year, Brorda, a prinee of the Mercians, who was also ealled Hyldegils, departed this life. An abbat also, whose name was Altilthegno,61 was murdered by his deputy, and died a shocking death. At this period, Osbald, who was formerly an exile and a patrician, and king for a time, but afterwards an abbat, departed this life, and was buried in the church at York. Earl Aldred, the murderer of king Ethelred, was slain by earl Thor-mund, in revenge for his master the said king. In the year 800, Heardred, bishop of Hagustald,62 died in the third year of his episeopate, and was succeeded by Ean-brith. At the same period also, on the ninth day before the calends of January, the day before the Nativity of our Lord, a mighty wind blowing either from the south or the west, by its indescribable foree destroyed very many cities, houses, and towns in various places, and levelled them with the ground ; innumerable trees were also torn up from the roots, and thrown to the ground. In the same year an inundation took place, the sea flowing beyond its ordinary limits. An extensive murrain also prevailed among the cattle in various places. In the year 801, Edwin, also called Eda, who had formerly been a duke of Northumbria, but was at that time, by the grace of the Saviour of the world, an abbat, being firmly rooted in the service of God, breathed his last, in the presence of his brethren, on the eighteenth day before the calends of February. At this time, Eardulph, king of Northumbria, led an army against Kenwulph, king of Mereia, boeause he had entertained his enemies ; the latter also collected an army, and obtained very considerable aid from other kingdoms. A long war having been waged between them, at length, by the advice of the bishops and chief men among the English on both sides, and through the intervention of the king of the Angles,63 they agreed to a truce ; and a most solemn treaty of peace was concluded between them, which, by oath upon the gospel of Christ, both kings ratified, taking God for their witness, and giving sureties, that all their days, so long as they should live and be invested with the insignia of royalty, there should remain between them lasting peace and true friendship, unshaken and inviolate. In the same year Hathubert, bishop of London, departed this life, and shortly after a great part of the city itself was de- 61 This passage is probably corrupt. 62 Hexham. ra Probably this alludes to the king of East Angha. 18 ANNAIS OF EOGEE BE HOVEDEN. A.D. 801.