The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

115

He died at his villa at Bromleage (Bromley in Staffordshire).—Flor.

116

He built a new church from the foundation, on a larger plan. The monastery existed from the earliest times.

117

Florence of Worcester says, that he went through Hungary to Jerusalem.

118

This must not be confounded with a spire-steeple. The expression was used to denote a tower, long before spires were invented.

119

Lye interprets it erroneously the "festival" of St. Martin.—"ad S. Martini festum:" whereas the expression relates to the place, not to the time of his death, which is mentioned immediately afterwards.

120

This threnodia on the death of Edward the Confessor will be found to correspond, both in metre and expression, with the poetical paraphrase of Genesis ascribed to Caedmon.

121

These facts, though stated in one MS. only, prove the early cooperation of Tosty with the King of Norway. It is remarkable that this statement is confirmed by Snorre, who says that Tosty was with Harald, the King of Norway, in all these expeditions. Vid "Antiq. Celto-Scand." p. 204.

122

i.e. Harold, King of England; "our" king, as we find him Afterwards called in B iv., to distinguish him from Harald, King of Norway.

123

Not only the twelve smacks with which he went into Scotland during the summer, as before stated, but an accession of force from all quarters.

124

On the north bank of the Ouse, according to Florence of Worcester; the enemy having landed at Richale (now "Riccal"). Simeon of Durham names the spot "Apud Fulford," i.e. Fulford-water, south of the city of York.

125

It is scarcely necessary to observe that the term "English" begins about this time to be substituted for "Angles"; and that the Normans are not merely the Norwegians, but the Danes and other adventurers from the north, joined with the forces of France and Flanders; who, we shall presently see, overwhelmed by their numbers the expiring, liberties of England. The Franks begin also to assume the name of Frencyscan or "Frenchmen".

126

i.e. in the expedition against the usurper William.

127

i.e.—threw off their allegiance to the Norman usurper, and became voluntary outlaws. The habits of these outlaws, or, at least, of their imitators and descendants in the next century, are well described in the romance of "Ivanhoe".

128

The author of the Gallo-Norman poem printed by Sparke elevates his diction to a higher tone, when describing the feasts of this same Hereward, whom he calls "le uthlage hardi."

129

Or much "coin"; many "scaettae"; such being the denomination of the silver money of the Saxons.

130

Florence of Worcester and those who follow him say that William proceeded as far as Abernethy; where Malcolm met him, and surrendered to him.

131

Whence he sailed to Bretagne, according to Flor. S. Dunelm, etc.; but according to Henry of Huntingdon he fled directly to Denmark, returning afterwards with Cnute and Hacco, who invaded England With a fleet of 200 sail.

132

i.e. Earl Waltheof.

133

This notice of St. Petronilla, whose name and existence seem scarcely to have been known to the Latin historians, we owe exclusively to the valuable MS. "Cotton Tiberius" B lv. Yet if ever female saint deserved to be commemorated as a conspicuous example of early piety and christian zeal, it must be Petronilla.

134

The brevity of our Chronicle here, and in the two following years, in consequence of the termination of "Cotton Tiberius" B iv., is remarkable. From the year 1083 it assumes a character more decidedly Anglo-Norman.

135

i.e. In the service; by teaching them a new-fangled chant, brought from Feschamp in Normandy, instead of that to which they had been accustomed, and which is called the Gregorian chant.

136

Literally, "afeared of them"—i.e. terrified by them.

137

Probably along the open galleries in the upper story of the choir.

138

"Slaegan", in its first sense, signifies "to strike violently"; whence the term "sledge-hammer". This consideration will remove the supposed pleonasm in the Saxon phrase, which is here literally translated.

139

"Gild," Sax.; which in this instance was a land-tax of one shilling to a yardland.

140

—and of Clave Kyrre, King of Norway. Vid. "Antiq. Celto-Scand".

141

Because there was a mutiny in the Danish fleet; which was carried to such a height, that the king, after his return to Denmark, was slain by his own subjects. Vid. "Antiq. Celto-Scand", also our "Chronicle" A.D. 1087.

142

i.e. a fourth part of an acre.

143

At Winchester; where the king held his court at Easter in the following year; and the survey was accordingly deposited there; whence it was called "Rotulus Wintoniae", and "Liber Wintoniae".

144

An evident allusion to the compilation of Doomsday book, already described in A.D. 1085.

145

Uppe-land, Sax.—i.e. village-church.

146

i.e. jurisdiction. We have adopted the modern title of the district; but the Saxon term occurs in many of the ancient evidences of Berkeley Castle.

147

i.e. of the conspirators.

148

Literally "became his man"—"Ic becom eowr man" was the formula of doing homage.

149

Literally a "gossip"; but such are the changes which words undergo in their meaning as well as in their form, that a title of honour formerly implying a spiritual relationship in God, is now applied only to those whose conversation resembles the contemptible tittle-tattle of a Christening.

150

From this expression it is evident, that though preference was naturally and properly given to hereditary claims, the monarchy of Scotland, as well as of England, was in principle "elective". The doctrine of hereditary, of divine, of indefeasible "right", is of modern growth.

151

See the following year towards the end, where Duncan is said to be slain.

152

Peitevin, which is the connecting link between "Pictaviensem" and "Poitou".

153

Now called Southampton, to distinguish it from Northampton, but the common people in both neighbourhoods generally say "Hamton" to this day (1823).

154

The title is now Earl of Shrewsbury.

155

The fourth of April. Vid. "Ord. Vit."

156

Commonly called "Peter-pence".

157

Literally "head-men, or chiefs". The term is still retained with a slight variation in the north of Europe, as the "hetman" Platoff of celebrated memory.

158

This name is now written, improperly, Cadogan; though the ancient pronunciation continues. "Cadung", "Ann. Wav." erroneously, perhaps, for "Cadugn".

159

It was evidently, therefore, not on Michaelmas day, but during the continuance of the mass or festival which was celebrated till the octave following.

160

In the original "he"; so that the Saxons agreed with the Greeks and Romans with respect to the gender of a comet.

161

Literally "took leave": hence the modern phrase to signify the departure of one person from another, which in feudal times could not be done without leave or permission formally obtained.

162

That is, within the twelve days after Christmas, or the interval between Christmas day, properly called the Nativity, and the Epiphany, the whole of which was called Christmas-tide or Yule-tide, and was dedicated to feasting and mirth.

163

The King of Norway and his men. "Vid. Flor."

164

His monument is still to be seen there, a plain gravestone of black marble, of the common shape called "dos d'ane"; such as are now frequently seen, though of inferior materials, in the churchyards of villages; and are only one remove from the grassy sod.

165

i.e. before he left Winchester for London; literally "there-right"—an expression still used in many parts of England. Neither does the word "directly", which in its turn has almost become too vulgar to be used, nor its substitute, "immediately", which has nearly superseded it, appear to answer the purpose so well as the Saxon, which is equally expressive with the French "sur le champ".

166

This expression shows the adherence of the writer to the Saxon line of kings, and his consequent satisfaction in recording this alliance of Henry with the daughter of Margaret of Scotland.

167

"Auvergne" at that time was an independent province, and formed no part of France. About the middle of the fourteenth century we find Jane, Countess of Auvergne and Boulogne, and Queen of France, assisting in the dedication of the church of the Carmelites at Paris, together with Queen Jeanne d'Evreux, third wife and widow of Charles IV., Blanche of Navarre, widow of Philip VI., and Jeanne de France, Queen of Navarre.—Felib. "Histoire de Paris", vol. I, p. 356.

168

A title taken from a town in Normandy, now generally written Moretaine, or Moretagne; de Moreteon, de Moritonio, Flor.

169

"cena Domini"—commonly called Maundy Thursday.

170

Now Tinchebrai.

171

Matilda, Mathilde, or Maud.

172

Henry V. of Germany, the son of Henry IV.

173

Or, "in the early part of the night," etc.

174

That is, the territory was not a "fee simple", but subject to "taillage" or taxation; and that particular species is probably here intended which is called in old French "en queuage", an expression not very different from that in the text above.

175

i.e. to the earldom of Flanders.

176

"Mense Julio".—Flor.

177

We have still the form of saying "Nolo episcopari", when a see is offered to a bishop.

178

i.e. East Bourne in Sussex; where the king was waiting for a fair wind to carry him over sea.

179

The Nativity of the Virgin Mary.

180

i.e. an inclosure or park for deer. This is now called Blenheim Park, and is one of the few old parks which still remain in this country.

181

This may appear rather an anticipation of the modern see of Salisbury, which was not then in existence; the borough of Old Saturn, or "Saresberie", being then the episcopal seat.

182

St. Osythe, in Essex; a priory rebuilt A. 1118, for canons of the Augustine order, of which there are considerable remains.

183

i.e. Of the Earl of Anjou.

184

The writer means, "the remainder of this year"; for the feast of Pentecost was already past, before the king left England.

185

The pennies, or pence, it must be remembered, were of silver at this time.

186

i.e. Clergy and laity.

187

This word is still in use, but in a sense somewhat different; as qualms of conscience, etc.

188

See an account of him in "Ord. Vit." 544. Conan, another son of this Alan, Earl of Brittany, married a daughter of Henry I.

189

i.e. Henry, King of England.

190

"A se'nnight", the space of seven nights; as we still say, "a fortnight", i.e. the space of fourteen nights. The French express the space of one week by "huit jours", the origin of the "octave" in English law; of two by "quinte jours". So "septimana" signifies "seven mornings"; whence the French word "semaine".

191

Literally, "woned". Vid Chaucer, "Canterbury Tales", v. 7745. In Scotland, a lazy indolent manner of doing anything is called "droning".

192

The Abbot Henry of Angeli.

193

"Thou shalt destroy them that speak `leasing,'" etc. "Psalms".

194

i.e. Vexed, harassed, fatigued, etc. Milton has used the word in the last sense.

195

The monastery of Angeli.

196

Aurora Borealis, or the northern lights.

197

"Any restless manoeuvre or stratagem." Both words occur in Chaucer. See "Troilus and Criseyde", v. 1355, and "Canterbury Tales", v. 16549. The idea seems to be taken from the habits of destructive and undermining vermin.

198

Now called "Good-Friday".

199

The tower of the castle at Oxford, built by D'Oyley, which still remains.

200

The MS. is here deficient.

201

Or Vaudeville.