years, andthe King’s Priest Hereman succeeded him. And this year Wulfric was chosen Abbot of Saint Augustine’s (Canterbury) at Christmas time, on St. Stephen’s day, with the consent of the King and of the Abbot Ælfstan, because of the great infirmities of the latter.
1044.
This year Living Bishop of Devonshire died, and the King’s Priest Leofric succeeded him.—And this year Ælfstan Abbot of St. Augustine’s died on the 3d of the nones of July. And the same year Osgot Clapa was banished.
1045.
This year Grymkytel Bishop of Sussex died, and Heca the King’s Priest succeeded him.—And this year Ælfwine Bishop of Winchester died on the 4th of the calends of September, and Bishop Stigand was translated from the north to that see. And the same year Earl Swegn went out to Bruges in the land of Baldwin, and he abode there all the winter, and departed thence in the summer.
1046.
This year Æthelstan Abbot of Abingdon died, and Spearhafoc, a monk of St. Edmund’s Bury, succeeded him. And this year Bishop Siward died, and Archbishop Eadsige resumed the wholediocese. And the same year Lothen and Yrling came to Sandwich with 25 ships, and they plundered, and collected spoils innumerable, seizing men, gold and silver, so that no man knew what the whole amount was. And they sailed round about Thanet, and would have done the same there, but the inhabitants made a stout resistance, and kept them from landing and from entering the river, and wholly put them to flight; and then they came upon Essex, and there they plundered, and carried off men and whatever they could find; and thence they bent their course eastward to the land of Baldwin, and they sold their booty there, and then they returned to the east whence they came.
“Battle of Val des Dunes.”[BD]
In this year (1046) the great synod was held at St. Remy, at which the Pope Leo was present, with the Archbishop of Burgundy, the Archbishop of Besançon, the Archbishop of Treves, and the Archbishop of Rheims, and many other wise men besides, both clergy and laity: and King Edward sent Bishop Dudocthither with Wulfric Abbot of St. Augustine’s, and the Abbot Ælfwine, to the end that they might report to him what was there determined upon with regard to the Christian religion.
The same year King Edward went out to Sandwich with a large fleet, and Earl Swegn came with seven ships to Boseham, and treated with the King, and it was promised him that he should be put in possession of all that he had before; then his brother Earl Harold and Earl Beorn interfered, and prevented his enjoying the King’s grant, and four days were allowed for his return to the ships. In the mean while word was brought to the King that an hostile fleet lay off the west, and was plundering. Then Earl Godwin sailed westward with two of the King’s ships, one of which was commanded by Earl Harold, and the other by his brother Tostig, and with 42 of the ships furnished by the people.—Then Earl Harold was removed from the king’s ship which he had commanded, and they sailed as far as Pevensey, and lay there weather-bound. And within two days Earl Swegn came thither and spake with his father and with Earl Beorn, who was then with Godwin; and he entreated Beorn that he would go with him to the King at Sandwich, and assist him in obtaining the King’s favour: and Beorn consented to this, andthey departed as if they would go to the King. But, as they rode along, Swegn begged him to go with him to his ships, for he feared that his sailors would desert unless he returned speedily: and they both proceeded to the place where the ships lay at anchor, and when they came thither Earl Swegn desired Beorn to go on board with him; this he wholly refused, until the sailors seized him, and threw him into a boat, and bound him, and rowed to the ships, and put him in one of them. Then they hoisted sail, and proceeded westward to Exmouth; and they kept him with them until they slew him, and they took his body and buried it in a church. His friends and the seamen of London afterwards came and took it up again, and carried it to the old monastery at Winchester, and there he is buried beside his uncle King Cnut. And Swegn went away eastward to the land of Baldwin, with whose full leave he abode at Bruges during the whole winter. And the same year died Eadnoth Bishop in the north,[BE]and Ulf was appointed his successor.
1047.
This year a great council was held at London in the middle of Lent, and nine of the ships belongingto the seamen were sent out, and five were left there. And the same year Earl Swegn came to England. And a great synod was assembled at Rome this year, and King Edward sent thither the Bishops Hereman and Ealdred, and they arrived on Easter eve. And after this the Pope held a synod at Vercelli; and Bishop Ulf came there, and his staff would have been broken, if he had not given large sums of money; for he did not know his office so well as he ought. This year Archbishop Eadsige died on the 4th of the calends of November.
1048.
This year, during Lent, King Edward being in London, nominated Robert Archbishop of Canterbury. And the same Lent he went to Rome for his pall. And the King gave the Bishoprick of London to Sparhafoc Abbot of Abingdon, and the Abbacy of Abingdon to his kinsman Bishop Rothulf. The Archbishop returned from Rome one day before the eve of the feast of St. Peter, and he was installed in Christ Church on St. Peter’s day, and immediately afterwards he proceeded to the King. Then the Abbot Sparhafoc came to him with the King’s letters and seal, to the intent that he should consecrate him Bishop of London. But the Archbishoprefused, and said that the Pope had forbidden it: the Abbot endeavoured to persuade the Archbishop, and he earnestly desired the promotion, but the other constantly denied him, still saying that the Pope had forbidden it. The Abbot notwithstanding returned to London, and resided there in the diocese which the King had granted him all the summer and autumn, and this with his full permission. And Eustace arrived from beyond sea soon after the Archbishop, and he proceeded to the King and spoke with him all that he would, and then he journeyed homeward. When they had gone as far east as Canterbury he and his men rested to eat, and thence they went on to Dover. And when he was a mile or more from Dover he put on his breast-plate, and so did all his followers; and they came to Dover. And when they were there, they would fix on their quarters according to their own pleasure, and one of his men came, and would have lodged in the house of a certain person against his will, and he wounded the master of the house, but the householder slew him. Then Eustace mounted his horse, and his followers theirs, and they fell upon and slew the householder on his own hearth. And thence they went towards the town, and they killed within and withoutmore than twenty men. And on the other hand the townsmen slew nineteen of Eustace’s train, and wounded they knew not how many. And Eustace got off with a few others, and returned again to the King, and related partially what had occurred. And the King was very angry with the townsmen, and he sent Earl Godwin, commanding him to march into Kent, and to take vengeance upon Dover; for Eustace had told the King that the townsmen were more in fault than himself, but it was not so, neither was the Earl consenting to this expedition, for he was unwilling to ruin his own vassals.—Then the King sent for all his Witan, and desired that they should come to him at Gloucester, soon after St. Mary’s day. At this time the Welch had built a castle in Herefordshire, in the territory of Earl Swegn, and they did all manner of despite and injury to the King’s subjects in the neighbourhood. Then Earl Godwin, and the Earls Swegn and Harold, and many with them, met at Beverston, that they might proceed to their liege Lord and his Witan then assembled, and that they might obtain their advice and aid for avenging this insult offered to the King and all his people. But the Welch were with the King beforehand, and accused the Earls,so that they were not admitted into his presence, because the others had said, that they were coming with treasonous designs against the King. Earl Siward and Earl Leofric and a great number of men from the north had joined the King, and it was told Earl Godwin and his sons that the King and those who were with him, were about to attack them, on which they fortified themselves strongly, albeit they were loth to act against their natural Lord. Then the Witan on either side advised that they should abstain from hostilities, and the King gave the peace of God and his own full friendship to both parties.—Then the King and his Counsellors determined that another meeting of all the Witan should be held at London, at the autumnal equinox: and the King commanded that an army, as powerful as might be, should be raised both from the south and from the north of the Thames. Earl Swegn was declared an outlaw, and Earl Godwin and Earl Harold were summoned to be at the meeting with as much speed as they could make. When they were come thither, they were called before the Council, and they desired hostages and security that they might go in and out of the Council safe from treachery; and the King demanded all the Thanes whom the Earls had with them, andthey delivered them all into his hands. Then the King sent to them again, and desired that they should come into the Council with twelve attendants, but the Earl again desired security and hostages, that so he might clear himself from every charge which had been brought against him; but these hostages were finally denied him, and five days were allowed him, in which he was to depart from the country. Then Earl Godwin and Earl Swegn went to Boseham, and they put to sea, and sought shelter with Baldwin, and they abode in his land the whole winter. And Earl Harold sailed westward to Ireland, and remained there through the winter, under the protection of the king of that country. And as soon as all this had happened, the King sent away the Lady, who had been consecrated as his Queen; and he caused all that she possessed of gold, and of silver, and of every other thing, to be taken from her; and he put her under the charge of his sister at Wherwell (in Hampshire). And the Abbot Sparhafoc was driven from the Bishoprick of London, and the King’s Priest William was consecrated thereto. And Odda was appointed Earl of Devon, Somerset, and Dorset, and of Wales; and the Earldom which Harold had enjoyed was given to Ælfgar the son of Leofric.
1052.
This year died Ælfgiva Ymma the mother of King Edward and of King Hardacnut. And the same year the King and his Witan resolved that a fleet should be assembled at Sandwich, and they appointed the Earls Raulf and Odda to command it. Then Earl Godwin went with his ships from Bruges to Ysera (the Ysere?), and thence after one day’s voyage he arrived at the Ness south of Romney on Midsummer’s eve.—The Earls who were stationed at Sandwich were informed of his arrival, and they sailed in pursuit of him, and a land army was also called out to oppose him. But in the mean time Earl Godwin was warned of their intentions, and he put into Pevensey, and the weather was very stormy, so that the Earls could not find out whither he was gone; and Earl Godwin sailed out again and went back to Bruges, and the other ships returned to Sandwich. Then it was advised that the fleet should be brought back to London, and that other Earls and officers should be appointed, but they delayed so long that all the ships separated and returned home. When Earl Godwin heard this, he set sail and hastened westward to Wight, and there they landed and plundered until the inhabitants gave them as much money asthey chose to exact. And thence they proceeded westward, till they came to Portland, and there they landed, and did all the mischief that they could. At this time Harold had left Ireland with nine ships, and he arrived at Porlock, and a large body of the inhabitants were collected to oppose him; nevertheless he feared not to go in quest of provisions, and he landed and slew a great number of these people, and seized whatever fell in his way, cattle, men, and money.—And thence he proceeded eastward to join his father, and they sailed together to Wight, and there they seized whatever had been left before. Thence they sailed to Pevensey, and they took away with them as many ships as were in the harbour: thus they proceeded to the Ness, and they took with them all the ships that were at Romney, Hythe, and Folkestone; and thence they turned eastward to Dover, and there they landed, and obtained as many ships and hostages as they would; and so they proceeded to Sandwich, and they did the same there, and the people every where gave them the hostages and provisions that they demanded. And from this place they made for the North Mouth (Buoy of the Nore); and so they proceeded towards London; but some of the ships stopped at Sheppey,and did much damage there, and at King’s Milton also, and they burned that town, and then they followed the Earls to London. When they were come to London, the King and all his Earls had stationed themselves with fifty ships to oppose them. Then the Earls sent to the King, and desired that all their possessions of which they had been unjustly deprived should be restored to them: this demand the King resisted for some time, even so long, that all the people who were with the Earls became furiously enraged against him and his party; so that the Earls themselves scarcely quieted them. At length, by God’s help, and the intervention of Bishop Stigand, and wise men from the city and the country, an exchange of hostages was brought about. When Archbishop Robert and the French heard this, they took their horses and rode away, some westward to Pentecost’s Castle, and others northward to Robert’s. And Archbishop Robert and Bishop Ulf and their train rode out at the east gate, and slew or wounded many young men, and they proceeded to Ealdulf’s-ness (the Nase, Essex), and the Archbishop embarked in a mean little vessel and went away beyond sea, and he left his pall and his Archbishoprick in this land, even as Godwilled, since he had at first obtained the same in a manner that pleased not Him. Then a great Council was convened out of London, and all the Earls and the chief men of England were at this meeting: Earl Godwin there took up the word, and he protested before his Lord King Edward and the people of this land that he was guiltless of all that was charged against him, and against his son Harold, and all his children. And the King restored to the Earl and his children his full friendship, and his whole Earldom, and all that had belonged to him: and he granted the same pardon to the men who were with him: and the King gave the Lady all that she possessed before. And Archbishop Robert and all the Frenchmen were fully outlawed, because they had been the chief promoters of the difference between Earl Godwin and the King. And Bishop Stigand was translated to the Archbishoprick of Canterbury. And at this time Arnwi Abbot of Peterborough, being in sound health, gave up the Abbacy to the monk Leofric, with the consent of the King and of the monks, and he lived eight years afterwards. And the Abbot Leofric gilded the monastery, so that men called it Golden Borough; and it became very rich in lands, in gold, and in silver.
1053.
This year Earl Godwin died on the 17th of the calends of May, and he is buried in the old monastery of Winchester. And his son Earl Harold succeeded to the Earldom, and to all that his father possessed, and Earl Ælfgar received Harold’s Earldom.
1054.
This year Leo the Holy Pope of Rome died. And this year there was a great murrain amongst the cattle, such as men remembered not for many winters before. And Victor was chosen Pope.
“Battle of Mortemer.”[BF]
1055.
This year Earl Siward died. And a meeting of all the Witan was appointed seven days before Mid-Lent. And there Earl Ælfgar was outlawed, for he was accused as a traitor to his King and all the nation, and he was convicted before the King and all who were there assembled, though the sentence grieved him sorely.—And the King gave the Earldom which Siward had held to Tostig the son of Earl Godwin.—And Earl Ælfgar went to the castle of Griffin inNorth Wales; and the same year Griffin and Ælfgar burned St. Æthelbryht’s monastery and the whole town of Hereford.
1056.
“This year Henry Emperor of the Romans died, and was succeeded by his son Henry.”
1057.
This year Prince Edward the son of King Edmund came to this land, and he died soon afterwards, and his body is buried in St. Paul’s monastery at London. And Pope Victor died, and Stephen Abbot of Monte-Cassino was chosen as his successor. And Earl Leofric died, and his son Ælfgar succeeded to his father’s Earldom.
1058.
This year Stephen died, and Benedict was consecrated Pope: the same sent hither a pall to Archbishop Stigand. And this year Heaca Bishop of the South Saxons died; and Archbishop Stigand consecrated Ægelric a monk of Christ Church to that Bishoprick, and the Abbot Siward to that of Rochester.
1059.
This year Nicholas Bishop of Florence was chosen Pope, and Benedict the former Pope was driven out.
1060.
This year Kynsige Archbishop of York died on the 11th of the calends of January, and Bishop Ealdred succeeded him: and Walter received the Bishoprick of Hereford.
“This year Henry King of France died, and was succeeded by his son Philip.”
1061.
This year Duduc Bishop of Somerset died, and was succeeded by Gisa. And this year Bishop Godwin died at St. Martin’s (Canterbury), on the 7th of the ides of March. And the same year Wulfric Abbot of St. Augustine’s died in Easter week, on the 14th of the calends of May. When word was brought to the King that the Abbot had departed this life, he chose Æthelsig a monk of the old monastery (of Winchester) to succeed him, and he repaired to Archbishop Stigand, and was consecrated Abbot at Windsor on St. Augustine’s day.
1062.
“This year the province of Maine was brought into subjection to William Earl of Normandy.”
1063.
This year Earl Harold and his brother Earl Tostig invaded Britain[BG]with an army, andfleet, and they conquered the country; and the inhabitants gave hostages and submitted to them, and afterwards they went and slew their King Griffin, and brought his head to Harold, and he set another King over them.
1064.
This year the Northumbrians assembled together, and outlawed Tostig their Earl, and they slew all his retainers whom they could meet with, both English and Danes: and they seized all his arms at York, and his gold, and his silver, and all his treasures that they could find. And they sent for Morker the son of Earl Ælfgar, and chose him for their Earl; and he marched southward with the troops of that country, and of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire, till he arrived at Northampton; and his brother Edwin joined him with the men of his Earldom, and many Britons also came with him. Then they were met by Earl Harold, and they charged him with a message to King Edward, and they also sent deputies with him, and they desired that they might have Morker for their Earl.—And the King granted this, and sent Harold again to them at Northampton on the eve of St. Simon and St. Jude’s day, and he reported the same to them, and put into their hands the King’sassent, and there he renewed the laws of Canute. And the northern men did much damage about Northampton whilst he was gone on their errand, for they slew men, and burned houses and corn, and took all the cattle they could find, being many thousand head, and many hundred men did they seize and carry off into the north; so that this county, and the others adjoining, were the worse for them during many years. And Earl Tostig and his wife, and all who were of his party, went over sea southward to Earl Baldwin, and he received them all, and they remained there the whole winter.
1066.
This year the Abbey Church of Westminster was consecrated on Childermas-day. And this year King Edward died on the eve of Twelfth-day, and he was buried on Twelfth-day, in the Church of Westminster, newly consecrated.—And Earl Harold succeeded to the kingdom, even as the King had granted it to him; men, also chose him thereto, and he was consecrated King on Twelfth-day, and reigned forty weeks and one day. And the same year that he was made King, he went out with a fleet against William; and in the mean time Earl Tostig entered the Humber with 60 ships, but Earl Edwincame up with his troops and drove him away, and the crews of his vessels also deserted him. Then he went to Scotland with twelve smacks; and Harold King of Norway joined him with 300 ships, to whom Tostig gave up the command, and they entered the Humber together, and proceeded to York: and the Earls Morker and Edwin fought with them, and the Norwegian King gained the victory. King Harold, being informed of what had passed, came with a great army of Englishmen, and he met the King of Norway at Stæng-fordes-brycge (Stanford bridge), and he slew him and the Earl Tostig, and routed their whole army.
And in the mean time Earl William landed at Hastings on Michaelmas-day, and Harold marched from the North, and fought with him before all his own army had come up, and he fell there with his two brothers, Gyrth and Leofwin. And William conquered this land, and he came to Westminster, and the Archbishop Ealdred consecrated him King, and men paid him tribute, and gave him hostages, and afterwards bought their lands again.
Leofric Abbot of Peterborough was in this campaign, and whilst he was with the army he became ill, and he returned home, and died soonafter on All Saints’ night. May God glorify his soul! In his days was all bliss and all prosperity at Peterborough, and he was beloved of all men, so that the King granted to St. Peter and to him the Abbey of Burton, and that of Coventry which his uncle Earl Leofric had founded, and also those of Croyland and Thorney. And he enriched the monastery of Burh with gold, with silver, with vestments, and with lands, more than any other before or after him. And the Golden Borough now became the borough of wretchedness. Then the monks chose the Provost Brand for their Abbot because he was a very good man, and very wise; and they sent him to Edgar Ætheling, for the people of those parts supposed that he should be the King; and the Ætheling willingly confirmed him in his office. When King William heard this he was very wroth, and said that the Abbot had treated him with contempt; but good men interfered and reconciled them, because of the excellence of the Abbot. He gave the King forty marks of gold for his favour, and he lived but a short time after, only three years. After this all tribulation and evil came upon the monastery. May God have pity on it. And this year Christ Church was burned, and a comet appeared on the 14th of the calends of May.
1067.
This year the King went over sea, and took with him hostages and treasures. And he came back the next year on St. Nicholas’ day; and on his return he restored to every man his land.—And this summer Childe Edgar and Mærleswegn, and many others with them, departed and went to Scotland, and King Malcolm received them all, and took the Childe’s sister Margaret for his wife.
1068.
This year King William gave the Earldom of Northumberland to Earl Robert, and the men of that country came against him, and slew him and 900 others with him. And then Edgar Ætheling marched with all the Northumbrians to York, and the townsmen treated with him; on which King William came from the south with all his troops, and sacked the town, and slew many hundred persons: and the Ætheling went again to Scotland.
1069.
This year Bishop Ægelric, being at Peterborough, was accused and sent to Westminster; and his brother Bishop Ægelwin was outlawed. Then between the two feasts of St. Mary, the sons of King Swegn and his brother Earl Osbearncame from Denmark with three hundred ships; on which Earl Waltheof marched forth, and he and Edgar Ætheling, and many hundreds with them, came and joined this fleet in the Humber, and they proceeded to York, and they landed and stormed the castle, and slew many hundred men, and carried much treasure to their ships: and they kept the chief men in bonds; and they wintered between the Ouse and the Trent. And King William went into those parts, and laid them all waste. And the same year Brand Abbot of Peterborough died on the 5th of the calends of December.
1070.
This year Landfranc Abbot of Caen came to England, and in a few days he was made Archbishop of Canterbury. He was consecrated at his metropolis on the 4th of the calends of September, by eight Bishops his suffragans; the rest who were absent signifying through messengers, and by writing, why they could not be there.—This year Thomas, who had been chosen as Bishop of York, came to Canterbury, that he might be consecrated there after the old form, but when Landfranc craved the confirmation of his subjection by oath, he refused, and said that he was not obliged to give it. Then was theArchbishop Landfranc wroth, and he commanded the Bishops, who were there at his behest to assist at the ceremony, and all the monks, to unrobe him; and they did as he desired: so this time Thomas returned home without a blessing. It happened soon after this, that the Archbishop Landfranc went to Rome, and Thomas with him: and when they were come thither, and had said all that they would on other subjects, Thomas began his speech, saying how he had come to Canterbury, and how the Archbishop had desired of him an oath of obedience, and that he had refused it. Then the Archbishop Landfranc began to make manifest with clear reasoning, that he had a right to demand that which he required; and he proved the same with strong arguments before the Pope Alexander, and before all the council then assembled: and thus they departed home. After this, Thomas came to Canterbury, and humbly performed all that the Archbishop required, and thereupon he received the blessing. This year Earl Waltheof made peace with the King. And during this Lent the King caused all the monasteries in England to be despoiled of their treasures. The same year King Swegn came from Denmark into the Humber, and the people of those parts came to meet him and madean alliance with him, for they believed that he would conquer this land. Then the Danish Bishop Christien, and Earl Osbearn, and their Danish retainers, came into Ely, and all the people of the fens joined them, for they believed that they would conquer the whole country.—Now the monks of Peterborough were told that some of their own men, these were Hereward and his train, would pillage the monastery, and this, because they had heard that the King had given the Abbacy to a French Abbot named Turold, and that he was a very stern man, and that he was come into Stamford with all his French followers. There was, at that time, a church-warden named Ywar; and he took all that he could by night, gospels, mass-robes, cassocks, and other garments, even all and each of such small things as he could carry away, and he came before day to the Abbot Turold, and told him that he sought his protection, and told how the outlaws were coming to Peterborough, and he said that he had done this at the desire of the monks. Then early in the morning all the outlaws came with many ships, and they endeavoured to enter the monastery, but the monks withstood them, so that they were not able to get in. Then they set fire to it, and burned all the monks’ houses,and all those in the town, save one: and they broke in through the fire at Bolhithe-geate (the Bulldyke gate), and the monks came before them and desired peace. But they gave no heed to them, and they went into the monastery, and climbed up to the holy crucifix, and took the crown from our Lord’s head, which was all of the purest gold, and they took the footstool of red gold from under his feet. And they climbed up to the steeple, and brought down the cope which was hidden there; it was all of gold and silver. They also seized two gilt shrines, and nine of silver, and they carried off fifteen great crosses of gold and silver. And they took so much gold and silver, and so much treasure in money, robes, and books, that no man can compute the amount; saying they did this because of their allegiance to the monastery: and afterwards they betook themselves to their ships and went to Ely, and there they secured their treasures. The Danes believed that they should overcome the Frenchmen, and they drove away all the monks, leaving only one named Leofwin the Long, and he lay sick in the hospital. Then came the Abbot Turold, and eight score Frenchmen with him, all well armed; and when he arrived he found all burnt both within and without, exceptingthe church itself; and all the outlaws were then embarked, knowing that he would come thither. This happened on the 4th of the nones of June. Then the two Kings, William and Swegn, made peace with each other, on which the Danes departed from Ely, carrying with them all the aforesaid treasure. When they were come into the midst of the sea, there arose a great storm, which dispersed all the ships in which the treasures were: some were driven to Norway, some to Ireland, and others to Denmark, and all the spoil that reached the latter country, being the cope and some of the shrines and crosses, and many of the other treasures, they brought to one of the King’s towns called ——, and laid it all up in the church.—But one night, through their carelessness and drunkenness the church was burned, with all that was in it. Thus was the monastery of Peterborough burned and pillaged. May Almighty God have pity on it in his great mercy: and thus the Abbot Turold came to Peterborough, and the monks returned thither and performed christian worship in the church, which had stood a full week without service of any kind. When Bishop Ægelric heard this, he excommunicated all the men who had done this evil. There wasa great famine this year; and this summer the fleet from the Humber sailed into the Thames, and lay there two nights, and it afterwards held on its course to Denmark. And Earl Baldwin died, and his son Arnulf succeeded him; and Earl William (Fitz Osbern) and the French King should have been his support: but Earl Robert came and slew his kinsman Arnulf, and the Earl; and put the King to flight, and slew many thousands of his men.
“In the second year after Lanfranc’s consecration he went to Rome. Pope Alexander so greatly honoured him, that contrary to his custom he rose to meet him, and gave him two palls in token of especial favour: Lanfranc received one of them from the altar after the Roman manner, and the Pope, with his own hands, gave him the other, in which he himself had been accustomed to perform mass. In the presence of the Pope, Thomas brought forwards a calumny touching the primacy of the see of Canterbury, and the subjection of certain Bishops. Lanfranc briefly and clearly states the conclusion to which this affair was afterwards brought in England, in an epistle to the aforesaid Pope Alexander. This year a general council was held at Winchester,in which he deposed Wulfric Abbot of the new monastery, and made many regulations touching Christian discipline. A few days afterwards, he consecrated Osbern at London as Bishop of Exeter, and Scotland at Canterbury as Abbot of St. Augustine’s.
“In his 3d year he consecrated Peter at Gloucester as Bishop of Litchfield or Chester. This year also a great council was held at a place called Pinenden (Pinnenden or Pinchenden Heath, near Maidstone), in which Lanfranc proved that he and his church held their lands and their rights by sea and by land, as freely as the King held his: excepting in three cases: to wit, if the highway be dug up; if a tree be cut so as to fall upon it; and if murder be committed and blood spilt: when a man is taken in these misdeeds, the fine paid shall belong to the King; otherwise their vassals shall be free from regal exactions.
“In his 4th year he consecrated Patrick at London as Bishop of Dublin, in Ireland, from whom he received a profession of obedience, and he moreover gave him very memorable letters to the Kings of Ireland.
“In his 5th year a general council was held at London, the proceedings of which Lanfranc committed to writing, at the request of many.
“In his 6th year he gave the bishoprick of Rochester to Hernost, a monk of Christ Church, whom he also consecrated at London. A council was held at Winchester: and the same year Hernost departed this life.
“In his 7th year, he gave the bishoprick of Rochester to Gundulf, whom he consecrated at Canterbury. This year Thomas Archbishop of York sent letters to Lanfranc, requesting that he would send two Bishops to consecrate a certain priest, who had come to him with letters from the Orkneys, to the intent that he might be made Bishop of those islands. Lanfranc consenting to this, commanded Wolstan Bishop of Worcester, and Peter Bishop of Chester, to go to York, and to assist Thomas in completing the ceremony.
“In his 8th year, a council was held at London, in which Lanfranc deposed Ailnod Abbot of Glastonbury.
“In his 11th year, a council was held at Gloucester, wherein, by the King’s order, and with the consent of Lanfranc, Thomas Archbishop of York consecrated William to the Bishoprick of Durham; and because he could not be attended by the Scotch Bishops his suffragans, the Bishops Wolstan, Osbern, Giso, and Robert assisted at this ceremony by the command of Lanfranc.—Atthis time Lanfranc sent letters rich in sacred lore to Bishop Donald in Ireland.
“In his 16th year Lanfranc consecrated Donatus, his monk at Canterbury, to the bishoprick of Dublin, by the desire of the King, clergy, and people of Ireland. This year a council was held at Gloucester, wherein Lanfranc deposed Wulstcetel Abbot of Croyland. He consecrated Robert to the bishoprick of Chester, and William to that of Elmham, in one day, at Canterbury. At Winchester also he consecrated Maurice as Bishop of London, who brought noble gifts to his mother church of Canterbury a few days afterwards.
“In the 18th year of Lanfranc’s prelacy, on the death of King William beyond sea, he acknowledged his son William, as he had done his father, and consecrated and crowned him in St. Peter’s Church, which is in the western part of London. The same year, and at his metropolitan city of Canterbury, he examined and consecrated Godfrey as Bishop of Chichester, Wido also as Abbot of St. Augustine’s and John as Bishop of Wells. The next day Lanfranc, on his own authority, and taking with him Odo Bishop of Baieux the King’s brother, who was then at Canterbury, conducted the Abbot Widoto St. Augustine’s and commanded the Brothers of the Order to receive him as their own Abbot and Pastor; but they, with one accord, answered that they would neither submit to him nor receive him. Thus Lanfranc came leading the Abbot, and when he found that the Monks were obstinate in resistance, and that they would not obey him, he commanded that all the refractory should come out one by one. When therefore nearly all had left the monastery, Lanfranc and his suite led in the Abbot with much pomp, placed him in the chair, and delivered the church up to him. He also seized the Prior, Elfrin by name, and as many others as he thought fit, and he put them forthwith into claustral imprisonment at Canterbury; but he sent those who had the greatest influence, and were the authors of this scandal, to the castle to be confined there. After he had returned home having finished all, he was informed that the monks who had left the monastery were assembled, near St. Mildred’s church. Hereupon he sent to them, saying, that if they would, they might return to the church before the 9th hour, but that if they delayed longer, they would not be allowed free entrance, but be treated as renegadoes. Having heard this message they doubted whether to return or to remain, butat the hour of refection, when they became anhungered, many repenting of their obstinacy sent to Lanfranc and promised submission. These he treated with lenity, and desired that they should return directly and confirm by oath their profession of obedience to the aforesaid Abbot. Thus they returned and swore faithfulness and obedience to the Abbot Wido, upon the relics of St. Augustine. Lanfranc seized those who remained behind and placed them in various monasteries of England, confining them till he brought them to profess their submission. About the same time he seized one of them named Ælfred, who had attempted to flee, and confined him loaded with irons at Canterbury, together with some of his fellows: and he exercised upon them the utmost severity of their order. But when these monks were thought to be sufficiently humbled and had promised amendment, Lanfranc taking pity on them, had them brought from the several places whither he had banished them, and reconciled them to their Abbot.
“The same year the dissentions were renewed, and the monks plotted the death of their Abbot, but one of them, named Columban, being taken, Lanfranc caused him to be brought to him.And as he stood there before him, Lanfranc asked if he desired to murder his Abbot. And the monk forthwith replied “Yes! if I could I would certainly kill him.” Then Lanfranc commanded that he should be tied up naked by the gates of St. Augustine’s and suffer flagellation before all the people, that his cowl should then be torn off, and that he should be driven out of the city. This order was executed, and thenceforth during Lanfranc’s life, sedition was repressed by the dread of his severity.
“In the 19th year of his prelacy, died the venerable Archbishop Lanfranc, and he was buried at his metropolitan see of Canterbury, of which he had been possessed eighteen years, nine months, and two days. His deeds, his buildings, alms, and labours, are only in part recounted in the writing which is read on his anniversary, for they were very numerous. After his death the monks of St. Augustine’s, openly rebelling against their aforesaid Abbot Wido, stirred up the citizens of Canterbury, who, with an armed force, attempted to slay him in his house. But his family made resistance, and when many had been wounded, and some killed on both sides, the Abbot with much difficulty escaped unhurt from amongst them, and fled for refuge to themother church of Canterbury (Christ Church). On the report of this disturbance Walkelm Bishop of Winchester, and Gundulf Bishop of Rochester, suffragans to the see of Canterbury, with some noblemen sent by the King, hastened to Canterbury, that they might take vengeance on the delinquents; and when they had enquired into the causes of the sedition and had found the monks unable to clear themselves, they condemned them to suffer public punishment because they had transgressed openly. But the prior and monks of Christ Church, moved with piety, pleaded against this sentence, lest, if they were to receive their discipline before all the people, they should henceforth be accounted infamous, and so their profession and office come to be despised. Wherefore it was granted on their intercession, that the punishment should take place in the church, into which the populace should not be admitted, but those only who were appointed to see it executed. And two monks of Christ Church, Wido and Norman, were called in, and they inflicted the punishment at the command of the Bishops. Then the rebellious monks were dispersed into various monasteries of England; and 24 monks of Christ Church were substituted in their place,together with the prior, named Anthony, who had been sub-prior at Christ Church. The townsmen who entered the Abbot’s hall in arms were seized, and those who were convicted of having struck him lost their eyes.
“After the death of Lanfranc the see remained vacant four years, nine months, and nine days, during which time it suffered much adversity. At length, in the year of our Lord’s incarnation 1093 and on the 2d of the nones of March, the Archbishoprick of Canterbury was given to Anselm Abbot of Bec, a good and an upright man, of great learning, and amongst the most noted of his time. He came to Canterbury on the 7th of the calends of October, his earlier arrival having been prevented by many sufficient causes, and he was consecrated on the 2d of the nones of December.”
1071.
This year Earl Ædwin and Earl Morker withdrew themselves and wandered through the woods and fields. Then Earl Morker took ship and went to Ely; and Earl Ædwin was slain treacherously by his own men: and Bishop Egelwin, and Siward Bearn, and many hundreds with them, came into Ely. And when King William heard this, he called out a fleet andarmy; and he surrounded that land, and he made a bridge and entered in, his fleet lying off the coast. Then all the outlaws surrendered; these were, Bishop Egelwin and Earl Morker, and all who were with them, excepting only Hereward, and his followers whom he led off with great valour. And the King seized their ships, and arms, and much treasure; and he disposed of the men as he would; and he sent Bishop Egelwin to Abingdon, where he died early in the winter.
1072.
This year King William led an army and a fleet against Scotland, and he stationed the ships along the coast and crossed the Tweed with his army; but he found nothing to reward his pains. And King Malcolm came and treated with King William, and delivered hostages, and became his liege-man; and King William returned home with his forces. And Bishop Egelric died; he had been consecrated to the Archbishoprick of York, of which he was unjustly deprived, and the see of Durham was given to him; this he held as long as he would, and then resigned it and went to the monastery of Peterborough, and there he spent 12 years. Then after King William had conquered England, he removed Egelric from Peterborough, and sent him to Westminster, andhe died on the ides of October, and he is buried in the Abbey, in the aisle of St. Nicholas.
1073.
This year King William carried an army of English and French over sea, and conquered the province of Maine: and the English did great damage, for they destroyed the vineyards and burned the towns, and they laid waste that province, the whole of which submitted to William; and they afterwards returned home again.
1074.
This year King William went over sea to Normandy; and Childe Edgar came thither from Scotland, and the King received him and all his men into the protection of the law, and he remained at Court, enjoying such privileges as the King granted him.
1075.
This year King William gave the daughter of William Osbearn’s son in marriage to Earl Ralph: the said Ralph was a Welchman on his mother’s side, and his father was an Englishman named Ralph, who was born in Norfolk. Then the King gave the Earldom of Norfolk and Suffolk to his son, who brought his wife to Norwich, but there the bridal feast was the bane of all: for Earl Roger and Earl Waltheof were there, andBishops and Abbots, and they took counsel to depose the King of England. And this was soon reported to the King then in Normandy, and it was told him withal that Earl Roger and Earl Ralph were the heads of the conspiracy, and that they had brought over the Welch to their side, and had sent eastward to Denmark for a fleet to assist them. And Earl Roger departed to his earldom in the west, and gathered his people together in rebellion against the King, but he was checked in his attempt. And Earl Ralph also being in his earldom would have marched forth with his people; but the garrisons of the castles of England, and the inhabitants of the country came against him, and prevented his effecting any thing, on which he took ship at Norwich: and his wife remained in the castle, and held it till she had obtained terms, and then she departed from England with all her adherents. And after this the King came to England, and he took his kinsman Earl Roger and put him in prison; he also seized Earl Waltheof. And soon afterwards 200 ships arrived from Denmark, commanded by two chieftains, Cnut the son of Swegn, and Earl Hacon, but they durst not risk a battle with King William, and they bore away for Flanders. And the lady Eadgithdied at Winchester seven nights before Christmas, and the King caused her to be brought to Westminster with great pomp, and to be laid by her Lord King Edward. And the King was at Westminster during Christmas, and there all the Welchmen who had been at the bridal feast at Norwich were brought to justice; some were blinded, and others banished. Thus were put down the traitors to William.
1076.
This year Swægn King of Denmark died, and Harold his son succeeded to the kingdom. And the King gave Westminster to Vithele, who had before been Abbot of Bernay. Earl Waltheof was beheaded at Winchester, and his body was carried to Croyland. And the King went over sea and led his army into Britanny, and besieged the castle of Dol, and the Bretons defended it till the King of France came up, and then William departed, having lost both men and horses and much treasure.
1077.
This year a peace was made between the King of France and William King of England, and it lasted but a little while. And this year, one night before the Assumption of St. Mary, there was a more dreadful fire in London than had ever happened since the town was built. Andthis year Ægelwig Abbot of Evesham died on the 14th of the calends of March. Bishop Hereman died also on the 10th of the calends of March.
1079.
This year, between the two feasts of St. Mary, King Malcolm invaded England with a large army, and laid waste Northumberland as far as the Tyne; and he slew many hundred men, and carried home much money and treasure and many prisoners. And the same year King William fought against his son Robert without the borders of Normandy near a castle called Gerborneth (Gerberoy), and there King William was wounded, and the horse on which he sat was killed, and his son William was also wounded, and many men were slain.
1080.
This year Walcher Bishop of Durham was slain at a gemot, and a hundred French and Flemings with him: Walcher himself was born in Lorrain. The Northumbrians perpetrated this in the month of May.
1081.
This year the King led an army into Wales, and there he set free many hundred persons.
1082.
This year the King arrested Bishop Odo. And there was a great famine this year.
1083.
This year a quarrel arose in Glastonbury between the Abbot Thurstan and his monks. It was first caused by the Abbot’s unwise conduct, in that he treated his monks ill in many respects, but the monks were lovingly-minded towards him, and begged him to govern them in right and in kindness, and they would be faithful and obedient to him. But the Abbot would none of this, and wrought them evil, and threatened worse. One day the Abbot went into the Chapter-house, and harangued the monks, and would have taught them amiss;[BH]and he sent for laymen, and they came in all armed upon the monks in the Chapter-house. Then the monks were greatly terrified and knew not what to do, and some ran for refuge into the church and locked the doors from within; but the others followed them, and would have dragged them forth when they durst not come out. Rueful things happened there on that day, for the French broke into the choir and threw darts towards the altar where the monks were collected, and some of their servants went upon the upper floor and shot down arrowstowards the chancel, so that many arrows stuck in the crucifix which stood above the altar, and the wretched monks lay around the altar, and some crept under it, and they called earnestly upon God and besought his mercy, since they could obtain no mercy at the hands of men. What can we say, but that they shot without ceasing, and others broke down the doors, and rushed in, and they slew some of the monks and wounded many, so that the blood ran down from the altar on the steps, and from the steps to the floor. Three were smitten to death and eighteen wounded. And the same year Matilda the wife of King William died on the day after the feast of All Saints. And the same year after Christmas the King caused a great and heavy tax to be raised throughout England, even 72 pence upon every hide of land.
1084.
This year Wulfwold Abbot of Chertsey died on the 13th of the calends of May.
1085.
This year men said and reported as certain, that Cnut King of Denmark, the son of King Swægn was bent hitherward, and that he designed to conquer this land, with the assistance of Robert Earl of Flanders, whose daughter hehad married. When King William, who was then in Normandy, heard this, for England and Normandy were both his, he hastened hither with a larger army of horse and foot, from France and Britanny, than had ever arrived in this land, so that men wondered how the country might feed them all. But the King billetted the soldiers upon his subjects throughout the nation, and they provided for them, every man according to the land that he possessed. And the people suffered much distress this year: and the King caused the country near the sea to be laid waste, that if his enemies landed they might the less readily find any plunder. Afterwards when he had received certain information that they had been stopped, and that they would not be able to proceed in this enterprise, he let part of his forces return to their own homes, and he kept part in this land through the winter. At Christmas the King was at Gloucester with his Witan; and he held his court there five days; and afterwards the Archbishop and Clergy held a synod during three days; and Maurice was there chosen to the bishoprick of London, William to that of Norfolk, and Robert, to that of Cheshire; they were all chaplains of the King. After this the King had a great consultation,and spoke very deeply with his Witan concerning this land, how it was held and what were its tenantry. He then sent his men over all England, into every shire, and caused them to ascertain how many hundred hides of land it contained, and what lands the King possessed therein, what cattle there were in the several counties, and how much revenue he ought to receive yearly from each. He also caused them to write down how much land belonged to his Archbishops, to his Bishops, his Abbots, and his Earls, and, that I may be brief, what property every inhabitant of all England possessed in land or in cattle, and how much money this was worth. So very narrowly did he cause the survey to be made, that there was not a single hide nor a rood of land, nor—it is shameful to relate that which he thought no shame to do—was there an ox, or a cow, or a pig passed by, and that was not set down in the accounts, and then all these writings were brought to him.