In the same year, a large army of pagans sailed from foreign parts into the river Thames, and joined the army which was already in the country. They wintered at Fulham near the river Thames. In the same year an eclipse of the sun took place, between Huntingdon In the same year the foreigners, that is the Wicingi, collected a new army, and remained at Fulenham [FULHAM], on the Thames. three o'clock and the evening This year but nearer to three o'clock. Dunbert bishop of Winchester died, and was succeeded by Deneulf. This man, if we believe the story, for great part of his life was not only devoid of learning, but was also a cowherd. King Alfred when yielding to the fury of his enemies, and fleeing into the wood, lighted upon this man by chance, as he was feeding his swine.* Perceiving his talents he sent him to be taught letters, and afterwards, when he was better instructed, he made him bishop of Winchester: a thing worthy of great wonder. 880. The above named army of pagans left Cirencester, and went among the East Angles, where they divided out the country and began to settle. The same year the army of pagans, which had wintered at Fulham, left the island of Britain, and sailed over the sea to the eastern part of France, where they remained a year at a place called Gendi, i. e. Ghent. the sun was eclipsed. * See Asser's account of this in page 66. In the following year the aforesaid king Godrum left Cirencester, and went into East-Anglia, and obtained that land and divided it. In the same year, the army that was at Fulham crossed the sea, and remained at Ghent one year. CHARTERS IN 880. 1. ETHELRED duke of Mercia, subscribed also by "Elfred rex," "Ego Ethelflæd conjunx [i. e. wife of duke Ethelred]," and others. II, 107. 2. ETHELWOLF. II, 106. Simeon had promised, went to Cirenceastre, which is called in British speaking CAIRCERI, and there they remained the space of one year. In that same year an immense army of pagans came from countries beyond the sea to the river Thames: and joining the aforesaid band, became their accomplices, as is the way with the wicked. An eclipse took place that same year between the 9th hour [3 O'CLOCK] and the evening [6 O'CLOCK]. In the year of our Lord's incarnation 880, the 32nd from the birth of the glorious king Elfred, the often-mentioned army of the pagans left Cirencestre and went to the EastAngles, and dividing that country began to inhabit it. The pagans, who wintered in Fulanhame, left the island of Britain, and went on a visit to take villainous knowledge of France; there they stayed one year. 881. The aforesaid army In the following year they fought with the French and defeated them. In the year of our Lord's incarnation 881, the 33rd from the birth of king Elfred, the aforesaid army, mounting on 882. above-named army steered their ships up into France by a river called the Mese [MEUSE] and there wintered one year. In the same year Alfred fought a battle by sea against the pagan fleet, of which he captured two ships, having slain all who were on board; and the two commanders of two other ships, with all their crews, distressed by the battle and the wounds which they had received, laid down their arms and submitted to the king. CHARTERS IN 882. None. Simeon 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 convent of the most blessed Benedict, taking with them his relics from the tomb where they had been placed in the greatest beauty, they travelled this way and that. In the 3rd year, they went At which time king Alfred 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. |