A literal translation of the Saxon chronicle

by Unknown

997.

This year the Army sailed round Devonshire into the mouth of the Severn, and plundered in Cornwall, Wales, and Devon; and they landed at Watchet, and did much damage there, burning and slaying. And after this they sailed southward, and round Penwiht-steort (the Land’s end), and they entered the mouth of the Thamar, and proceeded up that river until they came to Lydeford, and they burned and slew all before them; and they burned Ordulf’s monastery at Ætefingstoce (Tavistock), and carried innumerable spoils to their ships. This year Archbishop Ælfric went to Rome for his pall.

998.

This year the Army again turned eastward into the mouth of the Frome, and they made inroads upon Dorsetshire as far as they would on either side. And troops were often gathered together against them, but whenever they were about to engage, from some cause or other, a flight constantly took place, and the enemy always obtained the victory in the end. At another time they lay off the Isle of Wight, and supplied themselves with provisions from Hampshire and Sussex.

999.

This year the Army again sailed round into the Thames, and came up the Medway as far as Rochester. And the Kentish troops marched against them, and fought with them bravely: but too soon, alas! they gave way and fled, because they had not the support which they ought to have had. Then the Danes kept possession of the field of battle, and having seized horses they rode far and wide wherever they chose, and they plundered and laid waste nearly all the western part of Kent. Then the King with his Witan resolved that both a fleet and an army should be sent against them; but when the ships were ready, they delayed them from day to day, and oppressed the miserable people who served in them. And whenever the ships were going to sail, they were always stopped from time to time, and they allowed the enemy’s forces to increase continually, and whenever these retired from the coast, they then went forth after them. In the end this fleet served no purpose, but to weary the men, to waste money, and to encourage the enemy.

1000.

This year the King went into Cumberland and laid waste nearly the whole of it; and his ships attempted to get round Chester, and were to have met him, but they were not able; then they plundered Mænige (Anglesey). And the enemy’s fleet sailed this summer to the dominions of Richard.

1001.

This year the peace of England was much disturbed by the pirates, who plundered and burned in all parts; and thus they proceeded in one course until they came to Æthelinga-dene (Alton), and there the men of Hampshire met them, and fought with them. And the King’s High Sheriff Ethelweard was killed there, and Leofric of Whitechurch, and Leofwine the King’s High Sheriff, and Wulfhere the Bishop’s Thane, and Godwin of Weorthig (Worthing?) the son of Bishop Ælfsig, and there fell 81 men in all. And many more were slain on the part of the Danes, although they kept possession of the field of battle. And thence they proceeded northward until they came into Devon, and there Pallig joined them with all the ships that he could collect, for he had deserted from King Ethelred after all the assurances of fidelity which he had given him, and although the King had been very bountiful to him, in gifts of houses, of gold, and of silver. And they burned Tegnton (Teynton), and many other good villages which we cannot name, and afterwards the people of that country made a treaty with them; and they departed thence to Exmouth, and so they went on in one course until they came to Peonnho (Pen), and there Cola the King’s High Sheriff, and Eadsige the King’s Sheriff, came against them with the troops which they had gathered together, but they were put to flight and many were slain, and the Danes kept possession of the field of battle. And the next morning they burned the villages of Pen and of Clifton, and many good villages besides which we cannot name. And then they proceeded eastward until they arrived at Wight, and in the morning they there burned the village of Wealtham and many other hamlets, and the inhabitants soon treated with them and obtained peace.