This year King Hardacnut died at Lambeth on the 6th of the ides of June. He was King over all England two years all but ten days, and he was buried with his father King Cnut in the old monastery at Winchester; and his mother gave the head of the martyr Saint Valentine for his soul’s sake to the new monastery. And before he was buried all the people chose Edward King in London, and he held the kingdom as long as God permitted him. And all this year was a very heavy time in many different ways, from the inclemency of the weather, and from the destruction of the fruits of the earth. So many of the cattle also perished this year both from disease, and from the ill season, as had never before been remembered. At this time Ælfsige Abbot of Peterborough died, and the monk Arnwi was chosen in his place, because he was a good man, and one of a singular simplicity. 1042. On Easter-day, this year, Edward was consecrated King with great worship at Winchester. Easter then fell on the 3d of the nones of April. The Archbishop Eadsige consecrated him, and instructed him well before all the people, and admonished him for his own good and that of the nation. And the Priest Stigand was consecrated Bishop of East Anglia. And soon afterwards the King gave command to over-ride the lands which his mother held of him, and he took from her all that she possessed in gold and silver, and treasures innumerable, because she had not been liberal towards him. 1043. This year Eadsige gave up his Archbishoprick, because of his infirmities, and he consecrated thereto Siward Abbot of Abingdon, with the consent and advice of the King and of Earl Godwin. This transaction was disclosed to few before it was completed, because the Archbishop thought that if it became known to many, some other man in whom he trusted and confided less, would beg or buy the preferment. And this year there was a very great famine over all England, and corn was so dear as was never before remembered, so that a sæster of wheat sold for 60 pennies, and even more. And the same year the King went out to Sandwich with a fleet of 35 ships. And the Churchwarden Æthelstan was made Abbot of Abingdon. And Stigand entered upon his Bishoprick. It was in this year (1043) that Edward took for his Queen the daughter of Earl Godwin.--The same year died Brihtwold; he had held his Bishoprick, that of Sherbourne, 38 years, and the King’s Priest Hereman succeeded him. And this year Wulfric was chosen Abbot of Saint Augustine’s (Canterbury) at Christmas time, on St. Stephen’s day, with the consent of the King and of the Abbot Ælfstan, because of the great infirmities of the latter. 1044. This year Living Bishop of Devonshire died, and the King’s Priest Leofric succeeded him.--And this year Ælfstan Abbot of St. Augustine’s died on the 3d of the nones of July. And the same year Osgot Clapa was banished. 1045.