larger army. His brother-in-law, the perfidious duke Edric, seeing his valour, sought him again as his natural lord, and making peace with him, swore that he would continue faithful to him; upon which, with an army collected together for the third time, the king liberated the citizens of London from the siege, and drove the Danes to their ships. Two days after this, he passed over the Thames at a place which is called Brentford, to engage with the Danes for the third time ; there he joined battle with them, and having put them to flight, gained the victory. On this occasion many men on the side of the EngBsh, while crossing the river without due precautions, were drowned. After this, the king hastened to Wessex, for the purpose of coBecting a more numerous army ; on which, the Danes again repaired to London, laid siege to it, and stormed it on every side ; but, by the aid of God, they were unsuccessful. Upon this, they returned thence with their fleet, and entered the river which is caUed Arewe,55 and, landing from their ships, proceeded into Mercia for the purpose of plunder, after their usual manner slaughtering aU they met, burning towns, and carrying off the spoil : after which, they returned to their ships, and the land forces were conveyed by sea to the river which is caBed Meodewege,55 while the cavalry endeavoured to drive the Uve-stock, which formed part of their booty, by land. In the meantime, king Edmund Ironside for the fourth time coUected a valiant army throughout the whole of England, and passing over the Thames at the place57 where he had done so previously, quickly entered Kent, and fought a battle with the Danes near Ottaford ; on which, being unable to resist his attack, they turned their backs and fled with their horses to Scepege.58 However, he slew all he could overtake, and had not the perfidious duke Edric Streona, with his treachery, withheld him at Eagleford,59 from pursuing the enemy, he would that day have gained a complete victory. After returning into Wessex, Canute crossed over with his forces into Essex, and proceeded again to Mercia, for the sake of plunder, giving orders to his army to commit stiU greater excesses than before. 55 The Orwell, in Suffolk. 55 The Medway. 57 Brentford. st The Isle of Sheppey. 53 Aylesford, in Kent 100 ANNALS OF ROGER DE HOVEDEN. A.D. 1016.