Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 994. This year died Archbishop Siric: and Elfric, Bishop of Wiltshire, was chosen on Easter-day, at Amesbury [Map], by King Ethelred (age 28) and all his council. This year came Anlaf and Sweyne to London, on the Nativity of St. Mary, with four and ninety-ships. And they closely besieged the city, and would fain have set it on fire; but they sustained more harm and evil than they ever supposed that any citizens could inflict on them. The holy mother of God on that day in her mercy considered the citizens, and ridded them of their enemies. Thence they advanced, and wrought the greatest evil that ever any army could do, in burning and plundering and manslaughter, not only on the sea-coast in Essex, but in Kent and in Sussex and in Hampshire. Next they took horse, and rode as wide as they would, and committed unspeakable evil. Then resolved the king and his council to send to them, and offer them tribute and provision, on condition that they desisted from plunder. The terms they accepted; and the whole army came to Southampton, Hampshire [Map], and there fixed their winter-quarters; where they were fed by all the subjects of the West-Saxon kingdom. And they gave them 16,000 pounds in money. Then sent the king; after King Anlaf Bishop Elfeah and Alderman Ethelwerd;⁴⁸ and, hostages being left with the ships, they led Anlaf with great pomp to the king at Andover, Hampshire [Map]. And King Ethelred (age 28) received him at episcopal hands, and honoured him with royal presents. In return Anlaf promised, as he also performed, that he never again would come in a hostile manner to England.

Note 48. This was probably the veteran historian of that name, who was killed in the severe encounter with the Danes at Alton (Aethelingadene) in the year 1001.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 996. This year was Elfric consecrated archbishop at Christ church.⁴⁹

Note 49. i.e. at Canterbury. He was chosen or nominated before, by King Ethelred (age 30) and his council, at Amesbury: vid. an. 994. This notice of his consecration, which is confirmed by Florence of Worcester, is now first admitted into the text on the authority of three MSS.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 997. This year went the army about Devonshire into Severn-mouth, and equally plundered the people of Cornwall, North-Wales⁵⁰, and Devon. Then went they up at Watchet, Somerset, and there much evil wrought in burning and manslaughter. Afterwards they coasted back about Penwithstert on the south side, and, turning into the mouth of the Tamer, went up till they came to Liddyford, burning and slaying everything that they met. Moreover, Ordulf's minster at Tavistock they burned to the ground, and brought to their ships incalculable plunder. This year Archbishop Elfric went to Rome after his staff.

Note 50. Not the present district so-called, but all that north of the Sea of Severn, as opposed to West-Wales, another name for Cornwall.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1005. This year died Archbishop Elfric; and Bishop Elfeah (age 52) succeeded him in the archbishopric. This year was the great famine in England so severe that no man ere remembered such. The fleet this year went from this land to Denmark, and took but a short respite, before they came again.