|
|
Previous | all pages
|
Next |
|
|
FABIUS ETHELWERD
THE CHRONICLE FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO A.D. 975
page 36
and found a citadel on the coasts of Kent, at a place called Middleton [Milton] : they encamp there the whole winter ; and the number of years that had elapsed from the glorious nativity of our Saviour was nine hundred, all but seven.
After the Easter of that year, the army which had come from Gaul leave their camp, and trace the intricacies of a certain immense wood, which is called Andred, and they extend as far as the Western Angles. Slowly as they go, they ravage the adjoining provinces, Hampshire and Berkshire : these things were told to the heir of Edward, son of king Alfred, who had been exercising himself in the southern parts of England. After this they reach the Western Angles, who meet then with threatening arms and dense array at Farnham : they exult, freed by the arrival of the prince, like sheep under the protection of the shepherd ; the tyrant is wounded, and his troops are driven across the river Thames into the northern countries.
Meanwhile, the Danes are held besieged in Thorney isle. Earl Ethered, setting out from the city of London, lent his aid to the prince. The barbarians asked peace and a treaty : hostages are given, they promise by oath to leave the kingdom of the aforesaid king ; their words and deeds agree together without delay. Lastly, they set out for the country of the East-Angles, formerly governed by the king Saint Edmund, and their shipsfly round to them from the Limnean port to Meresige [Mersey], a place in Kent. ~
In the course of the same year, Hasten breaks away with his band from Bamfleet, and devastates all Mercia, until they arrive at the end of Britain. The army, which was then in the eastern part of the country, supplied them with reinforcements, and the Northumbrian, in the same way. The illustrious duke Ethelm, with a squadron of cavalry, and duke Ethelnoth, with an army of Western-Angles, followed behind them, and Ethered, earl of the Mercians, pressed after them with great impetuosity. The youth of both people join battle, and the Angles obtain the victory. These things are said by ancient writers to have been done at Buttington, and the exertions of the Danes appeared futile 5 they again ratify peace, give hostages, and promise to leave that part of the country. In the same year Danaasuda,* in Bamfleet, was
* This must be the fortress which Hasten's men built in Bamfleet
|
|
|
Previous |
First |
Next |
|
|
|