The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

Part 1: A.D. 1 - 748

Online Medieval and Classical Library Release#17

The island Britain (1) is 800 miles long, and 200 miles broad.And there are in the island five nations; English, Welsh (orBritish) (2), Scottish, Pictish, and Latin.  The firstinhabitants were the Britons, who came from Armenia (3), andfirst peopled Britain southward.  Then happened it, that thePicts came south from Scythia, with long ships, not many; and,landing first in the northern part of Ireland, they told theScots that they must dwell there.  But they would not give themleave; for the Scots told them that they could not all dwellthere together; "But," said the Scots, "we can nevertheless giveyou advice.  We know another island here to the east.  There youmay dwell, if you will; and whosoever withstandeth you, we willassist you, that you may gain it."  Then went the Picts andentered this land northward.  Southward the Britons possessed it,as we before said.  And the Picts obtained wives of the Scots, oncondition that they chose their kings always on the female side(4); which they have continued to do, so long since.  And ithappened, in the run of years, that some party of Scots went fromIreland into Britain, and acquired some portion of this land.Their leader was called Reoda (5), from whom they are namedDalreodi (or Dalreathians).Sixty winters ere that Christ was born, Caius Julius, emperor ofthe Romans, with eighty ships sought Britain.  There he was firstbeaten in a dreadful fight, and lost a great part of his army.Then he let his army abide with the Scots (6), and went southinto Gaul.  There he gathered six hundred ships, with which hewent back into Britain.  When they first rushed together,Caesar's tribune, whose name was Labienus (7), was slain.  Thentook the Welsh sharp piles, and drove them with great clubs intothe water, at a certain ford of the river called Thames.  Whenthe Romans found that, they would not go over the ford.  Thenfled the Britons to the fastnesses of the woods; and Caesar,having after much fighting gained many of the chief towns, wentback into Gaul (8).((B.C. 60.  Before the incarnation of Christ sixty years, GaiusJulius the emperor, first of the Romans, sought the land ofBritain; and he crushed the Britons in battle, and overcame them;and nevertheless he was unable to gain any empire there.))A.D. 1.  Octavianus reigned fifty-six winters; and in the forty-second year of his reign Christ was born.  Then three astrologersfrom the east came to worship Christ; and the children inBethlehem were slain by Herod in persecution of Christ.A.D. 3.  This year died Herod, stabbed by his own hand; andArchelaus his son succeeded him.  The child Christ was also thisyear brought back again from Egypt.A.D. 6.  From the beginning of the world to this year were agonefive thousand and two hundred winters.A.D. 11.  This year Herod the son of Antipater undertook thegovernment in Judea.A.D. 12.  This year Philip and Herod divided Judea into fourkingdoms.((A.D. 12.  This year Judea was divided into four tetrarchies.))A.D. 16.  This year Tiberius succeeded to the empire.A.D. 26.  This year Pilate began to reign over the Jews.A.D. 30.  This year was Christ baptized; and Peter and Andrewwere converted, together with James, and John, and Philip, andall the twelve apostles.A.D. 33.  This year was Christ crucified; (9) about five thousandtwo hundred and twenty six winters from the beginning of theworld. (10)A.D. 34.  This year was St. Paul converted, and St. Stephenstoned.A.D. 35.  This year the blessed Peter the apostle settled anepiscopal see in the city of Antioch.A.D. 37.  This year (11) Pilate slew himself with his own hand.A.D. 39.  This year Caius undertook the empire.A.D. 44.  This year the blessed Peter the apostle settled anepiscopal see at Rome; and James, the brother of John, was slainby Herod.A.D. 45.  This year died Herod, who slew James one year ere hisown death.A.D. 46.  This year Claudius, the second of the Roman emperorswho invaded Britain, took the greater part of the island into hispower, and added the Orkneys to rite dominion of the Romans.This was in the fourth year of his reign.  And in the same year(12) happened the great famine in Syria which Luke mentions inthe book called "The Acts of the Apostles".  After Claudius Nerosucceeded to the empire, who almost lost the island Britainthrough his incapacity.((A.D. 46.  This year the Emperor Claudius came to Britain, andsubdued a large part of the island; and he also added the islandof Orkney to the dominion of the Romans.))A.D. 47.  This year Mark, the evangelist in Egypt beginneth towrite the gospel.((A.D. 47.  This was in the fourth year of his reign, and in thissame year was the great famine in Syria which Luke speaks of inthe book called "Actus Apostolorum".))((A.D. 47.  This year Claudius, king of the Romans, went with anarmy into Britain, and subdued the island, and subjected all thePicts and Welsh to the rule of the Romans.))A.D. 50.  This year Paul was sent bound to Rome.A.D. 62.  This year James, the brother of Christ, suffered.A.D. 63.  This year Mark the evangelist departed this life.A.D. 69.  This year Peter and Paul suffered.A.D. 70.  This year Vespasian undertook the empire.A.D. 71.  This year Titus, son of Vespasian, slew in Jerusalemeleven hundred thousand Jews.A.D. 81.  This year Titus came to the empire, after Vespasian,who said that he considered the day lost in which he did no good.A.D. 83.  This year Domitian, the brother of Titus, assumed thegovernment.A.D. 84.  This year John the evangelist in the island Patmoswrote the book called "The Apocalypse".A.D. 90.  This year Simon, the apostle, a relation of Christ, wascrucified: and John the evangelist rested at Ephesus.A.D. 92.  This year died Pope Clement.A.D. 110.  This year Bishop Ignatius suffered.A.D. 116.  This year Hadrian the Caesar began to reign.A.D. 145.  This year Marcus Antoninus and Aurelius his brothersucceeded to the empire.((A.D. 167.  This year Eleutherius succeeded to the popedom, andheld it fifteen years; and in the same year Lucius, king of theBritons, sent and begged baptism of him.  And he soon sent ithim, and they continued in the true faith until the time ofDiocletian.))A.D. 189.  This year Severus came to the empire; and went withhis army into Britain, and subdued in battle a great part of theisland.  Then wrought he a mound of turf, with a broad wallthereupon, from sea to sea, for the defence of the Britons.  Hereigned seventeen years; and then ended his days at York.  Hisson Bassianus succeeded him in the empire.  His other son, whoperished, was called Geta.  This year Eleutherius undertook thebishopric of Rome, and held it honourably for fifteen winters.To him Lucius, king of the Britons, sent letters, and prayed thathe might be made a Christian.  He obtained his request; and theycontinued afterwards in the right belief until the reign ofDiocletian.A.D. 199.  In this year was found the holy rood. (13)A.D. 283.  This year suffered Saint Alban the Martyr.A.D. 343.  This year died St. Nicolaus.A.D. 379.  This year Gratian succeeded to the empire.A.D. 381.  This year Maximus the Caesar came to the empire.  Hewas born in the land of Britain, whence he passed over into Gaul.He there slew the Emperor Gratian; and drove his brother, whosename was Valentinian, from his country (Italy).  The sameValentinian afterwards collected an army, and slew Maximus;whereby he gained the empire.  About this time arose the error ofPelagius over the world.A.D. 418.  This year the Romans collected all the hoards of gold(14) that were in Britain; and some they hid in the earth, sothat no man afterwards might find them, and some they carriedaway with them into Gaul.A.D. 423.  This year Theodosius the younger succeeded to theempire.A.D. 429.  This year Bishop Palladius was sent from PopeCelesrinus to the Scots, that he might establish their faith.A.D. 430.  This year Patricius was sent from Pope Celestinus topreach baptism to the Scots.((A.D. 430.  This year Patrick was sent by Pope Celestine topreach baptism to the Scots.))A.D. 435.  This year the Goths sacked the city of Rome; and neversince have the Romans reigned in Britain.  This was about elevenhundred and ten winters after it was built.  They reignedaltogether in Britain four hundred and seventy winters sinceGaius Julius first sought that land.A.D. 443.  This year sent the Britons over sea to Rome, andbegged assistance against the Picts; but they had none, for theRomans were at war with Atila, king of the Huns.  Then sent theyto the Angles, and requested the same from the nobles of thatnation.A.D. 444.  This year died St. Martin.A.D. 448.  This year John the Baptist showed his head to twomonks, who came from the eastern country to Jerusalem for thesake of prayer, in the place that whilom was the palace of Herod.(15)A.D. 449.  This year Marcian and Valentinian assumed the empire,and reigned seven winters.  In their days Hengest and Horsa,invited by Wurtgern, king of the Britons to his assistance,landed in Britain in a place that is called Ipwinesfleet; firstof all to support the Britons, but they afterwards fought againstthem.  The king directed them to fight against the Picts; andthey did so; and obtained the victory wheresoever they came.They then sent to the Angles, and desired them to send moreassistance.  They described the worthlessness of the Britons, andthe richness of the land.  They then sent them greater support.Then came the men from three powers of Germany; the Old Saxons,the Angles, and the Jutes.  From the Jutes are descended the menof Kent, the Wightwarians (that is, the tribe that now dwellethin the Isle of Wight), and that kindred in Wessex that men yetcall the kindred of the Jutes.  From the Old Saxons came thepeople of Essex and Sussex and Wessex.  From Anglia, which hasever since remained waste between the Jutes and the Saxons, camethe East Angles, the Middle Angles, the Mercians, and all ofthose north of the Humber.  Their leaders were two brothers,Hengest and Horsa; who were the sons of Wihtgils; Wihtgils wasthe son of Witta, Witta of Wecta, Wecta of Woden.  From thisWoden arose all our royal kindred, and that of the Southumbriansalso.((A.D. 449.  And in their days Vortigern invited the Anglesthither, and they came to Britain in three ceols, at the placecalled Wippidsfleet.))A.D. 455.  This year Hengest and Horsa fought with Wurtgern theking on the spot that is called Aylesford.  His brother Horsabeing there slain, Hengest afterwards took to the kingdom withhis son Esc.A.D. 457.  This year Hengest and Esc fought with the Britons onthe spot that is called Crayford, and there slew four thousandmen.  The Britons then forsook the land of Kent, and in greatconsternation fled to London.A.D. 465.  This year Hengest and Esc fought with the Welsh, nighWippedfleet; and there slew twelve leaders, all Welsh.  On theirside a thane was there slain, whose name was Wipped.A.D. 473.  This year Hengest and Esc fought with the Welsh, andtook immense Booty.  And the Welsh fled from the English likefire.A.D. 477.  This year came Ella to Britain, with his three sons,Cymen, and Wlenking, and Cissa, in three ships; landing at aplace that is called Cymenshore.  There they slew many of theWelsh; and some in flight they drove into the wood that is calledAndred'sley.A.D. 482.  This year the blessed Abbot Benedict shone in thisworld, by the splendour of those virtues which the blessedGregory records in the book of Dialogues.A.D. 485.  This year Ella fought with the Welsh nigh Mecred's-Burnsted.A.D. 488.  This year Esc succeeded to the kingdom; and was kingof the men of Kent twenty-four winters.A.D. 490.  This year Ella and Cissa besieged the city of Andred,and slew all that were therein; nor was one Briten left thereafterwards.A.D. 495.  This year came two leaders into Britain, Cerdic andCynric his son, with five ships, at a place that is calledCerdic's-ore.  And they fought with the Welsh the same day.  Thenhe died, and his son Cynric succeeded to the government, and heldit six and twenty winters.  Then he died; and Ceawlin, his son,succeeded, who reigned seventeen years.  Then he died; and Ceolsucceeded to the government, and reigned five years.  When hedied, Ceolwulf, his brother, succeeded, and reigned seventeenyears.  Their kin goeth to Cerdic.  Then succeeded Cynebils,Ceolwulf's brother's son, to the kingdom; and reigned one andthirty winters.  And he first of West-Saxon kings receivedbaptism.  Then succeeded Cenwall, who was the son of Cynegils,and reigned one and thirty winters.  Then held Sexburga, hisqueen, the government one year after him.  Then succeeded Escwineto the kingdom, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and held it two years.Then succeeded Centwine, the son of Cynegils, to the kingdom ofthe West-Saxons, and reigned nine years.  Then succeeded Ceadwallto the government, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and held it threeyears.  Then succeeded Ina to the kingdom of the West-Saxons,whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and reigned thirty-seven winters.Then succeeded Ethelheard, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and reignedsixteen years.  Then succeeded Cuthred, whose kin goeth toCerdic, and reigned sixteen winters.  Then succeeded Sigebriht,whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and reigned one year.  Then succeededCynwulf, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and reigned one and thirtywinters.  Then succeeded Brihtric, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, andreigned sixteen years.  Then succeeded Egbert to the kingdom, andheld it seven and thirty winters, and seven months.  Thensucceeded Ethelwulf, his son, and reigned eighteen years and ahalf.  Ethelwulf was the son of Egbert, Egbert of Ealmund,Ealmund of Eafa, Eafa of Eoppa, Eoppa of Ingild, Ingild of Cenred(Ina of Cenred, Cuthburga of Cenred, and Cwenburga of Cenred),Cenred of Ceolwald, Ceolwald of Cuthwulf, Cuthwulf of Cuthwine,Cuthwine of Celm, Celm of Cynric, Cynric of Creoda, Creoda ofCerdic.  Then succeeded Ethelbald, the son of Ethelwulf, to thekingdom, and held it five years.  Then succeeded Ethelbert, hisbrother, and reigned five years.  Then succeeded Ethelred, hisbrother, to the kingdom, and held it five years.  Then succeededAlfred, their brother, to the government.  And then had elapsedof his age three and twenty winters, and three hundred andninety-six winters from the time when his kindred first gainedthe land of Wessex from the Welsh.  And he held the kingdom ayear and a half less than thirty winters.  Then succeeded Edward,the son of Alfred, and reigned twenty-four winters.  When hedied, then succeeded Athelstan, his son, and reigned fourteenyears and seven weeks and three days.  Then succeeded Edmund, hisbrother, and reigned six years and a half, wanting two nights.Then succeeded Edred, his brother, and reigned nine years and sixweeks.  Then succeeded Edwy, the son of Edmund, and reigned threeyears and thirty-six weeks, wanting two days.  When he died, thensucceeded Edgar, his brother, and reigned sixteen years and eightweeks and two nights.  When he died, then succeeded Edward, theson of Edgar, and reigned --A.D. 501.  This year Porta and his two sons, Beda and Mela, cameinto Britain, with two ships, at a place called Portsmouth.  Theysoon landed, and slew on the spot a young Briton of very highrank.A.D. 508.  This year Cerdic and Cynric slew a British king, whosename was Natanleod, and five thousand men with him.  After thiswas the land named Netley, from him, as far as Charford.A.D. 509.  This year St. Benedict, the abbot, father of all themonks, (16) ascended to heaven.A.D. 514.  This year came the West-Saxons into Britain, withthree ships, at the place that is called Cerdic's-ore.  And Stuffand Wihtgar fought with the Britons, and put them to flight.A.D. 519.  This year Cerdic and Cynric undertook the governmentof the West-Saxons; the same year they fought with the Britons ata place now called Charford.  From that day have reigned thechildren of the West-Saxon kings.A.D. 527.  This year Cerdic and Cynric fought with the Britons inthe place that is called Cerdic's-ley.A.D. 530.  This year Cerdic and Cynric took the isle of Wight,and slew many men in Carisbrook.A.D. 534.  This year died Cerdic, the first king of the West-Saxons.  Cynric his son succeeded to the government, and reignedafterwards twenty-six winters.  And they gave to their twonephews, Stuff and Wihtgar, the whole of the Isle of Wight.A.D. 538.  This year the sun was eclipsed, fourteen days beforethe calends of March, from before morning until nine.A.D. 540.  This year the sun was eclipsed on the twelfth daybefore the calends of July; and the stars showed themselves fullnigh half an hour over nine.A.D. 544.  This year died Wihtgar; and men buried him atCarisbrook.A.D. 547.  This year Ida began his reign; from whom first arosethe royal kindred of the Northumbrians.  Ida was the son ofEoppa, Eoppa of Esa, Esa of Ingwy, Ingwy of Angenwit, Angenwit ofAlloc, Alloc of Bennoc, Bennoc of Brand, Brand of Balday, Baldayof Woden.  Woden of Fritholaf, Fritholaf of Frithowulf,Frithowulf of Finn, Finn of Godolph, Godolph of Geata. Idareigned twelve years.  He built Bamburgh-Castle, which was firstsurrounded with a hedge, and afterwards with a wall.A.D. 552.  This year Cynric fought with the Britons on the spotthat is called Sarum, and put them to flight.  Cerdic was thefather of Cynric, Cerdic was the son of Elesa, Elesa of Esla,Esla of Gewis, Gewis of Wye, Wye of Frewin, Frewin of Frithgar,Frithgar of Brand, Brand of Balday, Balday of Woden.  In thisyear Ethelbert, the son of Ermenric, was born, who on the two andthirtieth year of his reign received the rite of baptism, thefirst of all the kings in Britain.A.D. 556.  This year Cynric and Ceawlin fought with the Britonsat Beranbury.A.D. 560.  This year Ceawlin undertook the government of theWest-Saxons; and Ella, on the death of Ida, that of theNorthumbrians; each of whom reigned thirty winters.  Ella was theson of Iff, Iff of Usfrey, Usfrey of Wilgis, Wilgis ofWesterfalcon, Westerfalcon of Seafowl, Seafowl of Sebbald,Sebbald of Sigeat, Sigeat of Swaddy, Swaddy of Seagirt, Seagar ofWaddy, Waddy of Woden, Woden of Frithowulf.  This year Ethelbertcame to the kingdom of the Cantuarians, and held it fifty-threewinters.  In his days the holy Pope Gregory sent us baptism.That was in the two and thirtieth year of his reign.  AndColumba, the mass-priest, came to the Picts, and converted themto the belief of Christ.  They are the dwellers by the northernmoors.  And their king gave him the island of Hii, consisting offive hides, as they say, where Columba built a monastary.  Therehe was abbot two and thirty winters; and there he died, when hewas seventy-seven years old.  The place his successors yet have.The Southern Picts were long before baptized by Bishop Ninnia,who was taught at Rome.  His church or monastery is at Hwiterne,hallowed in the name of St. Martin, where he resteth with manyholy men.  Now, therefore, shall there be ever in Hii an abbot,and no bishop; and to him shall be subject all the bishops of theScots; because Columba was an abbot -- no bishop.((A.D. 565.  This year Columba the presbyter came from the Scotsamong the Britons, to instruct the Picts, and he built amonastery in the island of Hii.))A.D. 568.  This year Ceawlin, and Cutha the brother of Ceawlin,fought with Ethelbert, and pursued him into Kent.  And they slewtwo aldermen at Wimbledon, Oslake and Cnebba.A.D. 571.  This year Cuthulf fought with the Britons at Bedford,and took four towns, Lenbury, Aylesbury, Benson, and Ensham.  Andthis same year he died.A.D. 577.  This year Cuthwin and Ceawlin fought with the Britons,and slew three kings, Commail, and Condida, and Farinmail, on thespot that is called Derham, and took from them three cities,Gloucester, Cirencester, and Bath.A.D. 583.  This year Mauricius succeeded to the empire of theRomans.A.D. 584.  This year Ceawlin and Cutha fought with the Britons onthe spot that is called Fretherne.  There Cutha was slain.  AndCeawlin took many towns, as well as immense booty and wealth.  Hethen retreated to his own people.A.D. 588.  This year died King Ella; and Ethelric reigned afterhim five years.A.D. 591.  This year there was a great slaughter of Britons atWanborough; Ceawlin was driven from his kingdom, and Ceolricreigned six years.A.D. 592.  This year Gregory succeeded to the papacy at Rome.A.D. 593.  This year died Ceawlin, and Cwichelm, and Cryda; andEthelfrith succeeded to the kingdom of the Northumbrians.  He wasthe son of Ethelric; Ethelric of Ida.A.D. 596.  This year Pope Gregory sent Augustine to Britain withvery many monks, to preach the word of God to the English people.A.D. 597.  This year began Ceolwulf to reign over the West-Saxons; and he constantly fought and conquered, either with theAngles, or the Welsh, or the Picts, or the Scots.  He was the sonof Cutha, Cutha of Cynric, Cynric of Cerdic, Cerdic of Elesa,Elesa of Gewis, Gewis of Wye, Wye of Frewin, Frewin of Frithgar,Frithgar of Brand, Brand of Balday, and Balday of Woden.  Thisyear came Augustine and his companions to England. (17)A.D. 601.  This year Pope Gregory sent the pall to ArchbishopAugustine in Britain, with very many learned doctors to assisthim; and Bishop Paulinus converted Edwin, king of theNorthumbrians, to baptism.A.D. 603. This year Aeden, king of the Scots, fought with theDalreathians, and with Ethelfrith, king of the Northumbrians, atTheakstone; where he lost almost all his army.  Theobald also,brother of Ethelfrith, with his whole armament, was slain.  Noneof the Scottish kings durst afterwards bring an army against thisnation.  Hering, the son of Hussa, led the army thither.((A.D. 603.  This year Aethan, King of the Scots, fought againstthe Dalreods and against Ethelfrith, king of the North-humbrians,at Daegsanstane [Dawston?], and they slew almost all his army.There Theodbald, Ethelfrith's brother, was slain with all hisband.  Since then no king of the Scots has dared to lead an armyagainst this nation.  Hering, the son of Hussa, led the enemythither.))A.D. 604.  This year Augustine consecrated two bishops, Mellitusand Justus.  Mellitus he sent to preach baptism to the East-Saxons.  Their king was called Seabert, the son of Ricola,Ethelbert's sister, whom Ethelbert placed there as king.Ethelbert also gave Mellitus the bishopric of London; and toJustus he gave the bishopric of Rochester, which is twenty-fourmiles from Canterbury.((A.D. 604.  This year Augustine consecrated two bishops,Mellitus and Justus.  He sent Mellitus to preach baptism to theEast-Saxons, whose king was called Sebert, son of Ricole, thesister of Ethelbert, and whom Ethelbert had there appointed king.And Ethelbert gave Mellitus a bishop's see in London, and toJustus he gave Rochester, which is twenty-four miles fromCanterbury.))A.D. 606.  This year died Gregory; about ten years since he sentus baptism.  His father was called Gordianus, and his motherSilvia.A.D. 607.  This year Ceolwulf fought with the South-Saxons.  AndEthelfrith led his army to Chester; where he slew an innumerablehost of the Welsh; and so was fulfilled the prophecy ofAugustine, wherein he saith "If the Welsh will not have peacewith us, they shall perish at the hands of the Saxons."  Therewere also slain two hundred priests, (18) who came thither topray for the army of the Welsh.  Their leader was calledBrocmail, who with some fifty men escaped thence.A.D. 611.  This year Cynegils succeeded to the government inWessex, and held it one and thirty winters.  Cynegils was the sonof Ceol, Ceol of Cutha, Cutha of Cynric.A.D. 614.  This year Cynegils and Cwichelm fought at Bampton, andslew two thousand and forty-six of the Welsh.A.D. 616.  This year died Ethelbert, king of Kent, the first ofEnglish kings that received baptism: he was the son of Ermenric.He reigned fifty-six winters, and was succeeded by his sonEadbald.  And in this same year had elapsed from the beginning ofthe world five thousand six hundred and eighteen winters.  ThisEadbald renounced his baptism, and lived in a heathen manner; sothat he took to wife the relict of his father.  Then Laurentius,who was archbishop in Kent, meant to depart southward over sea,and abandon everything.  But there came to him in the night theapostle Peter, and severely chastised him, (19) because he wouldso desert the flock of God.  And he charged him to go to theking, and teach him the right belief.  And he did so; and theking returned to the right belief.  In this king's days the sameLaurentius, who was archbishop in Kent after Augustine, departedthis life on the second of February, and was buried nearAugustine.  The holy Augustine in his lifetime invested himbishop, to the end that the church of Christ, which yet was newin England, should at no time after his decease be without anarchbishop.  After him Mellitus, who was first Bishop of London,succeeded to the archbishopric.  The people of London, whereMellitus was before, were then heathens: and within five wintersof this time, during the reign of Eadbald, Mellitus died.  To himsucceeded Justus, who was Bishop of Rochester, whereto heconsecrated Romanus bishop.((A.D. 616.  In that time Laurentius was archbishop, and for thesorrowfulness which he had on account of the king's unbelief hewas minded to forsake this country entirely, and go over sea; butSt. Peter the apostle scourged him sorely one night, because hewished thus to forsake the flock of God, and commanded him toteach boldly the true faith to the king; and he did so, and theking turned to the right (faith).  In the days of this same king,Eadbald, this Laurentius died.  The holy Augustine, while yet insound health, ordained him bishop, in order that the community ofChrist, which was yet new in England, should not after hisdecease be at any time without an archbishop.  After himMellitus, who had been previously Bishop of London, succeeded tothe archbishopric.  And within five years of the decease ofLaurentius, while Eadbald still reigned, Mellitus departed toChrist.))A.D. 617.  This year was Ethelfrith, king of the Northumbrians,slain by Redwald, king of the East-Angles; and Edwin, the son ofElla, having succeeded to the kingdom, subdued all Britain,except the men of Kent alone, and drove out the Ethelings, thesons of Ethelfrith, namely, Enfrid. Oswald, Oswy, Oslac, Oswood.Oslaf, and Offa.A.D. 624.  This year died Archbishop Mellitus.A.D. 625.  This year Paulinus was invested bishop of theNorthumbrians, by Archbishop Justus, on the twelfth day beforethe calends of August.((A.D. 625.  This year Archbishop Justus consecrated Paulinusbishop of the North-humbrians.))A.D. 626.  This year came Eamer from Cwichelm, king of the West-Saxons, with a design to assassinate King Edwin; but he killedLilla his thane, and Forthere, and wounded the king.  The samenight a daughter was born to Edwin, whose name was Eanfleda.Then promised the king to Paulinus, that he would devote hisdaughter to God, if he would procure at the hand of God, that hemight destroy his enemy, who had sent the assassin to him.  Hethen advanced against the West-Saxons with an army, felled on thespot five kings, and slew many of their men.  This year Eanfleda,the daughter of King Edwin, was baptized, on the holy eve ofPentecost.  And the king within twelve months was baptized, atEaster, with all his people.  Easter was then on the twelfth ofApril.  This was done at York, where he had ordered a church tobe built of timber, which was hallowed in the name of St. Peter.There the king gave the bishopric to Paulinus; and there heafterwards ordered a larger church to be built of stone.  Thisyear Penda began to reign; and reigned thirty winters.  He hadseen fifty winters when he began to reign.  Penda was the son ofWybba, Wybba of Creoda, Creoda of Cynewald, Cynewald of Cnebba,Cnebba of Icel, Icel of Eomer, Eomer of Angelthew, Angelthew ofOffa, Offa of Wearmund, Wearmund of Whitley, Whitley of Woden.A.D. 627.  This year was King Edwin baptized at Easter, with allhis people, by Paulinus, who also preached baptism in Lindsey,where the first person who believed was a certain rich man, ofthe name of Bleek, with all his people.  At this time Honoriussucceeded Boniface in the papacy, and sent hither to Paulinus thepall; and Archbishop Justus having departed this life on thetenth of November, Honorius was consecrated at Lincoln Archbishopof Canterbury by Paulinus; and Pope Honorius sent him the pall.And he sent an injunction to the Scots, that they should returnto the right celebration of Easter.((A.D. 627.  This year, at Easter, Paulinus baptized Edwin kingof the North-humbrians, with his people; and earlier within thesame year, at Pentecost, he had baptized Eanfled, daughter of thesame king.))A.D. 628.  This year Cynegils and Cwichelm fought with Penda atCirencester, and afterwards entered into a treaty there.A.D. 632.  This year was Orpwald baptized.A.D. 633.  This year King Edwin was slain by Cadwalla and Penda,on Hatfield moor, on the fourteenth of October.  He reignedseventeen years.  His son Osfrid was also slain with him.  Afterthis Cadwalla and Penda went and ravaged all the land of theNorthumbrians; which when Paulinus saw, he took Ethelburga, therelict of Edwin, and went by ship to Kent.  Eadbald and Honoriusreceived him very honourably, and gave him the bishopric ofRochester, where he continued to his death.A.D. 634.  This year Osric, whom Paulinus baptized, succeeded tothe government of Deira.  He was the son of Elfric, the uncle ofEdwin.  And to Bernicia succeeded Eanfrith, son of Ethelfrith.This year also Bishop Birinus first preached baptism to the West-Saxons, under King Cynegils.  The said Birinus went thither bythe command of Pope Honorius; and he was bishop there to the endof his life.  Oswald also this year succeeded to the governmentof the Northumbrians, and reigned nine winters.  The ninth yearwas assigned to him on account of the heathenism in which thoselived who reigned that one year betwixt him and Edwin.A.D. 635.  This year King Cynegils was baptized by Bishop Birinusat Dorchester; and Oswald, king of the Northumbrians, was hissponsor.A.D. 636.  This year King Cwichelm was baptized at Dorchester,and died the same year.  Bishop Felix also preached to the East-Angles the belief of Christ.A.D. 639.  This year Birinus baptized King Cuthred at Dorchester,and received him as his son.A.D. 640.  This year died Eadbald, King of Kent, after a reign oftwenty-five winters.  He had two sons, Ermenred and Erkenbert;and Erkenbert reigned there after his father.  He overturned allthe idols in the kingdom, and first of English kings appointed afast before Easter.  His daughter was called Ercongota -- holydamsel of an illustrious sire!  whose mother was Sexburga, thedaughter of Anna, king of the East-Angles.  Ermenred also begattwo sons, who were afterwards martyred by Thunnor.A.D. 642.  This year Oswald, king of the Northumbrians, was slainby Penda, king of the Southumbrians, at Mirfield, on the fifthday of August; and his body was buried at Bardney.  His holinessand miracles were afterwards displayed on manifold occasionsthroughout this island; and his hands remain still uncorrupted atBarnburgh.  The same year in which Oswald was slain, Oswy hisbrother succeeded to the government of the Northumbrians, andreigned two less than thirty years.A.D. 643.  This year Kenwal succeeded to the kingdom of the West-Saxons, and held it one and thirty winters.  This Kenwal orderedthe old (20) church at Winchester to be built in the name of St.Peter.  He was the son of Cynegils.A.D. 644.  This year died at Rochester, on the tenth of October,Paulinus, who was first Archbishop at York, and afterwards atRochester.  He was bishop nineteen winters, two months, and oneand twenty days.  This year the son of Oswy's uncle (Oswin), theson of Osric, assumed the government of Deira, and reigned sevenwinters.A.D. 645.  This year King Kenwal was driven from his dominion byKing Penda.A.D. 646.  This year King Kenwal was baptized.A.D. 648.  This year Kenwal gave his relation Cuthred threethousand hides of land by Ashdown.  Cuthred was the son ofCwichelm, Cwichelm of Cynegils.A.D. 650.  This year Egelbert, from Gaul, after Birinus theRomish bishop, obtained the bishopric of the West-Saxons.((A.D. 650.  This year Birinus the bishop died, and Agilbert theFrenchman was ordained.))A.D. 651.  This year King Oswin was slain, on the twentieth dayof August; and within twelve nights afterwards died Bishop Aidan,on the thirty-first of August.A.D. 652.  This year Kenwal fought at Bradford by the Avon.A.D. 653.  This year, the Middle-Angles under alderman Peadareceived the right belief.A.D. 654.  This year King Anna was slain, and Botolph began tobuild that minster at Icanhoe.  This year also died ArchbishopHonorius, on the thirtieth of September.A.D. 655.  This year Penda was slain at Wingfield, and thirtyroyal personages with him, some of whom were kings.  One of themwas Ethelhere, brother of Anna, king of the East-Angles.  TheMercians after this became Christians.  From the beginning of theworld had now elapsed five thousand eight hundred and fiftywinters, when Peada, the son of Penda, assumed the government ofthe Mercians.  In his time came together himself and Oswy,brother of King Oswald, and said, that they would rear a minsterto the glory of Christ, and the honour of St. Peter.  And theydid so, and gave it the name of Medhamsted; because there is awell there, called Meadswell.  And they began the groundwall, andwrought thereon; after which they committed the work to a monk,whose name was Saxulf.  He was very much the friend of God, andhim also loved all people.  He was nobly born in the world, andrich: he is now much richer with Christ.  But King Peada reignedno while; for he was betrayed by his own queen, in Easter-tide.This year Ithamar, Bishop of Rochester, consecrated Deus-dedit toCanterbury, on the twenty-sixth day of March.A.D. 656.  This year was Peada slain; and Wulfhere, son of Penda,succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians.  In his time waxed theabbey of Medhamsted very rich, which his brother had begun.  Theking loved it much, for the love of his brother Peada, and forthe love of his wed-brother Oswy, and for the love of Saxulf theabbot.  He said, therefore, that he would dignify and honour itby the counsel of his brothers, Ethelred and Merwal; and by thecounsel of his sisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha; and by thecounsel of the archbishop, who was called Deus-dedit; and by thecounsel of all his peers, learned and lewd, that in his kingdomwere.  And he so did.  Then sent the king after the abbot, thathe should immediately come to him.  And he so did.  Then said theking to the abbot: "Beloved Saxulf, I have sent after thee forthe good of my soul; and I will plainly tell thee for why.  Mybrother Peada and my beloved friend Oswy began a minster, for thelove of Christ and St. Peter: but my brother, as Christ willed,is departed from this life; I will therefore intreat thee,beloved friend, that they earnestly proceed on their work; and Iwill find thee thereto gold and silver, land and possessions, andall that thereto behoveth."  Then went the abbot home, and beganto work.  So he sped, as Christ permitted him; so that in a fewyears was that minster ready.  Then, when the king heard saythat, he was very glad; and bade men send through all the nation,after all his thanes; after the archbishop, and after bishops:and after his earls; and after all those that loved God; thatthey should come to him.  And he fixed the day when men shouldhallow the minster.  And when they were hallowing the minster,there was the king, Wulfere, and his brother Ethelred, and hissisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha.  And the minster was hallowedby Archbishop Deusdedit of Canterbury; and the Bishop ofRochester, Ithamar; and the Bishop of London, who was calledWina; and the Bishop of the Mercians, whose name was Jeruman; andBishop Tuda.  And there was Wilfrid, priest, that after wasbishop; and there were all his thanes that were in his kingdom.When the minster was hallowed, in the name of St. Peter, and St.Paul, and St. Andrew, then stood up the king before all histhanes, and said with a loud voice: "Thanks be to the highalmighty God for this worship that here is done; and I will thisday glorify Christ and St. Peter, and I will that you all confirmmy words. -- I Wulfere give to-day to St. Peter, and the AbbotSaxulf, and the monks of the minster, these lands, and thesewaters, and meres, and fens, and weirs, and all the lands thatthereabout lye, that are of my kingdom, freely, so that no manhave there any ingress, but the abbot and the monks.  This is thegift.  From Medhamsted to Northborough; and so to the place thatis called Foleys; and so all the fen, right to Ashdike; and fromAshdike to the place called Fethermouth; and so in a right lineten miles long to Ugdike; and so to Ragwell; and from Ragwellfive miles to the main river that goeth to Elm and to Wisbeach;and so about three miles to Trokenholt; and from Trokenholt rightthrough all the fen to Derworth; that is twenty miles long; andso to Great Cross; and from Great Cross through a clear watercalled Bradney; and thence six miles to Paxlade; and so forththrough all the meres and fens that lye toward Huntingdon-port;and the meres and lakes Shelfermere and Wittlesey mere, and allthe others that thereabout lye; with land and with houses thatare on the east side of Shelfermere; thence all the fens toMedhamsted; from Medhamsted all to Welmsford; from Welmsford toClive; thence to Easton; from Easton to Stamford; from Stamfordas the water runneth to the aforesaid Northborough." -- These arethe lands and the fens that the king gave unto St. Peter'sminster. -- Then quoth the king: "It is little -- this gift --but I will that they hold it so royally and so freely, that therebe taken there from neither gild nor gable, but for the monksalone.  Thus I will free this minster; that it be not subjectexcept to Rome alone; and hither I will that we seek St. Peter,all that to Rome cannot go."  During these words the abbotdesired that he would gant him his request.  And the king grantedit.  "I have here (said he) some good monks that would lead theirlife in retirement, if they wist where.  Now here is an island,that is called Ankerig; and I will request, that we may therebuild a minster to the honour of St. Mary; that they may dwellthere who will lead their lives in peace and tranquillity."  Thenanswered the king, and quoth thus: "Beloved Saxulf, not that onlywhich thou desirest, but all things that I know thou desirest inour Lord's behalf, so I approve, and grant.  And I bid thee,brother Ethelred, and my sisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha, forthe release of your souls, that you be witnesses, and that yousubscribe it with your fingers.  And I pray all that come afterme, be they my sons, be they my brethren, or kings that comeafter me, that our gift may stand; as they would be partakers ofthe life everlasting, and as they would avoid everlastingpunishment.  Whoso lesseneth our gift, or the gift of other goodmen, may the heavenly porter lessen him in the kingdom of heaven;and whoso advanceth it, may the heavenly porter advance him inthe kingdom of heaven."  These are the witnesses that were there,and that subscribed it with their fingers on the cross of Christ,and confirmed it with their tongues.  That was, first the king,Wulfere, who confirmed it first with his word, and afterwardswrote with his finger on the cross of Christ, saying thus: "IWulfere, king, in the presence of kings, and of earls, and ofcaptains, and of thanes, the witnesses of my gift, before theArchbishop Deus-dedit, I confirm it with the cross of Christ."(+) -- "And I Oswy, king of the Northumbrians, the friend of thisminster, and oœ the Abbot Saxulf, commend it with the cross ofChrist." (+) -- "And I Sighere, king, ratify it with the cross ofChrist." (+) -- "And I Sibbi, king, subscribe it with the crossof Christ." (+) -- "And I Ethelred, the king's brother, grantedthe same with the cross of Christ." (+) -- "And we, the king'ssisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha, approve it." -- "And IArchbishop of Canterbury, Deus-dedit, ratify it." -- Thenconfirmed it all the others that were there with the cross ofChrist (+): namely, Ithamar, Bishop of Rochester; Wina, Bishop ofLondon; Jeruman, Bishop of the Mercians; and Tuda, bishop; andWilfrid, priest, who was afterwards bishop; and Eoppa, priest,whom the king, Wulfere, sent to preach christianity in the Isleof Wight; and Saxulf, abbot; and Immine, alderman, and Edbert,alderman, and Herefrith, alderman, and Wilbert, alderman, andAbo, alderman; Ethelbald, Brord, Wilbert, Elmund, Frethegis. These, and many others that were there, the king's most loyalsubjects, confirmed it all.  This charter was written after ourLord's Nativity 664 -- the seventh year of King Wulfere -- theninth year of Archbishop Deus-dedir.  Then they laid God's curse,and the curse of all saints, and all christian folks, onwhosoever undid anything that there was done.  "So be it," saithall.  "Amen." -- When this thing was done, then sent the king toRome to the Pope Vitalianus that then was, and desired, that hewould ratify with his writ and with his blessing, all thisaforesaid thing.  And the pope then sent his writ, thus saying:"I Vitalianus, pope, grant thee, King Wulfere, and Deus-dedit,archbishop, and Abbot Saxulf, all the things that you desire. And I forbid, that any king, or any man, have any ingress, butthe abbot alone; nor shall he be Subject to any man, except thePope of Rome and the Archbishop of Canterbury.  If any onebreaketh anything of this, St. Peter with his sword destroy him.Whosoever holdeth it, St. Peter with heaven's key undo him thekingdom of heaven." -- Thus was the minster of Medhamsted begun,that was afterwards called Peter-borough.  Afterwards cameanother archbishop to Canterbury, who was called Theodorus; avery good man and wise; and held his synod with his bishops andwith his clerk.  There was Wilfrid, bishop of the Mercians,deprived of his bishopric; and Saxulf, abbot, was there chosenbishop; and Cuthbald, monk of the same minster, was chosen abbot.This synod was holden after our Lord's Nativity six hundred andseventy-three winters.A.D. 658.  This year Kenwal fought with the Welsh at Pen, andpursued them to the Parret.  This battle was fought after hisreturn from East-Anglia, where he was three years in exile. Penda had driven him thither and deprived him of his kingdom,because he had discarded his sister.A.D. 660.  This year Bishop Egelbert departed from Kenwal; andWina held the bishopric three years.  And Egbert accepted thebishopric of Paris, in Gaul, by the Seine.A.D. 661.  This year, at Easter, Kenwal fought at Pontesbury; andWulfere, the son of Penda, pursued him as far as Ashdown. Cuthred, the son of Cwichelm, and King Kenbert, died in one year.Into the Isle of Wight also Wulfere, the son of Penda,penetrated, and transferred the inhabitants to Ethelwald, king ofthe South-Saxons, because Wulfere adopted him in baptism.  AndEoppa, a mass-priest, by command of Wilfrid and King Wulfere, wasthe first of men who brought baptism to the people of the Isle ofWight.A.D. 664.  This year the sun was eclipsed, on the eleventh ofMay; and Erkenbert, King of Kent, having died, Egbert his sonsucceeded to the kingdom.  Colman with his companions this yearreturned to his own country.  This same year there was a greatplague in the island Britain, in which died Bishop Tuda, who wasburied at Wayleigh -- Chad and Wilferth were consecrated -- AndArchbishop Deus-dedit died.A.D. 667.  This year Oswy and Egbert sent Wighard, a priest, toRome, that he might be consecrated there Archbishop ofCanterbury; but he died as soon as he came thither.((A.D. 667.  This year Wighard went to Rome, even as King Oswy,and Egbert had sent him.))A.D. 668.  This year Theodore was consecrated archbishop, andsent into Britain.A.D. 669.  This year King Egbert gave to Bass, a mass-priest,Reculver -- to build a minster upon.A.D. 670.  This year died Oswy, King of Northumberland, on thefifteenth day before the calends of March; and Egferth his sonreigned after him.  Lothere, the nephew of Bishop Egelbert,succeeded to the bishopric over the land of the West-Saxons, andheld it seven years.  He was consecrated by Archbishop Theodore.Oswy was the son of Ethelfrith, Ethelfrith of Ethelric, Ethelricof Ida, Ida of Eoppa.A.D. 671.  This year happened that great destruction among thefowls.A.D. 672.  This year died King Cenwal; and Sexburga his queenheld the government one year after him.A.D. 673.  This year died Egbert, King of Kent; and the same yearthere was a synod at Hertford; and St. Etheldritha began thatmonastery at Ely.A.D. 674.  This year Escwin succeeded to the kingdom of Wessex.He was the son of Cenfus, Cenfus of Cenferth, Cenferth ofCuthgils, Cuthgils of Ceolwulf, Ceolwulf of Cynric, Cynric ofCerdic.A.D. 675.  This year Wulfere, the son of Penda, and Escwin, theson of Cenfus, fought at Bedwin.  The same year died Wulfere, andEthelred succeeded to the government.  In his time sent he toRome Bishop Wilfrid to the pope that then was, called Agatho, andtold him by word and by letter, how his brothers Peada andWulfere, and the Abbot Saxulf, had wrought a minster, calledMedhamsted; and that they had freed it, against king and againstbishop, from every service; and he besought him that he wouldconfirm it with his writ and with his blessing.  And the popesent then his writ to England, thus saying: "I Agatho, Pope ofRome, greet well the worthy Ethelred, king of the Mercians, andthe Archbishop Theodorus of Canterbury, and Saxulf, the bishop ofthe Mercians, who before was abbot, and all the abbots that arein England; God's greeting and my blessing.  I have heard thepetition of King Ethelred, and of the Archbishop Theodorus, andof the Bishop Saxulf, and of the Abbot Cuthbald; and I will it,that it in all wise be as you have spoken it.  And I ordain, inbehalf of God, and of St. Peter, and of all saints, and of everyhooded head, that neither king, nor bishop, nor earl, nor any manwhatever, have any claim, or gable, or gild, or levy, or take anyservice of any kind, from the abbey of Medhamsted.  I commandalso, that no shire-bishop be so bold as to hold an ordination orconsecration within this abbacy, except the abbot intreat him,nor have there any claim to proxies, or synodals, or anythingwhatever of any kind.  And I will, that the abbot be holden forlegate of Rome over all that island; and whatever abbot is therechosen by the monks that he be consecrated by the Archbishop ofCanterbury.  I will and decree, that, whatever man may have madea vow to go to Rome, and cannot perform it, either frominfirmity, or for his lord's need, or from poverty, or from anyother necessity of any kind whatever, whereby he cannot comethither, be he of England, or of whatever other island he be, hemay come to that minster of Medhamsted, and have the sameforgiveness of Christ and St. Peter, and of the abbot, and of themonks, that he should have if he went to Rome.  Now bid I thee,brother Theodorus, that thou let it be proclaimed through allEngland, that a synod be gathered, and this writ be read andobserved.  Also I tell thee, Bishop Saxulf, that, as thoudesirest it, that the minster be free, so I forbid thee, and allthe bishops that after thee come, from Christ and from all hissaints, that ye have no demand from that minster, except so muchas the abbot will.  Now will I say in a word, that, whoso holdeththis writ and this decree, then be he ever dwelling with GodAlmighty in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoso breaketh it, thenbe he excommunicated, and thrust down with Judas, and with allthe devils in hell, except he come to repentance.  Amen!"  Thiswrit sent the Pope Agatho, and a hundred and twenty-five bishops,by Wilfrid, Archbishop of York, to England.  This was done afterour Lord's Nativity 680, the sixth year of King Ethelred.  Thenthe king commanded the Archbishop Theodorus, that he shouldappoint a general Wittenmoot at the place called Hatfield.  Whenthey were there collected, then he allowed the letter to be readthat the pope sent thither; and all ratified and confirmed it.Then said the king: "All things that my brother Peada, and mybrother Wulfere, and my sisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha, gaveand granted to St. Peter and the abbot, these I will may stand;and I will in my day increase it, for their souls and for mysoul.  Now give I St. Peter to-day into his minster, Medhamsted,these lands, and all that thereto lyeth; that is, Bredon,Repings, Cadney, Swineshead, Hanbury, Lodeshall, Scuffanhall,Cosford, Stratford, Wattleburn, Lushgard, Ethelhun-island,Bardney.  These lands I give St. Peter just as freely as Ipossessed them myself; and so, that none of my successors takeanything therefrom.  Whoso doeth it, have he the curse of thePope of Rome, and the curse of all bishops, and of all those thatare witnesses here.  And this I confirm with the token ofChrist." (+)  "I Theodorus, Archbishop of Canterbury, am witnessto this charter of Medhamsted; and I ratify it with my hand, andI excommunicate all that break anything thereof; and I bless allthat hold it." (+)  "I Wilfrid, Archbishop of York, am witness tothis charter; and I ratify this same curse." (+)  "I Saxulf, whowas first abbot, and now am bishop, I give my curse, and that ofall my successors, to those who break this." -- "I Ostritha,Ethelred's queen, confirm it." -- "I Adrian, legate, ratify it." -- "I Putta, Bishop of Rochester, subscribe it." -- "I Waldhere,Bishop of London, confirm it." -- "I Cuthbald, abbot, ratify it;so that, whoso breaketh it, have he the cursing of all bishopsand of all christian folk.  Amen."A.D. 676.  This year, in which Hedda succeeded to his bishopric,Escwin died; and Centwin obtained the government of the West-Saxons.  Centwin was the son of Cynegils, Cynegils of Ceolwulf.Ethelred, king of the Mercians, in the meantime, overran the landof Kent.A.D. 678.  This year appeared the comet-star in August, and shoneevery morning, during three months, like a sunbeam.  BishopWilfrid being driven from his bishopric by King Everth, twobishops were consecrated in his stead, Bosa over the Deirians,and Eata over the Bernicians.  About the same time also Eadhedwas consecrated bishop over the people of Lindsey, being thefirst in that division.A.D. 679.  This year Elwin was slain, by the river Trent, on thespot where Everth and Ethelred fought.  This year also died St.Etheldritha; and the monastery of Coldingiham was destroyed byfire from heaven.A.D. 680.  This year Archbishop Theodore appointed a synod atHatfield; because he was desirous of rectifying the belief ofChrist; and the same year died Hilda, Abbess of Whitby.A.D. 681.  This year Trumbert was consecrated Bishop of Hexham,and Trumwin bishop of the Picts; for they were at that timesubject to this country.  This year also Centwin pursued theBritons to the sea.A.D. 684.  This year Everth sent an army against the Scots, underthe command of his alderman, Bright, who lamentably plundered andburned the churches of God.A.D. 685.  This year King Everth commanded Cuthbert to beconsecrated a bishop; and Archbishop Theodore, on the first dayof Easter, consecrated him at York Bishop of Hexham; for Trumberthad been deprived of that see.  The same year Everth was slain bythe north sea, and a large army with him, on the thirteenth daybefore the calends of June.  He continued king fifteen winters;and his brother Elfrith succeeded him in the government.  Everthwas the son of Oswy. Oswy of Ethelferth, Ethelferth of Ethelric,Ethelric of Ida, Ida of Eoppa.  About this time Ceadwall began tostruggle for a kingdom.  Ceadwall was the son of Kenbert, Kenbertof Chad, Chad of Cutha, Cutha of Ceawlin, Ceawlin of Cynric,Cynric of Cerdic.  Mull, who was afterwards consigned to theflames in Kent, was the brother of Ceadwall.  The same year diedLothhere, King of Kent; and John was consecrated Bishop ofHexham, where he remained till Wilferth was restored, when Johnwas translated to York on the death of Bishop Bosa.  Wilferth hispriest was afterwards consecrated Bishop of York, and Johnretired to his monastery (21) in the woods of Delta.  This yearthere was in Britain a bloody rain, and milk and butter wereturned to blood.((A.D. 685.  And in this same year Cuthbert was consecratedBishop of Hexham by Archbishop Theodore at York, because BishopTumbert had been driven from the bishopric.))A.D. 686.  This year Ceadwall and his brother Mull spreaddevastation in Kent and the Isle of Wight.  This same Ceadwallgave to St. Peter's minster, at Medhamsted, Hook; which issituated in an island called Egborough.  Egbald at this time wasabbot, who was the third after Saxulf; and Theodore wasarchbishop in Kent.A.D. 687.  This year was Mull consigned to the flames in Kent,and twelve other men with him; after which, in the same year,Ceadwall overran the kingdom of Kent.A.D. 688.  This year Ceadwall went to Rome, and received baptismat the hands of Sergius the pope, who gave him the name of Peter;but in the course of seven nights afterwards, on the twelfth daybefore the calends of May, he died in his crisom-cloths, and wasburied in the church of St. Peter.  To him succeeded Ina in thekingdom of Wessex, and reigned thirty-seven winters.  He foundedthe monastery of Glastonbury; after which he went to Rome, andcontinued there to the end of his life.  Ina was the son ofCenred, Cenred of Ceolwald; Ceolwald was the brother of Cynegils;and both were the sons of Cuthwin, who was the son of Ceawlin;Ceawlin was the son of Cynric, and Cynric of Cerdic.((A.D. 688.  This year King Caedwalla went to Rome, and receivedbaptism of Pope Sergius, and he gave him the name of Peter, andin about seven days afterwards, on the twelfth before the kalendsof May, while he was yet in his baptismal garments, he died: andhe was buried in St. Peter's church.  And Ina succeeded to thekingdom of the West-Saxons after him, and he reigned twenty-sevenyears.))A.D. 690.  This year Archbishop Theodore, who had been bishoptwenty-two winters, departed this life, (22) and was buriedwithin the city of Canterbury.  Bertwald, who before this wasabbot of Reculver, on the calends of July succeeded him in thesee; which was ere this filled by Romish bishops, but henceforthwith English.  Then were there two kings in Kent, Wihtred andWebherd.A.D. 693.  This year was Bertwald consecrated archbishop byGodwin, bishop of the Gauls, on the fifth day before the nones ofJuly; about which time died Gifmund, who was Bishop of Rochester;and Archbishop Bertwald consecrated Tobias in his stead.  Thisyear also Dryhtelm (23) retired from the world.A.D. 694.  This year the people of Kent covenanted with Ina, andgave him 30,000 pounds in friendship, because they had burned hisbrother Mull.  Wihtred, who succeeded to the kingdom of Kent, andheld it thirty-three winters, was the son of Egbert, Egbert ofErkenbert, Erkenbert of Eadbald, Eadbald of Ethelbert.  And assoon as he was king, he ordained a great council to meet in theplace that is called Bapchild; in which presided Wihtred, King ofKent, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Brihtwald, and Bishop Tobiasof Rochester; and with him were collected abbots and abbesses,and many wise men, all to consult about the advantage of God'schurches that are in Kent.  Now began the king to speak, andsaid, "I will that all the minsters and the churches, that weregiven and bequeathed to the worship of God in the days ofbelieving kings, my predecessors, and in the days of my relationsof King Ethelbert and of those that followed him -- shall soremain to the worship of God, and stand fast for evermore.  For IWihtred, earthly king, urged on by the heavenly king, and withthe spirit of righteousness annealed, have of our progenitorslearned this, that no layman should have any right to possesshimself of any church or of any of the things that belong to thechurch.  And, therefore, strongly and truly, we set and decree,and in the name of Almighty God, and of all saints, we forbid allour succeeding kings, and aldermen, and all lawmen, ever, anylordship over churches, and over all their appurtenances, which Ior my elders in old days have given for a perpetual inheritanceto the glory of Christ and our Lady St. Mary, and the holyapostles.  And look!  when it happeneth, that bishop, or abbot,or abbess, depart from this life, be it told the archbishop, andwith his counsel and injunction be chosen such as be worthy.  Andthe life of him, that shall be chosen to so holy a thing, let thearchbishop examine, and his cleanness; and in no wise be chosenany one, or to so holy a thing consecrated, without thearchbishop's counsel.  Kings shall appoint earls, and aldermen,sheriffs, and judges; but the archbishop shall consult andprovide for God's flock: bishops, and abbots, and abbesses, andpriests, and deacons, he shall choose and appoint; and alsosanctify and confirm with good precepts and example, lest thatany of God's flock go astray and perish --"A.D. 697.  This year the Southumbrians slew Ostritha, the queenof Ethelred, the sister of Everth.A.D. 699.  This year the Picts slew Alderman Burt.A.D. 702.  This year Kenred assumed the government of theSouthumbrians.A.D. 703.  This year died Bishop Hedda, having held the see ofWinchester twenty-seven winters.A.D. 704.  This year Ethelred, the son of Penda, King of Mercia,entered into a monastic life, having reigned twenty-nine winters;and Cenred succeeded to the government.A.D. 705.  This year died Ealdferth, king of the Northumbrians,on the nineteenth day before the calends of January, atDriffield; and was succeeded by his son Osred.  Bishop Saxulfalso died the same year.A.D. 709.  This year died Aldhelm, who was bishop by Westwood.The land of the West-Saxons was divided into two bishoprics inthe first days of Bishop Daniel; who held one whilst Aldhelm heldthe other.  Before this it was only one. Forthere succeeded toAldhelm; and Ceolred succeeded to the kingdom of Mercia.  AndCenred went to Rome; and Offa with him.  And Cenred was there tothe end of his life.  The same year died Bishop Wilferth, atOundle, but his body was carried to Ripon.  He was the bishopwhom King Everth compelled to go to Rome.A.D. 710.  This year Acca, priest of Wilferth, succeeded to thebishopric that Wilferth ere held; and Alderman Bertfrith foughtwith the Picts between Heugh and Carau.  Ina also, and Nun hisrelative, fought with Grant, king of the Welsh; and the same yearHibbald was slain.A.D. 714.  This year died Guthlac the holy, and King Pepin.A.D. 715.  This year Ina and Ceolred fought at Wanborough; (24)and King Dagobert departed this life.A.D. 716.  This year Osred, king of the Northumbrians, was slainnear the southern borders.  He reigned eleven winters afterEaldferth.  Cenred then succeeded to the government, and held ittwo years; then Osric, who held it eleven years.  This same yeardied Ceolred, king of the Mercians.  His body lies at Lichfield;but that of Ethelred, the son of Penda, at Bardney.  Ethelbaldthen succeeded to the kingdom of Mercia, and held it one andforty winters.  Ethelbald was the son of Alwy, Alwy of Eawa, Eawaof Webba, whose genealogy is already written.  The venerableEgbert about this time converted the monks of Iona to the rightfaith, in the regulation of Easter, and the ecclesiasticaltonsure.A.D. 718.  This year died Ingild, the brother of Ina.  Cwenburgaand Cuthburga were their sisters.  Cuthburga reared the monasteryof Wimburn; and, though given in marriage to Ealdferth, King ofNorthumberland, they parted during their lives.A.D. 721.  This year Bishop Daniel went to Rome; and the sameyear Ina slew Cynewulf, the etheling.  This year also died theholy Bishop John; who was bishop thirty-three years, and eightmonths, and thirteen days.  His body now resteth at Beverley.A.D. 722.  This year Queen Ethelburga destroyed Taunton, whichIna had formerly built; Ealdbert wandered a wretched exile inSurrey and Sussex; and Ina fought with the South-Saxons.A.D. 725.  This year died Wihtred, King of Kent, on the ninth daybefore the calends of May, after a reign of thirty-two winters.His pedigree is above; and he was succeeded by Eadbert.  Ina thisyear also fought with the South-Saxons, and slew Ealdbert, theetheling, whom he had before driven into exile.A.D. 727.  This year died Tobias, Bishop of Rochester: andArchbishop Bertwald consecrated Aldulf bishop in his stead.A.D. 728.  This year (25) Ina went to Rome, and there gave up theghost.  He was succeeded in the kingdom of Wessex by Ethelhardhis relative, who held it fourteen years; but he fought this sameyear with Oswald the etheling.  Oswald was the son of Ethelbald,Ethelbald of Cynebald, Cynebald of Cuthwin, Cuthwin of Ceawlin. A.D. 729.  This year appeared the comet-star, and St. Egbert diedin Iona.  This year also died the etheling Oswald; and Osric wasslain, who was eleven winters king of Northumberland; to whichkingdom Ceolwulf succeeded, and held it eight years.  The saidCeolwulf was the son of Cutha, Cutha of Cuthwin, Cuthwin ofLeodwald, Leodwald of Egwald, Egwald of Ealdhelm, Ealdhelm ofOcca, Occa of Ida, Ida of Eoppa.  Archbishop Bertwald died thisyear on the ides of January.  He was bishop thirty-seven winters,and six months, and fourteen days.  The same year Tatwine, whowas before a priest at Bredon in Mercia, was consecratedarchbishop by Daniel Bishop of Winchester, Ingwald Bishop ofLondon, Aldwin Bishop of Lichfield, and Aldulf Bishop ofRochester, on the tenth day of June.  He enjoyed thearchbishopric about three years.((A.D. 729.  And the same year Osric died; he was king elevenyears; then Ceolwulf succeeded to the kingdom, and held it eightyears.))A.D. 733.  This year Ethelbald took Somerton; the sun waseclipsed; and Acca was driven from his bishopric.A.D. 734.  This year was the moon as if covered with blood; andArchbishop Tatwine and Bede departed this life; and Egbert wasconsecrated bishop.A.D. 735.  This year Bishop Egbert received the pall at Rome.A.D. 736.  This year Archbishop Nothelm received the pall fromthe bishop of the Romans.A.D. 737.  This year Bishop Forthere and Queen Frithogitha wentto Rome; and King Ceolwulf received the clerical tonsure, givinghis kingdom to Edbert, his uncle's son: who reigned one andtwenty winters.  Bishop Ethelwold and Acca died this year, andCynewulf was consecrated bishop.  The same year also Ethelbaldravaged the land of the Northumbrians.A.D. 738.  This year Eadbery, the son of Eata the son ofLeodwald, succeeded to the Northumbrian kingdom, and held it oneand twenty winters.  Archbishop Egbert, the son of Eata, was hisbrother.  They both rest under one porch in the city of York.A.D. 740.  This year died King Ethelhard; and Cuthred, hisrelative, succeeded to the West-Saxon kingdom, which he heldfourteen winters, during which time he fought many hard battleswith Ethelbald, king of the Mercians.  On the death of ArchbishopNothelm, Cuthbert was consecrated archbishop, and Dunn, Bishop ofRochester.  This year York was on fire.A.D. 742.  This year there was a large synod assembled atCliff's-Hoo; and there was Ethelbald, king of Mercia, withArchbishop Cuthbert, and many other wise men.A.D. 743.  This year Ethelbald, king of Mercia, and Cuthred, kingof the West-Saxons, fought with the Welsh.A.D. 744.  This year Daniel resigned the see of Winchester; towhich Hunferth was promoted.  The stars went swiftly shooting;and Wilferth the younger, who had been thirty winters Bishop ofYork, died on the third day before the calends of May.A.D. 745.  This year died Daniel. Forty-three winters had thenelapsed since he received the episcopal function.A.D. 746.  This year was King Selred slain.A.D. 748.  This year was slain Cynric, etheling of the West-Saxons; Edbert, King of Kent, died; and Ethelbert, son of KingWihtred, succeeded to the kingdom.

(1)  This introductory part of the "Chronicle" to An. I. first     printed by Gibson from the Laud MS. only, has been corrected     by a collation of two additional MSS. in the British Museum,     "Cotton Tiberius B" lv. and "Domitianus A" viii.  Some     defects are also here supplied.  The materials of this part     are to be found in Pliny, Solinus, Orosius, Gildas, and     Bede.  The admeasurement of the island, however inaccurate,     is from the best authorities of those times, and followed by     much later historians.(2)  Gibson, following the Laud MS. has made six nations of five,     by introducing the British and Welsh as two distinct tribes.(3)  "De tractu Armoricano." -- Bede, "Ecclesiastical History" i.     I.  The word Armenia occurring a few lines above in Bede, it     was perhaps inadvertently written by the Saxon compiler of     the "Chronicle" instead of Armorica.(4)  In case of a disputed succession, "Ubi res veniret in     dabium," etc. -- Bede, "Ecclesiastical History" i. I.(5)  Reada, Aelfr.; Reuda, Bede, Hunt. etc.  Perhaps it was     originally Reutha or Reotha.(6)  This is an error, arising from the inaccurately written MSS.     of Orosius and Bede; where "in Hybernia" and "in Hiberniam"     occur for "in hiberna".  The error is retained in Wheloc's     Bede.(7)  Labienus = Laberius.  Venerable Bede also, and Orosius, whom     he follows verbatim, have "Labienus".  It is probably a     mistake of some very ancient scribe, who improperly supplied     the abbreviation "Labius" (for "Laberius") by "Labienus".(8)  Of these early transactions in Britain King Alfred supplies     us with a brief but circumstantial account in his Saxon     paraphrase of "Orosius".(9)  "8 die Aprilis", Flor. M. West.(10) Gibbon regrets this chronology, i.e. from the creation of     the world, which he thinks preferable to the vulgar mode     from the Christian aera.  But how vague and uncertain the     scale which depends on a point so remote and undetermined as     the precise time when the world was created.  If we examine     the chronometers of different writers we shall find a     difference, between the maximum and the minimum, of 3368     years.  The Saxon chronology seems to be founded on that of     Eusebius, which approaches the medium between the two     extremes.(11) An. 42, Flor.  This act is attributed by Orosius, and Bede     who follows him, to the threatening conduct of Caligula,     with a remark, that it was he (Pilate) who condemned our     Lord to death.(12) An. 48, Flor.  See the account of this famine in King     Alfred's "Orosius".(13) Those writers who mention this discovery of the holy cross,     by Helena the mother of Constantine, disagree so much in     their chronology, that it is a vain attempt to reconcile     them to truth or to each other.  This and the other notices     of ecclesiastical matters, whether Latin or Saxon, from the     year 190 to the year 380 of the Laud MS. and 381 of the     printed Chronicle, may be safely considered as     interpolations, probably posterior to the Norman Conquest.(14) This is not to be understood strictly; gold being used as a     general term for money or coin of every description; great     quantities of which, it is well known, have been found at     different times, and in many different places, in this     island: not only of gold, but of silver, brass, copper, etc.(15) An interpolated legend, from the "Gesta Pontificum",     repeated by Bede, Florence, Matth. West., Fordun, and     others.  The head was said to be carried to Edessa.(16) Merely of those called from him "Benedictines".  But the     compiler of the Cotton MS., who was probably a monk of that     order, seems not to acknowledge any other.  Matthew of     Westminster places his death in 536.(17) For an interesting and minute account of the arrival of     Augustine and his companions in the Isle of Thanet, their     entrance into Canterbury, and their general reception in     England, vid. Bede, "Hist. Eccles." i. 25, and the following     chapters, with the Saxon translation by King Alfred.  The     succeeding historians have in general repeated the very     words of Bede.(18) It was originally, perhaps, in the MSS. ICC. the     abbreviation for 1,200; which is the number of the slain in     Bede.  The total number of the monks of Bangor is said to     have been 2,100; most of whom appear to have been employed     in prayer on this occasion, and only fifty escape by flight.     Vide Bede, "Hist. Eccles." ii. 2, and the tribe of Latin     historians who copy him.(19) Literally, "swinged, or scourged him."  Both Bede and Alfred     begin by recording the matter as a vision, or a dream;     whence the transition is easy to a matter of fact, as here     stated by the Norman interpolators of the "Saxon Annals".(20) This epithet appears to have been inserted in some copies of     the "Saxon Chronicle" so early as the tenth century; to     distinguish the "old" church or minster at Winchester from     the "new", consecrated A.D. 903.(21) Beverley-minster, in Yorkshire.(22) He was a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, the birth-place of St.     Paul.(23) This brief notice of Dryhtelm, for so I find the name     written in "Cotton Tiberius B iv." is totally unintelligible     without a reference to Bede's "Ecclesiastical History", v.     12; where a curious account of him may be found, which is     copied by Matthew of Westminster, anno. 699.(25) Wothnesbeorhge, Ethelw.; Wonsdike, Malmsb.; Wonebirih, H.     Hunt; Wodnesbeorh, Flor.; Wodnesbirch, M. West.  There is no     reason, therefore, to transfer the scene of action to     Woodbridge, as some have supposed from an erroneous reading.(26) The establishment of the "English school" at Rome is     attributed to Ina; a full account of which, and of the     origin of "Romescot" or "Peter-pence" for the support of it,     may be seen in Matthew of Westminster.

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