A.D. 1015. MARRIAGE OF EDMUND IRONSIDE. 95 established on either side, both by words and by pledge. In addition to this, the nobles unanimously made promise that they would no more admit a Danish king into England. On these things being eoneluded, a deputation was sent by the English to Normandy, and the king was brought back in all haste during the season of Lent, and received with due honor by all. In the meantime it was arranged by Canute and the men of Lindesey,45 that, procuring horses for the army, they should make a descent for the purpose of plunder. But, before they were prepared, king Egelred came thither with a strong army, -and, Canute with his fleet being put to flight, laid waste the whole of Lindesey, and ravaged it with fire, slaughtering all the inhabitants he could. But Canute, at onee taking safety in flight, directed his course towards the south of England, and in a short time came to the port of Sandwich, where he put on shore the hostages that had been given to his father by the whole of England, and, having cut off their hands, ears, and nostrils, aUowed them to depart, and then set sail for Denmark, to return in the ensuing year. In addition tc all these evils, king Edward ordered to be paid to the fleet, which lay at Grenwie, a tribute which amounted to thirty thousand pounds. On the third day before the calends of October, the sea overflowed its shores, and drowned a great number of towns in England and numberless multitudes of people. In the year 1015, while a great council was being held in seeret at Oxford, the perfidious duke Edric Streona, by stratagem enticed Sigeferth and Morear, the sons of Earngrim, the very worthy and influential thanes of the Seven Boroughs, into his chamber, and there ordered them to be put to death. King Egelred thereupon took possession of their property, and erdered Aldgitha, the relict of Sigeferth, to be taken to the city of Maidulph.46 While she was being kept in confinement there, Edmund, the king's son, surnamed Ironside, came thither, and, against the will of his father,47 took her to wife, and, between the feasts of the Assumption and the Nativity of Saint Mary, set out for the Five Boroughs, and invading the territories of Sigeferth and Morear, subjected their people to himself. 45 Roger of Wendover says that he had gained them over to his cause. f Malmesbury. 47 Roger of Wendover says, without his father's knowledge.