sat at Winchester; 'but that neither Godwine the earl, nor the other men also who had much power, would allow him because the cry was then greatly in favour of Harold, though that was

The etheling still lived,
every ill they him vowed,
until it was decreed

that he should be led
to Ely-bury,
thus bound.

Soon as he came to land,
in the ship he was blinded;
and him thus blind
they brought to the monks :
and he there abode
the while that he lived.
After that him they buried,
as well was his due
full worthily,
as he worthy was,
at the west end,

the steeple well-nigh,
in the south-aisle.

His soul is with Christ.

A.D. 1036. This year died king Cnut 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 Hardacnut who was in Denmark. And Godwine 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 Aelfgifu, Hardacnut's mother, should dwell at Winchester with the king's, her son's, huscarls, and hold all Wessex in his power; and Godwine the earl was their chief man. Some men said of Harold that he was the son of king Cnut and of Aelfgive daughter of Aelfelm the ealdorman, but it seemed quite incredible to many men; and he was nevertheless full king over all England.

A.D. 1037. This year was Harald chosen king over all, and Hartha-Cnut forsaken, because he stayed too long in Denmark; and then they drove out his mother Aelfgyfe, the queen, without any kind of mercy, against the stormy winter and she came then to Bruges beyond sea; and Baldwin the earl' there well received her, and there kept her the while she had need. And before, in this year, died Aefic the noble dean at Evesham.

1 Instead of these words, D. reads thus, "and those who then were of great power in the land did not permit this."

D. gives such a turn to the sentence as to avoid mentioning Godwin's name. E. F.

• F. omits as far as the word “Oxford,” and also the words "and the 'lithsmen' at London."

5 Instead of the conclusion of the year, F. adds, .. "withstood it, but they sped nothing whatever. And he was full king over all England."

• C. D.

7 Earl of Flanders.

A.D. 1037. This year was driven out Aelfgife, king 'Cnut's relict; she was king Hardacanute's mother; and she then sought the protection of Baldwine 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 Aethelnoth, the good archbishop, and Aethelric, bishop in 'Sussex, 'who desired of God that he would not let him live, any while, after his beloved father Aethelnoth; and accordingly, within seven days after, he departed, and bishop Aelfric' in East Anglia, and bishop Bryhteh in Worcestershire, on the 13th of the kalends of January [20th Dec.] And then bishop Eadsige succeeded to the archbishopric, and Grymcytel to the bishopric in Sussex, and bishop Living to Worcestershire and to Gloucestershire.

A.D. 1038. This year died Aethelnoth, the "good archbishop, on the kalends of November [1st Nov.], and a little after, Aethelric, bishop in Sussex; and then before Christmas, Brihteh, bishop in Worcestershire, and soon Aelfric, bishop in East Anglia.

A.D. 1039. "This year was the great wind: and bishop Bryhtmaer died at Lichfield. And the Welsh slew Eadwine, brother of Leofric the earl, and Thurcil, and Aelfget, and very many good men with them. And this year also came Harthacnut to Bruges, where his mother was.

A.D. 121039. This year king Harold died at Oxford, on 13the 16th of the kalends of April [17th March], 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 steersman, in like manner as had been before done in the days of king Cnut. And in this same year came king Hardacnut 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 steersman. 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 Harald. Then sent they after Harthacnut to Bruges; thinking that they did well. And he then came hither with sixty ships before midsummer, and then imposed a very heavy tribute, so that it could hardly be levied; that was eight marks for each steersman, and all were then averse to him who before had desired him; and moreover he did nothing royal during his whole reign. He caused the dead Harald to be taken up, and

1EF.

2 ... "the king's relict, and the mother of Eadward and Hardecnut." F.
3 C. D.
• Of Canterbury.
$ Of Selsey.
This incident, as far as the word "departed," does not occur in C.
7 The death of Aelfric, bishop of Elmham, is not in D.

To the end of the year from E. F.

10 This appellation is omitted in F.

9 E. F.
11 C.

12 E. F. From this time the dates in these two MSS. are often faulty. Harold is here said to have reigned four years and sixteen weeks, although Cnut's death, November 12th, is placed under the year 1036, and the death of Hardacnut, and the coronation of Edward, which belongs unquestionably to the year 1043, are in like manner misdated.-P.

13 The date is wanting in F. See A.D. 1040. 14 F. omits as far as the word “Cnut.”

16 The concluding sentence not in F.

15 The exact date not in F.

17 C. D.

had him cast into a fen. 'This year archbishop Eadsige' went to Rome.3

A.D. 1040. This year was the "here-geld" paid; that was twenty-one thousand pounds and ninety-nine pounds. And after that they paid to thirty-two ships, eleven thousand pounds and forty-eight pounds. And, in this same year, came Eadward, son of king Aethelred, hither to land, from Weal-land; he was brother of king Hardacnut: they were both sons of Aelfgive; she was daughter of earl Richard.

A.D. 1041. This year Harthacnut caused all Worcestershire to be ravaged, on account of his two house-carls, who demanded the heavy impost; when the people slew them in the town within the minster. And this year, soon after, came from beyond sea Eadward, his brother on the mother's side, king Aethelred's son, who before for many years had been driven from his country; and yet was he sworn king and he then abode thus in his brother's court while he lived. And in this year also Harthacnut betrayed Eadulf the earl, while under his protection: and he became then a belier of his "wed." "And this year bishop Egelric' was ordained at York, on the 3d of the ides of January [11th Jan.]"

A.D. 1041. This year died king Hardacnut at Lambeth, on the 6th of the ides of June [8th 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. 10And his mother, for his soul, gave to the Newminster 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 Aeulf [sine], abbat of Peterborough; and then Arnwi the monk was chosen abbat, because he was a very good man, and of great simplicity.

A.D. 1042. "This year died king Harthacnut as he stood at his drink, and he suddenly fell to the earth with a terrible convulsion: and then they who were there nigh took hold of him; and he after that spake not one word: and he died on the 6th of the ides of June [8th June]. And all people then acknowledged Edward for king, as was his true natural right.

A.D. "1043. This year was Edward consecrated king at Winchester, on the first day of Easter, with much pomp: and then was Easter on the 3d of the nones of April [3d April]. Archbishop Eadsige consecrated him, and before all the people well instructed him; and for his own need, and all the people's, well admonished him. And Stigant the priest was blessed bishop of the "East Angles. And soon after, the king caused all the lands which his mother possessed to be seized into his hands, and took from her all • Archbishop of Canterbury.

1 This sentence is from A.

"and king Harold died," A. add. 4 E. F.

• This sentence does not occur in C.

8 In 1041 this day fell upon a Sunday.

C. D.

7 He was bishop of Durham.

• E. F. A.D. 1042, A. See the following year.

10 This sentence does not occur in E. 11 This clause is omitted in F.

12 To the end of the year not in F.

14 A. C. A.D. 1042, E. F.

13 C. D.

15 Namely, of Elmham.

that she possessed in gold, and in silver, 'and in things unspeakable, because she had before held it too closely with him. And soon after, Stigant was deposed from his bishopric, and all that he possessed was seized into the king's hands, because he was nearest to his mother's counsel, and she went just as he advised her, as people thought.

A.D. 1043. This year was Edward consecrated king at Winchester on the first day of Easter [3d April]. And this year, fourteen days before Andrew's-mass [16th Nov.], the king was advised to ride from Gloucester, and Leofric the earl, and Godwine 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 [Eadgithe] of Godwine the earl for his wife. And in this same year died bishop Brihtwold, and he held the bishopric thirty-eight years, that was the bishopric of Sherborne, and Hereman the king's priest succeeded to the bishopric. And in this year Wulfric was hallowed abbat of St. Augustine's, at Christmas, on Stephen's mass-day [26th Dec.], by leave of the king, and, on account of his great infirmity, of abbat Aelfstane.

A.D. '1044. This year archbishop Eadsige' gave up the bishopric by reason of his infirmity, and he blessed thereto Siward, abbat of Abingdon, as bishop, by the king's leave and counsel, and Godwine's the earl's it was known to few men else before it was done, because the archbishop thought that some other man would obtain or buy it whom he could less trust in, and be pleased with, if more men should know of it. And in this year was a very great famine over all England, and corn was so dear as no man before remembered; so that the sester of wheat went up to sixty pence, and even further. And in the same year the king went out to Sandwich with thirtyfive ships and Aethelstan the church ward obtained the abbacy at Abingdon. "And Stigand reobtained his bishopric. And in the same year" king Edward took Eadgythe, daughter of Godwine the earl, to wife, ten days before Candlemas [23d Jan.].

:

A.D. 121044. This year died Living, bishop's in Devonshire, and Leofric succeeded thereto: he was the king's priest. And in this same year died Aelfstan, abbat of St. Augustine's, on the third of the nones of July [5th July]. And "in this same year was outlawed Osgot Clapa.

1 "and in things unspeakable," not in F.

2 To the end of the year not in E. F.

3 From D.

4 The date of 1043 is here repeated in MS. E. A.D. 1044, F.

The words "that was the bishopric of Sherborne," do not occur in E. 6 E. F.

7 From C. A.D. 1043, E. F.

Archbishop of Canterbury.

From this point as far as the word "bishopric," F. is silent.

10 This sentence is not in C. F. In explanation of it see A.D. 1043.

11 There are some anomalous appearances with respect to the time of beginning the year in MS. C. before this period; but henceforward to the year 1053, it can hardly be questioned that the computation from Easter is followed in that copy. This event, therefore, according to our mode of reckoning, would belong to the year 1045.-P.

12 E. A.D. 1045, F. See A.D. 1045, 1046. 13 "of Exeter," F.

14 "in this same year" do not occur in F., neither does the exact date speci. fied in E.

15 F. here again omits the words "in this same year."

A.D. 1045. 'In this year died bishop Bryhtwold, on the 10th of the kalends of May [22d April]; and king Edward gave the bishopric to Heraman his priest. And in the same summer king Edward went out with his ships to Sandwich; and there so great a force was gathered, that no man had seen a greater fleet in this land. And in this same year' died bishop Lyvync, on the 13th of the kalends of April [20th March]; and the king gave the bishopric to Leofric his priest. This year died Aelfward, bishop of London, on the 8th of the kalends of August [25th July]. He was first abbat of Evesham, and greatly advanced the minster whilst he was there. He went then to Ramsey, and there gave up his life. And Manni was chosen abbat,' and ordained on the 4th of the ides of August [10th Aug.]. And in this year was driven out Gunnilde, the noble woman, king Cnut's niece; and she, after that, stayed at Bruges a long while, and afterwards went to Denmark.

A.D. 1045. This year died Grymkytel, bishop in Sussex, and Heca, the king's priest, succeeded thereto. And in this year died Aelfwine, bishop of Winchester, 'on the 4th of the kalends of September [29th Aug.]; and Stigand, bishop to the north, succeeded thereto. And in the same year Swegen the earl went out to Baldwin's land 1o to Bruges, and abode there all the winter; and then in summer he went out.

A.D. 1046. "In this year Swegen the earl went into Wales, and Griffin the Northern king" went with him: and they delivered hostages to him. As he was on his way homewards, then commanded he to be brought unto him the abbess of Leominster: and he had her as long as he listed; and after that he let her go home. And in this same year Osgod Clapa was outlawed before midwinter. And in this same year, after "Candlemas, came the severe winter, with frost and with snow, and with all kinds of tempestuous weather, so that there was no man then alive who could remember so severe a winter as this was, as well through mortality of men as murrain of cattle; even birds and fishes perished through the great cold and famine.

A.D. 1046. 14This year died Brihtwold, bishop in Wiltshire, and Hereman was appointed to his see. In that year king Eadward gathered a large ship-force at Sandwich, on account of the threatening of Magnus in Norway but his and Swegen's contention in Denmark hindered his coming here.

A.D. 1046. This year died Aethelstan, abbot of Abingdon, and Spearhafoc, monk of St. Edmund's-bury, succeeded him. And in this same year died bishop Siward, and archbishop Eadsige again obtained the whole bishopric."

16

1 As far as the word "priest " is from C. 2 He was bishop of Ramsbury.

3 A.D. 1046.

From D. to the end of the year, in which MS. the following events are placed under the year 1045, but this arises apparently from the omission of 1044, to which year, according to Florence of Worcester, who used a copy similar to D., they belong; and the like error continues in this MS. until 1052, where it is corrected by the repetition of that date.-P. 5 Of Evesham.

6 E. A.D. 1046, F. See A.D. 1047.

8 This date does not occur in F.

7 "in this year," not in F.

• The Latin text of F. explains this as meaning that he was bishop of the East Saxons. His see was at Elmham.

11 C.

13 Namely, 2d Feb. 1047.

A.D. 1047, F. See A.D. 1047, 1048.

15 E.
17 Of Canterbury.

10 That is, to Flanders.

12 He was king of North Wales.

14 D. See A.D. 1045.

16 See A.D. 1044.