A literal translation of the Saxon chronicle

by Unknown

This year Earl Ædwin and Earl Morker withdrew themselves and wandered through the woods and fields. Then Earl Morker took ship and went to Ely; and Earl Ædwin was slain treacherously by his own men: and Bishop Egelwin, and Siward Bearn, and many hundreds with them, came into Ely. And when King William heard this, he called out a fleet and army; and he surrounded that land, and he made a bridge and entered in, his fleet lying off the coast. Then all the outlaws surrendered; these were, Bishop Egelwin and Earl Morker, and all who were with them, excepting only Hereward, and his followers whom he led off with great valour. And the King seized their ships, and arms, and much treasure; and he disposed of the men as he would; and he sent Bishop Egelwin to Abingdon, where he died early in the winter.

1072.

This year King William led an army and a fleet against Scotland, and he stationed the ships along the coast and crossed the Tweed with his army; but he found nothing to reward his pains. And King Malcolm came and treated with King William, and delivered hostages, and became his liege-man; and King William returned home with his forces. And Bishop Egelric died; he had been consecrated to the Archbishoprick of York, of which he was unjustly deprived, and the see of Durham was given to him; this he held as long as he would, and then resigned it and went to the monastery of Peterborough, and there he spent 12 years. Then after King William had conquered England, he removed Egelric from Peterborough, and sent him to Westminster, and he died on the ides of October, and he is buried in the Abbey, in the aisle of St. Nicholas.

1073.

This year King William carried an army of English and French over sea, and conquered the province of Maine: and the English did great damage, for they destroyed the vineyards and burned the towns, and they laid waste that province, the whole of which submitted to William; and they afterwards returned home again.

1074.

This year King William went over sea to Normandy; and Childe Edgar came thither from Scotland, and the King received him and all his men into the protection of the law, and he remained at Court, enjoying such privileges as the King granted him.

1075.

This year King William gave the daughter of William Osbearn’s son in marriage to Earl Ralph: the said Ralph was a Welchman on his mother’s side, and his father was an Englishman named Ralph, who was born in Norfolk. Then the King gave the Earldom of Norfolk and Suffolk to his son, who brought his wife to Norwich, but there the bridal feast was the bane of all: for Earl Roger and Earl Waltheof were there, and Bishops and Abbots, and they took counsel to depose the King of England. And this was soon reported to the King then in Normandy, and it was told him withal that Earl Roger and Earl Ralph were the heads of the conspiracy, and that they had brought over the Welch to their side, and had sent eastward to Denmark for a fleet to assist them. And Earl Roger departed to his earldom in the west, and gathered his people together in rebellion against the King, but he was checked in his attempt. And Earl Ralph also being in his earldom would have marched forth with his people; but the garrisons of the castles of England, and the inhabitants of the country came against him, and prevented his effecting any thing, on which he took ship at Norwich: and his wife remained in the castle, and held it till she had obtained terms, and then she departed from England with all her adherents. And after this the King came to England, and he took his kinsman Earl Roger and put him in prison; he also seized Earl Waltheof. And soon afterwards 200 ships arrived from Denmark, commanded by two chieftains, Cnut the son of Swegn, and Earl Hacon, but they durst not risk a battle with King William, and they bore away for Flanders. And the lady Eadgith died at Winchester seven nights before Christmas, and the King caused her to be brought to Westminster with great pomp, and to be laid by her Lord King Edward. And the King was at Westminster during Christmas, and there all the Welchmen who had been at the bridal feast at Norwich were brought to justice; some were blinded, and others banished. Thus were put down the traitors to William.

1076.