A literal translation of the Saxon chronicle

by Unknown

791.

This year Baldwulf was consecrated Bishop of Whitehorn, on the 16th of the calends of August, by Archbishop Eanbald and Bishop Æthelberht.

792.

This year Offa King of Mercia commanded that King Æthelbyrht should be beheaded: and Osred, who had been King of Northumberland, coming home after his exile, was taken and slain on the 18th of the calends of October, and his body lieth at Tinmouth. And King Æthelred took a new wife named Ælfled on the 3d of the calends of October.

793.

This year terrible prodigies took place in Northumberland, and sorely alarmed the people, these were dreadful lightnings and fiery dragons which were seen flying in the air; a great famine soon followed these portents, and shortly afterwards in the same year and on the 6th of the ides of January a heathen invasion sorrowfully laid waste the church of God at Lindisfarne by rapine and murder. And Sicga died on the 8th of the calends of March.

794.

This year Pope Adrian died; also Offa King of Mercia on the 4th of the ides of August, he reigned 40 years. And Æthelred King of Northumberland was slain by his own people, on the 13th of the calends of May, and the Bishops Ceolwulf and Eadbald departed from the land. And Ecgferth succeeded to the kingdom of Mercia, and died the same year. And Eadbryht whose other name was Præn obtained the kingdom of Kent. And the Alderman Æthelheard died on the calends of August. And the heathens plundered in Northumberland, and pillaged Ecgferth’s monastery at the mouth of the river (Were); And one of their chiefs was slain there; some of their ships also were wrecked by stormy weather, and many of the men were drowned, and some came alive to the port, and these were slain at the river’s mouth.

795.

This year the moon was eclipsed on the 5th of the calends of April, between cock-crowing and day-break. And Eardwulf assumed the government of Northumberland on the 2d of the ides of May, and he was consecrated and placed on his throne by Archbishop Eanbald, and by the Bishops Æthelberht, and Higbald, and Badwulf, at York, on the 7th of the calends of June.