[X] Omitted in the Cotton MS. the elder Sidrac having been killed before.
[Y] Turner supposes this to be Morton, Berkshire, “because the Chronicle of Mailros, p. 144, places the battle at Reading, and according to the map Morton Hundred joins Reading, and contains both North Morton and South Morton.”—Hist. Anglo Saxons, vol. i. p. 240.
[Z] So Lye explains sumor-lida, and with most probability; but Gibson translates it “quies æstiva;” and Henry of Huntingdon and Ethelwerd turn it into “æstivus exercitus.”
[AA] The chief oath among the Northern nations. In Iceland, in the time of heathenism, a silver or brazen ring or bracelet was kept on the altars, and being sprinkled with the blood of sacrifices, it was touched by those who took any solemn oath. For the same purpose it was worn on the Judge’s arm during trials. See the Chrymogæa of Arngrim Jonas, p. 62 and 76.
[AB] Over sea to Louvain, according to Ethelwerd.
[AC] To oppose a fleet of heathen Germans.
[AD] After the defeat and death of the King St. Edmund.—Simeon of Durham.
[AE] It seems that Alfred had left part of his troops to watch the Danes in Essex, and had gone himself in another direction.
[AF] Of Devonshire.—Henry of Huntingdon.
[AG] Torfæus, Hist. Norv. T. ii. p. 50, says, that the Danish Haulldur, or Hold, was a Noble by birth, as distinguished from the Hersir, who held an official rank.