Saxon Chronicle then was the army there horsed after the battle. flight. 881 went higher up into France; the barbarians were put to and the French fought against them; and after the battle the pagans obtained horses and became an cavalry. army of horses, came into the borders of the French, which may appear wonderful, that the enemies dared shew themselves against so brave and warlike a people. Then the French, with unconquerable bravery, sallying manfully from the castles, and towns, cities and towers, were kindled with rage like lions, seeing the nefarious powers of the wicked men come forth, seeing the bad exult with joy and gladness, the good lie sunk in fear, the innocent mourn, the guilty to rejoice. Having taken wise counsel, the bold Frenchmen began a most severe battle with the pagans. At the end of which they returned in triumph: the pagans, having gained horses, gallopped this way and that. In those days many monasteries among the same nation were shaken and desolated. For the brethren, also, of the Benedict, taking with them where they had been placed In the 3rd year, they went up the Maese into France. At which time king Alfred and slew the men who were took 4 ships in a naval battle, on board. convent of the most blessed his relics from the tomb in the greatest beauty, they travelled this way and that. In the year of our Lord's incarnation 882, the 34th from the birth of the glorious king Elfred, the army of pagans drew their ships up the river called the Mese into the country of the Frankish nation, and there wintered one year. In the same year, lastly, Elfred the brave king of the Saxons sustained by the naval battle of his leaders, engaged against the pagan ships by sea. Of which, he, on an equal footing, defeated 2 ships by his powerful valour, and slew all who were in them. When he had defeated them, this prince of princes gave due thanks to the Author of his safety. What then took place I will now relate. After this he severely wounded the princes of the two ships with all their arms, with all their companions, who, helplessly laying down their arms, with bent thighs and suppliant prayers, gave themselves up to the great king, as long as the spark of vital heart should keep alive in them. Asser 2 The aforesaid army divided into two parts. 3 One body of them went into East France, and the other coming to Britain entered Kent, where they besieged a city called in Saxon Rochester, and situated on the eastern bank of the river Medway. Before the gate of the town the pagans suddenly erected a strong fortress, but yet they were unable to take the city, because the citizens defended themselves bravely, until king Alfred came up to help them with a large army; Then the pagans abandoned their fortress, and all their horses which they had brought with them out of France, and leaving behind them in the fortress the greater part of their prisoners, on the arrival of the king, fled immediately to their ships, and the Saxons immediately seized on the prisoners and horses left by the pagans; and so the pagans, compelled by stern necessity, returned the same summer to France. In the same year Alfred, king of the Anglo-Saxons led his fleet, full of fighting men, out of Kent to the country of the East Angles, for the sake of plunder; and, when they had arrived at the mouth of the river Stour, immediately thirteen ships of the pagans met them, prepared for battle; a fierce fight ensued, and all the pagans, after a brave resistance, were slain; all the ships, with all their money, were taken. 9 The rest of the pirate-crew met them; they ply their oars, their armour shines over the constrained waters, the barbarians obtain the victory. 10 The same year died Charles the magnificent king of the Franks, cut off by death |