St. Martin’s Mass,—­

One of our men has returned from the army.  He states that forces being gathered from all parts of England, the Danes were waylaid, and must have been beaten, but that Edric persuaded the king not to fight when the victory was in his hands, and so they escaped.

St. Brice’s Day, 1009.—­

This ill-omened anniversary we sang dirge and mass for the souls of those who were slain by treachery seven years ago.  Our forces have returned from the south.  They say the Danes have gone into winter quarters on the Thames, and that all the neighbourhood pays them tribute.

London has hitherto gallantly resisted their attacks.

Edric Streorn has married the king’s daughter, Edmund’s half-sister, Elgitha.  Is this a time to be “marrying and giving in marriage”?  Edmund is frantic about it.

February 1010.—­

Woeful news.  Herstan and all his family, who had returned in peace to their dwelling, have come to us homeless and destitute.  The Danes, as in 1006, suddenly issued from their ships.  They took their way upwards through Chiltern, and so to Oxford, burning the city.  Then they returned all down the river, the infantry in boats, the cavalry on horseback, burning on every side.

But, worst of all, Abingdon is destroyed; the holy house which has been a house of prayer so many generations!  Keeping in their course, they burned Clifton; but the alarm was given in time, and the people escaped.  There was no chance of defence this time.

Then they attacked Dorchester, and burned part of the city, but retired before all was consumed, hearing that a large force was marching against them; so onward past the ruins of Wallingford, which had not yet been rebuilt, destroying Bensington on their road.  Thus they went on to Staines, when, fearing the forces of London, they returned through Kent to their ships.

Our brethren who took refuge in Abingdon have just arrived.  We must find them room here; they tell a piteous story.

Ascension Tide, 1010.—­

A sorrowful Ascension Tide indeed!  They have landed in East Anglia.  A battle has been fought and lost.  Nearly all the English leaders slain.

Whitsuntide.—­

We can hardly keep the festival, the people are so excited by the news; all Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire (once more) are laid waste.  They are on the road to Bedford.

Edmund and Alfgar, with young Hermann, and all our fighting men, have gone out on their own account against them.

July.—­

The Danes elude all our troops.  Edric persuades the king to go eastward, and the Danes are westward.  They go westward, and the Danes are eastward.  There is no chieftain.  A witan is summoned; it will do no good.

November.—­

Northampton has fallen, cruelly fallen.  The town is burned, and all therein slain.