A.D. 1052. This
year, on the second day before the nones of March, died the aged Lady
Elfgiva Emma, the mother of King Edward and of King Hardacnute, the
relict of King Ethelred and of King Knute; and her body lies in the old
minster with King Knute. At this time Griffin, the Welsh king,
plundered in Herefordshire till he came very nigh to Leominster; and
they gathered against him both the landsmen and the Frenchmen from the
castle; and there were slain very many good men of the English, and also
of the French. This was on the same day thirteen years after that Edwin
was slain with his companions. In the same year advised the king and
his council, that ships should be sent out to Sandwich, and that Earl
Ralph and Earl Odda should be appointed headmen thereto. Then went Earl
Godwin out from Bruges with his ships to Ysendyck; and sailed forth one
day before midsummer-eve, till he came to the Ness that is to the south
of Romney. When it came to the knowledge of the earls out at Sandwich,
they went out after the other ships; and a land-force was also ordered
out against the ships. Meanwhile Earl Godwin had warning, and betook
himself into Pevensey: and the weather was so boisterous, that the earls
could not learn what had become of Earl Godwin. But Earl Godwin then
went out again until he came back to Bruges; and the other ships
returned back again to Sandwich. Then it was advised that the ships
should go back again to London, and that other earls and other pilots
should be appointed over them. But it was delayed so long that the
marine army all deserted; and they all betook themselves home. When
Earl Godwin understood that, he drew up his sail and his ship: and they
went west at once to the Isle of Wight; and landing there, they
plundered so long that the people gave them as much as they required of
them. Then proceeded they westward until they came to Portland, where
they landed and did as much harm as they could possibly do. Meanwhile
Harold had gone out from Ireland with nine ships, and came up at Potlock
with his ships to the mouth of the Severn, near the boundaries of
Somerset and Devonshire, and there plundered much. The land-folk
collected against him, both from Somerset and from Devonshire: but he
put them to flight, and slew there more than thirty good thanes, besides
others; and went soon after about Penwithstert, where was much people
gathered against him; but he spared not to provide himself with meat,
and went up and slew on the spot a great number of the people -- seizing
in cattle, in men, and in money, whatever he could. Then went he
eastward to his father; and they went both together eastward until they
came to the Isle of Wight, where they seized whatever had been left them
before. Thence they went to Pevensey, and got out with them as many
ships as had gone in there, and so proceeded forth till they came to the
Ness; getting all the ships that were at Romney, and at Hithe, and at
Folkstone. Then ordered King Edward to fit out forty smacks that lay at
Sandwich many weeks, to watch Earl Godwin, who was at Bruges during the
winter; but he nevertheless came hither first to land, so as to escape
their notice. And whilst he abode in this land, he enticed to him all
the Kentish men, and all the boatmen from Hastings, and everywhere
thereabout by the sea-coast, and all the men of Essex and Sussex and
Surrey, and many others besides. Then said they all that they would with
him live or die. When the fleet that lay at Sandwich had intelligence
about Godwin's expedition, they set sail after him; but he escaped them,
and betook himself wherever he might: and the fleet returned to
Sandwich, and so homeward to London. When Godwin understood that the
fleet that lay at Sandwich was gone home, then went he back again to the
Isle of Wight, and lay thereabout by the sea-coast so long that they
came together -- he and his son Earl Harold. But they did no great harm
after they came together; save that they took meat, and enticed to them
all the land-folk by the sea-coast and also upward in the land. And
they proceeded toward Sandwich, ever alluring forth with them all the
boatmen that they met; and to Sandwich they came with an increasing
army. They then steered eastward round to Dover, and landing there,
took as many ships and hostages as they chose, and so returned to
Sandwich, where they did the same; and men everywhere gave them hostages
and provisions, wherever they required them. Then proceeded they to the
Nore, and so toward London; but some of the ships landed on the Isle of
Shepey, and did much harm there; whence they steered to Milton Regis,
and burned it all, and then proceeded toward London after the earls.
When they came to London, there lay the king and all his earls to meet
them, with fifty ships. The earls then sent to the king, praying that
they might be each possessed of those things which had been unjustly
taken from them. But the king resisted some while; so long that the
people who were with the earl were very much stirred against the king
and against his people, so that the earl himself with difficulty
appeased them. When King Edward understood that, then sent he upward
after more aid; but they came very late. And Godwin stationed himself
continually before London with his fleet, till he came to Southwark;
where he abode some time, until the flood came up. On this occasion he
also contrived with the burgesses that they should do almost all that he
would. When he had arranged his whole expedition, then came the flood;
and they soon weighed anchor, and steered through the bridge by the
south side. The land-force meanwhile came above, and rranged themselves
by the Strand; and they formed an angle with the ships against the north
side, as if they wished to surround the king's ships. The king had also
a great land-force on his side, to add to his shipmen: but they were
most of them loth to fight with their own kinsmen -- for there was
little else of any great importance but Englishmen on either side; and
they were also unwilling that this land should be the more exposed to
outlandish people, because they destroyed each other. Then it was
determined that wise men should be sent between them, who should settle
peace on either side. Godwin went up, and Harold his son, and their
navy, as many as they then thought proper. Then advanced Bishop Stigand
with God's assistance, and the wise men both within the town and
without; who determined that hostages should be given on either side.
And so they did. When Archbishop Robert and the Frenchmen knew that,
they took horse; and went some west to Pentecost Castle, some north to
Robert's castle. Archbishop Robert and Bishop Ulf, with their
companions, went out at Eastgate, slaying or else maiming many young
men, and betook themselves at once to Eadulf's-ness; where he put
himself on board a crazy ship, and went at once over sea, leaving his
pall and all Christendom here on land, as God ordained, because he had
obtained an honour which God disclaimed. Then was proclaimed a general
council without London; and all the earls and the best men in the land
were at the council. There took up Earl Godwin his burthen, and cleared
himself there before his lord King Edward, and before all the nation;
proving that he was innocent of the crime laid to his charge, and to his
son Harold and all his children. And the king gave the earl and his
children, and all the men that were with him, his full friendship, and
the full earldom, and all that he possessed before; and he gave the lady
all that she had before. Archbishop Robert was fully proclaimed an
outlaw, with all the Frenchmen; because they chiefly made the discord
between Earl Godwin and the king: and Bishop Stigand succeeded to the
archbishopric at Canterbury. At the council therefore they gave Godwin
fairly his earldom, so full and so free as he at first possessed it; and
his sons also all that they formerly had; and his wife and his daughter
so full and so free as they formerly had. And they fastened full
friendship between them, and ordained good laws to all people. Then
they outlawed all Frenchmen -- who before instituted bad laws, and
judged unrighteous judgment, and brought bad counsels into this land --
except so many as they concluded it was agreeable to the king to have
with him, who were true to him and to all his people. It was with
difficulty that Bishop Robert, and Bishop William, and Bishop Ulf,
escaped with the Frenchmen that were with them, and so went over sea.
Earl Godwin, and Harold, and the queen, sat in their stations. Sweyne
had before gone to Jerusalem from Bruges, and died on his way home at
Constantinople, at Michaelmas. It was on the Monday after the festival
of St. Mary, that Godwin came with his ships to Southwark: and on the
morning afterwards, on the Tuesday, they were reconciled as it stands
here before recorded. Godwin then sickened soon after he came up, and
returned back. But he made altogether too little restitution of God's
property, which he acquired from many places. At the same time Arnwy,
Abbot of Peterborough, resigned his abbacy in full health; and gave it
to the monk Leofric, with the king's leave and that of the monks; and
the Abbot Arnwy lived afterwards eight winters. The Abbot Leofric
gilded the minster, so that it was called Gildenborough; and it then
waxed very much in land, and in gold, and in silver.
A.D. 1052. This
year died Alfric, Archbishop of York, a very pious man, and wise. And
in the same year King Edward abolished the tribute, which King Ethelred
had before imposed: that was in the nine-and-thirtieth year after he had
begun it. That tax distressed all the English nation during so long a
time, as it has been written; that was ever before other taxes which
were variously paid, and wherewith the people were manifestly
distressed. In the same year Eustace [Earl of Boulougne] landed at
Dover: he had King Edward's sister to wife. Then went his men
inconsiderately after quarters, and a certain man of the town they slew;
and another man of the town their companion; so that there lay seven of
his companions. And much harm was there done on either side, by horse
and also by weapons, until the people gathered together: and then they
fled away until they came to the king at Gloucester; and he gave them
protection. When Godwin, the earl, understood that such things should
have happened in his earldom, then began he to gather together people
over all his earldom, and Sweyn, the earl, his son, over his, and
Harold, his other son, over his earldom; and they all drew together in
Gloucestershire, at Langtree, a great force and countless, all ready for
battle against the king, unless Eustace were given up, and his men
placed in their hands, and also the Frenchmen who were in the castle.
This was done seven days before the latter mass of St. Mary. Then was
King Edward sitting at Gloucester. Then sent he after Leofric the earl
[Of Mercia] and north after Siward the earl [Of Northumbria] and begged
their forces. And then they came to him; first with a moderate aid, but
after they knew how it was there, in the south, then sent they north
over all their earldoms, and caused to be ordered out a large force for
the help of their lord; and Ralph, also, over his earldom: and then came
they all to Gloucester to help the king, though it might be late. Then
were they all so united in opinion with the king that they would have
sought out Godwin's forces if the king had so willed. Then thought some
of them that it would be a great folly that they should join battle;
because there was nearly all that was most noble in England in the two
armies, and they thought that they should expose the land to our foes,
and cause great destruction among ourselves. Then counselled they that
hostages should be given mutually; and they appointed a term at London,
and thither the people were ordered out over all this north end, in
Siward's earldom, and in Leofric's, and also elsewhere; and Godwin, the
earl, and his sons were to come there with their defence. Then came
they to Southwark, and a great multitude with them, from Wessex; but his
band continually diminished the longer he stayed. And they exacted
pledges for the king from all the thanes who were under Harold, the
earl, his son; and then they outlawed Sweyn, the earl, his other son.
Then did it not suit him to come with a defence to meet the king, and to
meet the army which was with him. Then went he by night away; and the
king on the morrow held a council, and, together with all the army,
declared him an outlaw, him and all his sons. And he went south to
Thorney, and his wife, and Sweyn his son, and Tosty and his wife,
Baldwin's relation of Bruges, and Grith his son. And Harold, the earl,
and Leofwine, went to Bristol in the ship which Sweyn, the earl, had
before got ready for himself, and provisioned. And the king sent Bishop
Aldred [Of Worcester] to London with a force; and they were to overtake
him ere he came on ship-board: but they could not or they would not.
And he went out from Avonmouth, and met with such heavy weather that he
with difficulty got away; and there he sustained much damage. Then went
he forth to Ireland when fit weather came. And Godwin, and those who
were with him, went from Thorney to Bruges, to Baldwin's land, in one
ship, with as much treasure as they might therein best stow for each
man. It would have seemed wondrous to every man who was in England if
any one before that had said that it should end thus; for he had been
erewhile to that degree exalted, as if he ruled the king and all
England; and his sons were earls and the king's darlings, and his
daughter wedded and united to the king: she was brought to Wherwell, and
they delivered her to the abbess. Then, soon, came William, the earl
[Of Normandy], from beyond seas with a great band of Frenchmen; and the
king received him, and as many of his companions as it pleased him; and
let him away again. This same year was given to William, the priest,
the bishopric of London, which before had been given to Sparhafoc.
A.D. 1052. This
year died Elfgive, the lady, relict of King Ethelred and of King Canute,
on the second before the nones of March. In the same year Griffin, the
Welsh king, plundered in Herefordshire, until he came very nigh to
Leominster; and they gathered against him, as well the landsmen as the
Frenchmen of the castle, and there were slain of the English very many
good men, and also of the Frenchmen; that was on the same day, on which,
thirteen years before, Eadwine had been slain by his companions.
A.D. 1052. In
this year died Elgive Emma, King Edward's mother and King
Hardecanute's. And in this same year, the king decreed, and his
council, that ships should proceed to Sandwich; and they set Ralph, the
earl. and Odda, the earl [Of Devon], as headmen thereto. Then Godwin,
the earl, went out from Bruges with his ships to Ysendyck, and left it
one day before Midsummer's-mass eve, so that he came to Ness, which is
south of Romney. Then came it to the knowledge of the earls out at
Sandwich; and they then went out after the other ships, and a land-force
was ordered out against the ships. Then during this, Godwin, the earl,
was warned, and then he went to Pevensey; and the weather was very
severe, so that the earls could not learn what was become of Godwin, the
earl. And then Godwin, the earl, went out again, until he came once
more to Bruges; and the other ships returned again to Sandwich. And
then it was decreed that the ships should return once more to London,
and that other earls and commanders should be appointed to the ships.
Then was it delayed so long that the ship-force all departed, and all of
them went home. When Godwin, the earl, learned that, then drew he up his
sail, and his fleet, and then went west direct to the Isle of Wight, and
there landed and ravaged so long there, until the people yielded them so
much as they laid on them. And then they went westward until they came
to Portland, and there they landed, and did whatsoever harm they were
able to do. Then was Harold come out from Ireland with nine ships; and
then landed at Porlock, and there much people was gathered against him;
but he failed not to procure himself provisions. He proceeded further,
and slew there a great number of the people, and took of cattle, and of
men, and of property as it suited him. He then went eastward to his
father; and then they both went eastward until they came to the Isle of
Wight, and there took that which was yet remaining for them. And then
they went thence to Pevensey and got away thence as many ships as were
there fit for service, and so onwards until he came to Ness, and got all
the ships which were in Romney, and in Hythe, and in Folkstone. And
then they went east to Dover, and there landed, and there took ships and
hostages, as many as they would, and so went to Sandwich and did "hand"
the same; and everywhere hostages were given them, and provisions
wherever they desired. And then they went to Northmouth, and so toward
London; and some of the ships went within Sheppey, and there did much
harm, and went their way to King's Milton, and that they all burned, and
betook themselves then toward London after the earls. When they came to
London, there lay the king and all the earls there against them, with
fifty ships. Then the earls sent to the king, and required of him, that
they might be held worthy of each of those things which had been
unjustly taken from them. Then the king, however, resisted some while;
so long as until the people who were with the earl were much stirred
against the king and against his people, so that the earl himself with
difficulty stilled the people. Then Bishop Stigand interposed with
God's help, and the wise men as well within the town as without; and
they decreed that hostages should be set forth on either side: and thus
was it done. When Archbishop Robert and the Frenchmen learned that,
they took their horses and went, some west to Pentecost's castle, some
north to Robert's castle. And Archbishop Robert and Bishop Ulf went out
at East-gate, and their companions, and slew and otherwise injured many
young men, and went their way to direct Eadulf's-ness; and he there put
himself in a crazy ship, and went direct over sea, and left his pall and
all Christendom here on land, so as God would have it, inasmuch as he
had before obtained the dignity so as God would not have it. Then there
was a great council proclaimed without London: and all the earls and the
chief men who were in this land were at the council. There Godwin bore
forth his defence, and justified himself, before King Edward his lord,
and before all people of the land, that he was guiltless of that which
was laid against him, and against Harold his son, and all his children.
And the king gave to the earl and his children his full friendship, and
full earldom, and all that he before possessed, and to all the men who
were with him. And the king gave to the lady [Editha] all that she
before possessed. And they declared Archbishop Robert utterly an outlaw,
and all the Frenchmen, because they had made most of the difference
between Godwin, the earl, and the king. And Bishop Stigand obtained the
Archbishopric of Canterbury. In this same time Arnwy, Abbot of
Peterborough, left the abbacy, in sound health, and gave it to Leofric
the monk, by leave of the king and of the monks; and Abbot Arnwy lived
afterwards eight years. And Abbot Leofric then (enriched) the minster,
so that it was called the Golden-borough. Then it waxed greatly, in
land, and in gold, and in silver.
A.D. 1052. And
went so to the Isle of Wight, and there took all the ships which could
be of any service, and hostages, and betook himself so eastward. And
Harold had landed with nine ships at Porlock, and slew there much
people, and took cattle, and men, and property, and went his way
eastward to his father, and they both went to Romney, to Hythe, to
Folkstone, to Dover, to Sandwich, and ever they took all the ships which
they found, which could be of any service, and hostages, all as they
proceeded; and went then to London.
A.D. 1053. About
this time was the great wind, on the mass-night of St. Thomas; which did
much harm everywhere. And all the midwinter also was much wind. It was
this year resolved to slay Rees, the Welsh king's brother, because he
did harm; and they brought his head to Gloucester on the eve of
Twelfth-day. In this same year, before Allhallowmas, died Wulfsy,
Bishop of Lichfield; and Godwin, Abbot of Winchcomb; and Aylward, Abbot
of Glastonbury; all within one month. And Leofwine, Abbot of Coventry,
took to the bishopric at Lichfield; Bishop Aldred to the abbacy at
Winchcomb; and Aylnoth took to the abbacy at Glastonbury. The same year
died Elfric, brother of Odda, at Deerhurst; and his body resteth at
Pershore. In this year was the king at Winchester, at Easter; and Earl
Godwin with him, and Earl Harold his son, and Tosty. On the day after
Easter sat he with the king at table; when he suddenly sunk beneath
against the foot-rail, deprived of speech and of all his strength. He
was brought into the king's chamber; and they supposed that it would
pass over: but it was not so. He continued thus speechless and helpless
till the Thursday; when he resigned his life, on the seventeenth before
the calends of May; and he was buried at Winchester in the old minster.
Earl Harold, his son, took to the earldom that his father had before,
and to all that his father possessed; whilst Earl Elgar took to the
earldom that Harold had before. The Welshmen this year slew a great
many of the warders of the English people at Westbury. This year there
was no archbishop in this land: but Bishop Stigand held the see of
Canterbury at Christ church, and Kinsey that of York. Leofwine and
Wulfwy went over sea, and had themselves consecrated bishops there.
Wulfwy took to the bishopric which Ulf had whilst he was living and in
exile.
A.D. 1053. This
year was the great wind on Thomas's-mass-night, and also the whole
midwinter there was much wind; and it was decreed that Rees, the Welsh
king's brother, should be slain, because he had done harm; and his head
was brought to Gloucester on Twelfth-day eve. And the same year, before
All Hallows-mass, died Wulfsy, Bishop of Lichfield, and Godwin, Abbot of
Winchcomb, and Egelward, Abbot of Clastonbury, all within one month, and
Leofwine succeeded to the Bishopric of Lichfield, and Bishop Aidred [Of
Worcester] took the abbacy at Winchcomb, and Egelnoth succeeded to the
abbacy at Glastonbury. And the same year died Elfric, Odda's brother at
Deorhurst; and his body resteth at Pershore. And the same year died
Godwin the earl; and he fell ill as he sat with the king at Winchester.
And Harold his son succeeded to the earldom which his father before
held; and Elgar, the earl, succeeded to the earldom which Harold before
held.
A.D. 1053. In
this year died Godwin, the earl, on the seventeenth before the kalends
of May, and he is buried at Winchester, in the Old-minster; and Harold,
the earl, his son, succeeded to the earldom, and to all that which his
father had held: and Elgar, the earl, succeeded to the earldom which
Harold before held.
A.D. 1054. This
year died Leo the holy pope, at Rome: and Victor was chosen pope in his
stead. And in this year was so great loss of cattle as was not
remembered for many winters before. This year went Earl Siward with a
large army against Scotland, consisting both of marines and landforces;
and engaging with the Scots, he put to flight the King Macbeth; slew all
the best in the land; and led thence much spoil, such as no man before
obtained. Many fell also on his side, both Danish and English; even his
own son, Osborn, and his sister's son, Sihward: and many of his
house-carls, and also of the king's, were there slain that day, which
was that of the Seven Sleepers. This same year went Bishop Aldred south
over sea into Saxony, to Cologne, on the king's errand; where he was
entertained with great respect by the emperor, abode there well-nigh a
year, and received presents not only from the court, but from the Bishop
of Cologne and the emperor. He commissioned Bishop Leofwine to
consecrate the minster at Evesham; and it was consecrated in the same
year, on the sixth before the ides of October. This year also died
Osgod Clapa suddenly in his bed, as he lay at rest.
A.D. 1054. This
year went Siward the earl with a great army into Scotland, both with a
ship-force and with a landforce, and fought against the Scots, and put
to flight King Macbeth, and slew all who were the chief men in the land,
and led thence much booty, such as no man before had obtained. But his
son Osborn, and his sister's son Siward, and some of his house-carls,
and also of the king's, were there slain, on the day of the Seven
Sleepers. The same year went Bishop Aldred to Cologne, over sea, on the
king's errand; and he was there received with much worship by the
emperor [Henry III], and there he dwelt well nigh a year; and either
gave him entertainment, both the Bishop of Cologne and the emperor. And
he gave leave to Bishop Leofwine [Of Lichfield] to consecrate the
minster at Evesham on the sixth before the ides of October. In this
year died Osgod suddenly in his bed. And this year died St. Leo the
pope; and Victor was chosen pope in his stead.
A.D. 1055. This
year died Earl Siward at York; and his body lies within the minster at
Galmanho, which he had himself ordered to be built and consecrated, in
the name of God and St. O1ave, to the honour of God and to all his
saints. Archbishop Kinsey fetched his pall from Pope Victor. Then,
within a little time after, a general council was summoned in London,
seven nights before mid-Lent; at which Earl Elgar, son of Earl Leofric,
was outlawed almost without any guilt; because it was said against him
that he was the betrayer of the king and of all the people of the land.
And he was arraigned thereof before all that were there assembled,
though the crime laid to his charge was unintentional. The king,
however, gave the earldom, which Earl Siward formerly had, to Tosty, son
of Earl Godwin. Whereupon Earl Elgar sought Griffin's territory in
North-Wales; whence he went to Ireland, and there gave him a fleet of
eighteen ships, besides his own; and then returned to Wales to King
Griffin with the armament, who received him on terms of amity. And they
gathered a great force with the Irishmen and the Welsh: and Earl Ralph
collected a great army against them at the town of Hereford; where they
met; but ere there was a spear thrown the English people fled, because
they were on horses. The enemy then made a great slaughter there --
about four hundred or five hundred men; they on the other side none.
They went then to the town, and burned it utterly; and the large
minster also which the worthy Bishop Athelstan had caused to be built,
that they plundered and bereft of relic and of reef, and of all things
whatever; and the people they slew, and led some away. Then an army
from all parts of England was gathered very nigh; and they came to
Gloucester: whence they sallied not far out against the Welsh, and there
lay some time. And Earl Harold caused the dike to be dug about the town
the while. Meantime men began to speak of peace; and Earl Harold and
those who were with him came to Bilsley, where amity and friendship were
established between them. The sentence of outlawry against Earl Elgar
was reversed; and they gave him all that was taken from him before. The
fleet returned to Chester, and there awaited their pay, which Elgar
promised them. The slaughter was on the ninth before the calends of
November. In the same year died Tremerig, the Welsh bishop, soon after
the plundering; who was Bishop Athelstan's substitute, after he became
infirm.
A.D. 1055. In
this year died Siward the earl at York, and he lies at Galmanho, in the
minster which himself caused to be built, and consecrated in God's and
Olave's name. And Tosty succeeded to the earldom which he had held.
And Archbishop Kynsey [Of York], fetched his pall from Pope Victor. And
soon thereafter was outlawed Elgar the earl, son of Leofric the earl,
well-nigh without guilt. But he went to Ireland and to Wales, and
procured himself there a great force, and so went to Hereford: but there
came against him Ralph the earl, with a large army, and with a slight
conflict he put them to flight, and much people slew in the flight: and
they went then into Hereford-port, and that they ravaged, and burned the
great minster which Bishop Athelstan had built, and slew the priests
within the minster, and many in addition thereto, and took all the
treasures therein, and carried them away with them. And when they had
done the utmost evil, this counsel was counselled: that Elgar the earl
should be inlawed, and be given his earldom, and all that had been taken
from him. This ravaging happened on the 9th before the Kalends of
November. In the same year died Tremerin the Welsh bishop [Of St.
David's] soon after that ravaging: and he was Bishop Athelstan's
coadjutor from the time that he had become infirm.
A.D. 1055. In
this year died Siward the earl: and then was summoned a general council,
seven days before Mid-lent; and they outlawed Elgar the earl, because it
was cast upon him that he was a traitor to the king and to all the
people of the land. And he made a confession of it before all the men
who were there gathered; though the word escaped him unintentionally.
And the king gave the earldom to Tosty, son of Earl Godwin, which Siward
the earl before held. And Elgar the earl sought Griffin's protection in
North-Wales. And in this year Griffin and Elgar burned St. Ethelbert's
minster, and all the town of Hereford.
A.D. 1056. This
year Bishop Egelric resigned his bishopric at Durham, and retired to
Peterborough minster; and his brother Egelwine succeeded him. The
worthy Bishop Athelstan died on the fourth before the ides of February;
and his body lies at Hereford. To him succeeded Leofgar, who was Earl
Harold's mass-priest. He wore his knapsack in his priesthood, until he
was a bishop. He abandoned his chrism and his rood -- his ghostly
weapons -- and took to his spear and to his sword, after his bishophood;
and so marched to the field against Griffin the Welsh king. But he was
there slain, and his priests with him, and Elnoth the sheriff, and many
other good men with them; and the rest fled. This was eight nights
before midsummer. Difficult is it to relate all the vexation and the
journeying, the marching and the fatigue, the fall of men, and of horses
also, which the whole army of the English suffered, until Earl Leofric,
and Earl Harold, and Bishop Eldred, came together and made peace between
them; so that Griffin swore oaths, that he would be a firm and faithful
viceroy to King Edward. Then Bishop Eldred took to the bishopric which
Leofgar had before eleven weeks and four days. The same year died Cona
the emperor; and Earl Odda, whose body lies at Pershore, and who was
admitted a monk before his end; which was on the second before the
calends of September; a good man and virtuous and truly noble.
A.D. 1057. This
year came Edward Etheling, son of King Edmund, to this land, and soon
after died. His body is buried within St. Paul's minster at London. He
was brother's son to King Edward. King Edmund was called Ironside for
his valour. This etheling King Knute had sent into Hungary, to betray
him; but he there grew in favour with good men, as God granted him, and
it well became him; so that he obtained the emperor's cousin in
marriage, and by her had a fair offspring. Her name was Agatha. We
know not for what reason it was done, that he should see his relation,
King Edward. Alas! that was a rueful time, and injurious to all this
nation -- that he ended his life so soon after he came to England, to
the misfortune of this miserable people. The same year died Earl
Leofric, on the second before the calends of October; who was very wise
before God, and also before the world; and who benefited all this
nation. He lies at Coventry and his son Elgar took to his territory.
This year died Earl Ralph, on the twelfth before the calends of January;
and lies at Peterborough. Also died Bishop Heca, in Sussex; and Egelric
was elevated to his see. This year also died Pope Victor; and Stephen
was chosen pope, who was Abbot of Monut Cassino.
A.D. 1057. In
this year Edward Etheling, King Edmund's son, came hither to land, and
soon after died- and his body is buried within St. Paul's minster at
London. And Pope Victor died, and Stephen [IX.] was chosen pope: he was
Abbot of Mont-Cassino. And Leofric the earl died, and Elgar his son
succeeded to the earldom which the father before held.
A.D. 1058. This
year was Earl Elgar banished: but he soon came in again by force,
through Griffin's assistance: and a naval armament came from Norway. It
is tedious to tell how it all fell out. In this same year Bishop Aldred
consecrated the minster church at Gloucester, which he himself had
raised to the honour of God and St. Peter; and then went to Jerusalem
with such dignity as no other man did before him, and betook himself
there to God. A worthy gift he also offered to our Lord's sepulchre;
which was a golden chalice of the value of five marks, of very wonderful
workmanship. In the same year died Pope Stephen; and Benedict was
appointed pope. He sent hither the pall to Bishop Stigand; who as
archbishop consecrated Egelric a monk at Christ church, Bishop of
Sussex; and Abbot Siward Bishop of Rochester.
A.D. 1058. This
year died Pope Stephen, and Benedict was consecrated pope: the same sent
hither to land a pall to Archbishop Stigand. And in this year died
Heca, Bishop of Sussex; and Archbishop Stigand ordained Algeric, a monk
at Christchurch, Bishop of Sussex, and Abbot Siward Bishop of Rochester.
A.D. 1059. This
year was Nicholas chosen pope, who had been Bishop of Florence; and
Benedict was expelled, who was pope before. This year also was
consecrated the steeple at Peterborough, on the sixteenth before the
calends of November.
A.D. 1060. This
year was a great earthquake on the Translation of St. Martin, and King
Henry died in France. Kinsey, Archbishop of York, died on the eleventh
before the calends of January; and he lies at Peterborough. Bishop
Aldred succeeded to the see, and Walter to that of Herefordshire. Dudoc
also died, who was Bishop of Somersetshire; and Gisa the priest was
appointed in his stead.
A.D. 1061. This
year went Bishop Aldred to Rome after his pall; which he received at the
hands of Pope Nicholas. Earl Tosty and his wife also went to Rome; and
the bishop and the earl met with great difficulty as they returned
home. In the same year died Bishop Godwin at St. Martin's, on the
seventh before the ides of March; and in the self-same year died
Wulfric, Abbot of St. Augustine's, in the Easterweek, on the fourteenth
before the calends of May. Pope Nicholas also died; and Alexander was
chosen pope, who was Bishop of Lucca. When word came to the king that
the Abbot Wulfric was dead, then chose he Ethelsy, a monk of the old
minster, to succeed; who followed Archbishop Stigand, and was
consecrated abbot at Windsor on St. Augustine s mass-day.
A.D. 1061. In
this year died Dudoc, Bishop of Somerset, and Giso succeeded. And in
the same year died Godwin, Bishop of St. Martin's, on the seventh before
the ides of March. And in the self-same year died Wulfric, Abbot of St.
Augustine's, within the Easter week, on the fourteenth before the
kalends of May. When word came to the king that Abbot Wulfric was
departed, then chose he Ethelsy the monk thereto, from the Old-Minster,
who then followed Archbishop Stigand, and was consecrated abbot at
Windsor, on St. Augustine's mass-day.
A.D. 1063. This
year went Earl Harold, after mid-winter, from Gloucester to Rhyddlan;
which belonged to Griffin: and that habitation he burned, with his ships
and all the rigging belonging thereto; and put him to flight. Then in
the gang-days went Harold with his ships from Bristol about Wales; where
he made a truce with the people, and they gave him hostages. Tosty
meanwhile advanced with a land-force against them, and plundered the
land. But in the harvest of the same year was King Griffin slain, on
the nones of August, by his own men, through the war that he waged with
Earl Harold. He was king over all the Welsh nation. And his head was
brought to Earl Harold; who sent it to the king, with his ship's head,
and the rigging therewith. King Edward committed the land to his two
brothers, Blethgent and Rigwatle; who swore oaths, and gave hostages to
the king and to the earl, that they would be faithful to him in all
things, ready to aid him everywhere by water and land, and would pay him
such tribute from the land as was paid long before to other kings.
A.D. 1063. This
year went Harold the earl, and his brother Tosty the earl, as well with
a land-force as a shipforce, into Wales, and they subdued the land; and
the people delivered hostages to them, and submitted; and went
afterwards and slew their King Griffin, and brought to Harold his head:
and he appointed another king thereto.
A.D. 1065. This
year, before Lammas, ordered Earl Harold his men to build at Portskeweth
in Wales. But when he had begun, and collected many materials, and
thought to have King Edward there for the purpose of hunting, even when
it was all ready, came Caradoc, son of Griffin, with all the gang that
he could get, and slew almost all that were building there; and they
seized the materials that were there got ready. Wist we not who first
advised the wicked deed. This was done on the mass-day of St.
Bartholomew. Soon after this all the thanes in Yorkshire and in
Northumberland gathered themselves together at York, and outlawed their
Earl Tosty; slaying all the men of his clan that they could reach, both
Danish and English; and took all his weapons in York, with gold and
silver, and all his money that they could anywhere there find. They
then sent after Morkar, son of Earl Elgar, and chose him for their
earl. He went south with all the shire, and with Nottinghamshire and
Derbyshire and Lincolnshire, till he came to Northampton; where his
brother Edwin came to meet him with the men that were in his earldom.
Many Britons also came with him. Harold also there met them; on whom
they imposed an errand to King Edward, sending also messengers with him,
and requesting that they might have Morcar for their earl. This the
king granted; and sent back Harold to them, to Northampton, on the eve
of St. Simon and St. Jude; and announced to them the same, and confirmed
it by hand, and renewed there the laws of Knute. But the Northern men
did much harm about Northampton, whilst he went on their errand: either
that they slew men, and burned houses and corn; or took all the cattle
that they could come at; which amounted to many thousands. Many hundred
men also they took, and led northward with them; so that not only that
shire, but others near it were the worse for many winters. Then Earl
Tosty and his wife, and all they who acted with him, went south over sea
with him to Earl Baldwin; who received them all: and they were there all
the winter. About midwinter King Edward came to Westminster, and had
the minster there consecrated, which he had himself built to the honour
of God, and St. Peter, and all God's saints. This church-hallowing was
on Childermas-day. He died on the eve of twelfth-day; and he was buried
on twelfth-day in the same minster; as it is hereafter said.
Here Edward king,
of Angles lord,
sent his
stedfast
soul to
Christ.
In the
kingdom of God
a holy
spirit!
He in the
world here
abode
awhile,
in the
kingly throng
of
council sage.
Four and
twenty
winters
wielding
the
sceptre freely,
wealth he
dispensed.
In the
tide of health,
the
youthful monarch,
offspring
of Ethelred!
ruled
well his subjects;
the Welsh
and the Scots,
and the
Britons also,
Angles
and Saxons
relations
of old.
So
apprehend
the first
in rank,
that to
Edward all
the noble
king
were
firmly held
high-seated men.
Blithe-minded aye
was the
harmless king;
though he
long ere,
of land
bereft,
abode in
exile
wide on
the earth;
when
Knute o'ercame
the kin
of Ethelred,
and the
Danes wielded
the dear
kingdom
of
Engle-land.
Eight and
twenty
winters'
rounds
they
wealth dispensed.
Then came
forth
free in
his chambers,
in royal
array,
good,
pure, and mild,
Edward the
noble;
by his
country defended --
by land and
people.
Until
suddenly came
the bitter
Death
and this
king so dear
snatched
from the earth.
Angels
carried
his soul
sincere
into the
light of heaven.
But the
prudent king
had settled
the realm
on
high-born men --
on Harold
himself,
the noble
earl;
who in
every season
faithfully
heard
and obeyed
his lord,
in word and
deed;
nor gave to
any
what might
be wanted
by the
nation's king.
This year also was
Earl Harold hallowed to king; but he enjoyed little tranquillity therein
the while that he wielded the kingdom.
A.D. 1065. And the
man-slaying was on St. Bartholomew's mass-day. And then, after
Michael's-mass, all the thanes in Yorkshire went to York, and there slew
all Earl Tosty's household servants whom they might hear of, and took his
treasures: and Tosty was then at Britford with the king. And then, very
soon thereafter, was a great council at Northampton; and then at Oxford on
the day of Simon and Jude. And there was Harold the earl, and would work
their reconciliation if he might, but he could not: but all his earldom
him unanimously forsook and outlawed, and all who with him lawlessness
upheld, because he robbed God first, and all those bereaved over whom he
had power of life and of land. And they then took to themselves Morkar
for earl; and Tosty went then over sea, and his wife with him, to
Baldwin's land, and they took up their winter residence at St. Omer's.
A.D. 1066. This
year came King Harold from York to Westminster, on the Easter succeeding
the midwinter when the king (Edward) died. Easter was then on the
sixteenth day before the calends of May. Then was over all England such a
token seen as no man ever saw before. Some men said that it was the
comet-star, which others denominate the long-hair'd star. It appeared
first on the eve called "Litania major", that is, on the eighth before the
calends off May; and so shone all the week. Soon after this came in Earl
Tosty from beyond sea into the Isle of Wight, with as large a fleet as he
could get; and he was there supplied with money and provisions. Thence he
proceeded, and committed outrages everywhere by the sea-coast where he
could land, until he came to Sandwich. When it was told King Harold, who
was in London, that his brother Tosty was come to Sandwich, he gathered so
large a force, naval and military, as no king before collected in this
land; for it was credibly reported that Earl William from Normandy, King
Edward's cousin, would come hither and gain this land; just as it
afterwards happened. When Tosty understood that King Harold was on the
way to Sandwich, he departed thence, and took some of the boatmen with
him, willing and unwilling, and went north into the Humber with sixty
skips; whence he plundered in Lindsey, and there slew many good men. When
the Earls Edwin and Morkar understood that, they came hither, and drove
him from the land. And the boatmen forsook him. Then he went to Scotland
with twelve smacks; and the king of the Scots entertained him, and aided
him with provisions; and he abode there all the summer. There met him
Harold, King of Norway, with three hundred ships. And Tosty submitted to
him, and became his man. Then came King Harold to Sandwich, where he
awaited his fleet; for it was long ere it could be collected: but when it
was assembled, he went into the Isle of Wight, and there lay all the
summer and the autumn. There was also a land-force every where by the
sea, though it availed nought in the end. It was now the nativity of St.
Mary, when the provisioning of the men began; and no man could keep them
there any longer. They therefore had leave to go home: and the king rode
up, and the ships were driven to London; but many perished ere they came
thither. When the ships were come home, then came Harald, King of Norway,
north into the Tine, unawares, with a very great sea-force -- no small
one; that might be, with three hundred ships or more; and Earl Tosty came
to him with all those that he had got; just as they had before said: and
they both then went up with all the fleet along the Ouse toward York.
When it was told King Harold in the south, after he had come from the
ships, that Harald, King of Norway, and Earl Tosty were come up near York,
then went he northward by day and night, as soon as he could collect his
army. But, ere King Harold could come thither, the Earls Edwin and Morkar
had gathered from their earldoms as great a force as they could get, and
fought with the enemy. They made a great slaughter too; but there was a
good number of the English people slain, and drowned, and put to flight:
and the Northmen had possession of the field of battle. It was then told
Harold, king of the English, that this had thus happened. And this fight
was on the eve of St. Matthew the apostle, which was Wednesday. Then
after the fight went Harold, King of Norway, and Earl Tosty into York with
as many followers as they thought fit; and having procured hostages and
provisions from the city, they proceeded to their ships, and proclaimed
full friendship, on condition that all would go southward with them, and
gain this land. In the midst of this came Harold, king of the English,
with all his army, on the Sunday, to Tadcaster; where he collected his
fleet. Thence he proceeded on Monday throughout York. But Harald, King
of Norway, and Earl Tosty, with their forces, were gone from their ships
beyond York to Stanfordbridge; for that it was given them to understand,
that hostages would be brought to them there from all the shire. Thither
came Harold, king of the English, unawares against them beyond the bridge;
and they closed together there, and continued long in the day fighting
very severely. There was slain Harald the Fair-hair'd, King of Norway, and
Earl Tosty, and a multitude of people with them, both of Normans and
English; and the Normans that were left fled from the English, who slew
them hotly behind; until some came to their ships, some were drowned, some
burned to death, and thus variously destroyed; so that there was little
left: and the English gained possession of the field. But there was one
of the Norwegians who withstood the English folk, so that they could not
pass over the bridge, nor complete the victory. An Englishman aimed at
him with a javelin, but it availed nothing. Then came another under the
bridge, who pierced him terribly inwards under the coat of mail. And
Harold, king of the English, then came over the bridge, followed by his
army; and there they made a great slaughter, both of the Norwegians and of
the Flemings. But Harold let the king's son, Edmund, go home to Norway
with all the ships. He also gave quarter to Olave, the Norwegian king's
son, and to their bishop, and to the earl of the Orkneys, and to all those
that were left in the ships; who then went up to our king, and took oaths
that they would ever maintain faith and friendship unto this land.
Whereupon the King let them go home with twenty-four ships. These two
general battles were fought within five nights. Meantime Earl William
came up from Normandy into Pevensey on the eve of St. Michael's mass; and
soon after his landing was effected, they constructed a castle at the port
of Hastings. This was then told to King Harold; and he gathered a large
force, and came to meet him at the estuary of Appledore. William, however,
came against him unawares, ere his army was collected; but the king,
nevertheless, very hardly encountered him with the men that would support
him: and there was a great slaughter made on either side. There was slain
King Harold, and Leofwin his brother, and Earl Girth his brother, with
many good men: and the Frenchmen gained the field of battle, as God
granted them for the sins of the nation. Archbishop Aldred and the
corporation of London were then desirous of having child Edgar to king, as
he was quite natural to them; and Edwin and Morkar promised them that they
would fight with them. But the more prompt the business should ever be,
so was it from day to day the later and worse; as in the end it all
fared. This battle was fought on the day of Pope Calixtus: and Earl
William returned to Hastings, and waited there to know whether the people
would submit to him. But when he found that they would not come to him,
he went up with all his force that was left and that came since to him
from over sea, and ravaged all the country that he overran, until he came
to Berkhampstead; where Archbishop Aldred came to meet him, with child
Edgar, and Earls Edwin and Morkar, and all the best men from London; who
submitted then for need, when the most harm was done. It was very
ill-advised that they did not so before, seeing that God would not better
things for our sins. And they gave him hostages and took oaths: and he
promised them that he would be a faithful lord to them; though in the
midst of this they plundered wherever they went. Then on midwinter's day
Archbishop Aldred hallowed him to king at Westminster, and gave him
possession with the books of Christ, and also swore him, ere that he would
set the crown on his head, that he would so well govern this nation as any
before him best did, if they would be faithful to him. Neverrhetess he
laid very heavy tribute on men, and in Lent went over sea to Normandy,
taking with him Archbishop Stigand, and Abbot Aylnoth of Glastonbury, and
the child Edgar, and the Earls Edwin, Morkar, and Waltheof, and many other
good men of England. Bishop Odo and Earl William lived here afterwards,
and wrought castles widely through this country, and harassed the
miserable people; and ever since has evil increased very much. May the
end be good, when God will! In that same expedition was Leofric, Abbot
of Peterborough; who sickened there, and came home, and died soon after,
on the night of Allhallow-mass. God honour his soul! In his day was all
bliss and all good at Peterborough. He was beloved by all; so that the
king gave to St. Peter and him the abbey at Burton, and that at Coventry,
which the Earl Leofric, who was his uncle, had formerly made; with that of
Croyland, and that of Thorney. He did so much good to the minster of
Peterborough, in gold, and in silver, and in shroud, and in land, as no
other ever did before him, nor any one after him. But now was
Gilden-borough become a wretched borough. The monks then chose for abbot
Provost Brand, because he was a very good man, and very wise; and sent him
to Edgar Etheling, for that the land-folk supposed that he should be king:
and the etheling received him gladly. When King William heard say that,
he was very wroth, and said that the abbot had renounced him: but good men
went between them, and reconciled them; because the abbot was a good man.
He gave the king forty marks of gold for his reconciliation; and he lived
but a little while after – only three years. Afterwards came all
wretchedness and all evil to the minster. God have mercy on it!
A.D. 1066. This
year died King Edward, and Harold the earl succeeded to the kingdom, and
held it forty weeks and one day. And this year came William, and won
England. And in this year Christ-Church [Canterbury] was burned. And
this year appeared a comet on the fourteenth before the kalends of May.
A.D. 1066. ...And
then he [Tosty] went thence, and did harm everywhere by the sea-coast
where he could land, as far as Sandwich. Then was it made known to King
Harold, who was in London, that Tosty his brother was come to Sandwich.
Then gathered he so great a ship-force, and also a land force, as no king
here in the land had before gathered, because it had been soothly said
unto him, that William the earl from Normandy, King Edward's kinsman,
would come hither and subdue this land: all as it afterwards happened.
When Tosty learned that King Harold was on his way to Sandwich, then went
he from Sandwich, and took some of the boatmen with him, some willingly
and some unwillingly; and went then north into Humber, and there ravaged
in Lindsey, and there slew many good men. When Edwin the earl and Morcar
the earl understood that, then came they thither, and drove him out of the
land. And he went then to Scotland: and the king of Scots protected him,
and assisted him with provisions; and he there abode all the summer. Then
came King Harold to Sandwich, and there awaited his fleet, because it was
long before it could be gathered together. And when his fleet was
gathered together, then went he into the Isle of Wight, and there lay all
the summer and the harvest; and a land-force was kept everywhere by the
sea, though in the end it was of no benefit. When it was the Nativity of
St. Mary, then were the men's provisions gone, and no man could any longer
keep them there. Then were the men allowed to go home, and the king rode
up, and the ships were dispatched to London; and many perished before they
came thither. When the ships had reached home, then came King Harald from
Norway, north into Tyne, and unawares, with a very large ship-force, and
no small one; that might be, or more. And Tosty the earl came to him with
all that he had gotten, all as they had before agreed; and then they went
both, with all the fleet, along the Ouse, up towards York. Then was it
made known to King Harold in the south, as he was come from on ship-board,
that Harald King of Norway and Tosty the earl were landed near York. Then
went he northward, day and night, as quickly as he could gather his
forces. Then, before that King Harold could come thither, then gathered
Edwin the earl and Morcar the earl from their earldom as great a force as
they could get together; and they fought against the army, and made great
slaughter: and there was much of the English people slain, and drowned,
and driven away in flight; and the Northmen had possession of the place of
carnage. And this fight was on the vigil of St. Matthew the apostle, and
it was Wednesday. And then, after the fight, went Harald, King of Norway,
and Tosty the earl, into York, with as much people as seemed meet to
them. And they delivered hostages to them from the city, and also
assisted them with provisions; and so they went thence to their ships, and
they agreed upon a full peace, so that they should all go with him south,
and this land subdue. Then, during this, came Harold, king of the Angles,
with all his forces, on the Sunday, to Tadcaster, and there drew up his
force, and went then on Monday throughout York; and Harald, King of
Norway, and Tosty the earl, and their forces, were gone from their ships
beyond York to Stanfordbridge, because it had been promised them for a
certainty, that there, from all the shire, hostages should be brought to
meet them. Then came Harold, king of the English, against them, unawares,
beyond the bridge, and they there joined battle, and very strenuously, for
a long time of the day, continued fighting: and there was Harald, King of
Norway, and Tosty the earl slain, and numberless of the people with them,
as well of the Northmen as of the English: and the Northmen fled from the
English. Then was there one of the Norwegians who withstood the English
people, so that they might not pass over the bridge, nor obtain the
victory. Then an Englishman aimed at him with a javelin, but availed
nothing; and then came another under the bridge, and pierced him terribly
inwards under the coat of mail. Then came Harold, king of the English,
over the bridge, and his forces onward with him, and there made great
slaughter, as well of Norwegians as of Flemings. And the King's son,
Edmund, Harold let go home to Norway, with all the ships.
A.D. 1066. In this
year was consecrated the minster at Westminster, on Childer-mass-day. And
King Edward died on the eve of Twelfth-day; and he was buried on
Twelfth-day within the newly consecrated church at Westminster. And
Harold the earl succeeded to the kingdom of England, even as the king had
granted it to him, and men also had chosen him thereto; and he was crowned
as king on Twelfth-day. And that same year that he became king, he went
out with a fleet against William [Earl of Normandy]; and the while, came
Tosty the earl into Humber with sixty ships. Edwin the earl came with a
land-force and drove him out; and the boatmen forsook him. And he went to
Scotland with twelve vessels; and Harald, the King of Norway, met him with
three hundred ships, and Tosty submitted to him; and they both went into
Humber, until they came to York. And Morcar the earl, and Edwin the
earl, fought against them; and the king of the Norwegians had the
victory. And it was made known to King Harold how it there was done, and
had happened; and he came there with a great army of English men, and met
him at Stanfordbridge, and slew him and the earl Tosty, and boldly
overcame all the army. And the while, William the earl landed at Hastings,
on St. Michael's-day: and Harold came from the north, and fought against
him before all his army had come up: and there he fell, and his two
brothers, Girth and Leofwin; and William subdued this land. And he came to
Westminster, and Archbishop Aldred consecrated him king, and men paid him
tribute, delivered him hostages, and afterwards bought their land. And
then was Leofric, Abbot of Peterborough, in that same expedition; and
there he sickened, and came home, and was dead soon thereafter, on
All-hallows-mass-night; God be merciful to his soul! In his day was all
bliss and all good in Peterborough; and he was dear to all people, so
that the king gave to St. Peter and to him the abbacy at Burton, and that
of Coventry, which Leofric the earl, who was his uncle, before had made,
and that of Crowland, and that of Thorney. And he conferred so much of
good upon the minster of Peterborough, in gold, and in silver, and in
vestments, and in land, as never any other did before him, nor any after
him. After, Golden-borough became a wretched borough. Then chose the
monks for abbot Brand the provost, by reason that he was a very good man,
and very wise, and sent him then to Edgar the etheling, by reason that the
people of the land supposed that he should become king: and the etheling
granted it him then gladly. When King William heard say that, then was he
very wroth, and said that the abbot had despised him. Then went good men
between them, and reconciled them, by reason that the abbot was a good
man. Then gave he the king forty marks of gold for a reconciliation; and
then thereafter, lived he a little while, but three years. After that
came every tribulation and every evil to the minster. God have mercy on
it!
A.D. 1067. This
year came the king back again to England on St. Nicholas's day; and the
same day was burned the church of Christ at Canterbury. Bishop Wulfwy
also died, and is buried at his see in Dorchester. The child Edric and
the Britons were unsettled this year, and fought with the castlemen at
Hereford, and did them much harm. The king this year imposed a heavy
guild on the wretched people; but, notwithstanding, let his men always
plunder all the country that they went over; and then he marched to
Devonshire, and beset the city of Exeter eighteen days. There were many
of his army slain; out he had promised them well, and performed ill; and
the citizens surrendered the city because the thanes had betrayed them.
This summer the child Edgar departed, with his mother Agatha, and his two
sisters, Margaret and Christina, and Merle-Sweyne, and many good men with
them; and came to Scotland under the protection of King Malcolm, who
entertained them all. Then began King Malcolm to yearn after the child's
sister, Margaret, to wife; but he and all his men long refused; and she
also herself was averse, and said that she would neither have him nor any
one else, if the Supreme Power would grant, that she in her maidenhood
might please the mighty Lord with a carnal heart, in this short life, in
pure continence. The king, however, earnestly urged her brother, until he
answered Yea. And indeed he durst not otherwise; for they were come into
his kingdom. So that then it was fulfilled, as God had long ere
foreshowed; and else it could not be; as he himself saith in his gospel:
that "not even a sparrow on the ground may fall, without his
foreshowing." The prescient Creator wist long before what he of her would
have done; for that she should increase the glory of God in this land,
lead the king aright from the path of error, bend him and his people
together to a better way, and suppress the bad customs which the nation
formerly followed: all which she afterwards did. The king therefore
received her, though it was against her will, and was pleased with her
manners, and thanked God, who in his might had given him such a match. He
wisely bethought himself, as he was a prudent man, and turned himself to
God, and renounced all impurity; accordingly, as the apostle Paul, the
teacher of all the gentries, saith: "Salvabitur vir infidelis per mulierem
fidelem; sic et mulier infidelis per virum fidelem," etc.: that is in our
language, "Full oft the unbelieving husband is sanctified and healed
through the believing wife, and so belike the wife through the believing
husband." This queen aforesaid performed afterwards many useful deeds in
this land to the glory of God, and also in her royal estate she well
conducted herself, as her nature was. Of a faithful and noble kin was she
sprung. Her father was Edward Etheling, son of King Edmund. Edmund was
the son of Ethelred; Ethelred the son of Edgar; Edgar the son of Edred;
and so forth in that royal line: and her maternal kindred goeth to the
Emperor Henry, who had the sovereignty over Rome. This year went out
Githa, Harold's mother, and the wives of many good men with her, to the
Flat-Holm, and there abode some time; and so departed thence over sea to
St. Omer's. This Easter came the king to Winchester; and Easter was then
on the tenth before the calends of April. Soon after this came the Lady
Matilda hither to this land; and Archbishop Eldred hallowed her to queen
at Westminster on Whit Sunday. Then it was told the king, that the people
in the North had gathered themselves together, and would stand against him
if he came. Whereupon he went to Nottingham, and wrought there a castle;
and so advanced to York, and there wrought two castles; and the same at
Lincoln, and everywhere in that quarter. Then Earl Gospatric and the best
men went into Scotland. Amidst this came one of Harold's sons from
Ireland with a naval force into the mouth of the Avon unawares, and
plundered soon over all that quarter; whence they went to Bristol, and
would have stormed the town; but the people bravely withstood them. When
they could gain nothing from the town, they went to their ships with the
booty which they had acquired by plunder; and then they advanced upon
Somersetshire, and there went up; and Ednoth, master of the horse, fought
with them; but he was there slain, and many good men on either side; and
those that were left departed thence.
A.D. 1068. This
year King William gave Earl Robert the earldom over Northumberland; but
the landsmen attacked him in the town of Durham, and slew him, and nine
hundred men with him. Soon afterwards Edgar Etheling came with all the
Northumbrians to York; and the townsmen made a treaty with him: but King
William came from the South unawares on them with a large army, and put
them to flight, and slew on the spot those who could not escape; which
were many hundred men; and plundered the town. St. Peter's minster he
made a profanation, and all other places also he despoiled and trampled
upon; and the etheling went back again to Scotland. After this came
Harold's sons from Ireland, about midsummer, with sixty-four ships into
the mouth of the Taft, where they unwarily landed: and Earl Breon came
unawares against them with a large army, and fought with them, and slew
there all the best men that were in the fleet; and the others, being small
forces, escaped to the ships: and Harold's sons went back to Ireland
again.
A.D. 1069. This
year died Aldred, Archbishop of York; and he is there buried, at his see.
He died on the day of Protus and Hyacinthus, having held the see with
much dignity ten years wanting only fifteen weeks. Soon after this came
from Denmark three of the sons of King Sweyne with two hundred and forty
ships, together with Earl Esborn and Earl Thurkill, into the Humber; where
they were met by the child Edgar, and Earl Waltheof, and Merle-Sweyne, and
Earl Gospatric with the Northumbrians, and all the landsmen; riding and
marching full merrily with an immense army: and so all unanimously
advanced to York; where they stormed and demolished the castle, and won
innumerable treasures therein; slew there many hundreds of Frenchmen, and
led many with them to the ships; but, ere that the shipmen came thither,
the Frenchmen had burned the city, and also the holy minster of St. Peter
had they entirely plundered, and destroyed with fire. When the king heard
this, then went he northward with all the force that he could collect,
despoiling and laying waste the shire withal; whilst the fleet lay all the
winter in the Humber, where the king could not come at them. The king was
in York on Christmas Day, and so all the winter on land, and came to
Winchester at Easter. Bishop Egelric, who was at Peterborough, was this
year betrayed, and led to Westminster; and his brother Egelwine was
outlawed. This year also died Brand, Abbot of Peterborough, on the fifth
before the calends of December. |