This year Archbishop Sigeric died, and Ælfric Bishop of Wiltshire was chosen as his successor by King Æthelred and his Witan, at Ambresbyri (Amesbury), on Easter-day. This year Anlaf and Swegen came to London on the nativity of St. Mary, with 94 ships, and they attacked the city vigorously, and they also attempted to burn it with fire, but they suffered more loss and injury than they could ever have looked for from any townsmen, for the holy Mother of God in her mercy manifested herself to the inhabitants, and delivered them from their enemies. And then these departed, and did as much damage as any army might, burning, plundering, and slaying, along the coasts of Essex, of Kent, of Sussex, and of Hampshire. And at length they took horses and rode far and wide wherever they would, and they did unspeakable mischief. Then the King and his Witan determined to send to them and offer them tribute and a supply of provisions, on condition that they would abstain from plundering. This they accepted, and all the army came to Southampton, and there they took up their winter quarters, and all the kingdom of Wessex provided food for them, and sixteen thousand pounds were paid to them. Then the King sent the Bishop Ælfeach and the Alderman Æthelward for King Anlaf, and hostages were left in the ships, while they brought him with much pomp to the King at Andover; and King Æthelred stood godfather at his confirmation, and gave him royal presents. And Anlaf made him then a promise, which he also fulfilled, that he would never again come with hostile designs against the English nation. “This year Richard the elder died, and his son Richard succeeded him, and reigned 31 years” (in Normandy). 995. This year a comet appeared. 997. This year the Army sailed round Devonshire into the mouth of the Severn, and plundered in Cornwall, Wales, and Devon; and they landed at Watchet, and did much damage there, burning and slaying. And after this they sailed southward, and round Penwiht-steort (the Land’s end), and they entered the mouth of the Thamar, and proceeded up that river until they came to Lydeford, and they burned and slew all before them; and they burned Ordulf’s monastery at Ætefingstoce (Tavistock), and carried innumerable spoils to their ships. This year Archbishop Ælfric went to Rome for his pall. 998. This year the Army again turned eastward into the mouth of the Frome, and they made inroads upon Dorsetshire as far as they would on either side. And troops were often gathered together against them, but whenever they were about to engage, from some cause or other, a flight constantly took place, and the enemy always obtained the victory in the end. At another time they lay off the Isle of Wight, and supplied themselves with provisions from Hampshire and Sussex. 999.