Great Britain -- History -- Anglo-Saxon period, 449-1066 -- Sources
This year, between the two feasts of St. Mary, King Malcolm invaded
England with a large army, and laid waste Northumberland as far as the
Tyne; and he slew many hundred men, and carried home much money and
treasure and many prisoners. And the same year King William fought
against his son Robert without the borders of Normandy near a castle
called Gerborneth (Gerberoy), and there King William was wounded, and
the horse on which he sat was killed, and his son William was also
wounded, and many men were slain.
1080.
This year Walcher Bishop of Durham was slain at a gemot, and a hundred
French and Flemings with him: Walcher himself was born in Lorrain. The
Northumbrians perpetrated this in the month of May.
1081.
This year the King led an army into Wales, and there he set free many
hundred persons.
1082.
This year the King arrested Bishop Odo. And there was a great famine
this year.
1083.
This year a quarrel arose in Glastonbury between the Abbot Thurstan
and his monks. It was first caused by the Abbot’s unwise conduct, in
that he treated his monks ill in many respects, but the monks were
lovingly-minded towards him, and begged him to govern them in right
and in kindness, and they would be faithful and obedient to him. But
the Abbot would none of this, and wrought them evil, and threatened
worse. One day the Abbot went into the Chapter-house, and harangued the
monks, and would have taught them amiss;[BH] and he sent for laymen,
and they came in all armed upon the monks in the Chapter-house. Then
the monks were greatly terrified and knew not what to do, and some ran
for refuge into the church and locked the doors from within; but the
others followed them, and would have dragged them forth when they durst
not come out. Rueful things happened there on that day, for the French
broke into the choir and threw darts towards the altar where the monks
were collected, and some of their servants went upon the upper floor
and shot down arrows towards the chancel, so that many arrows stuck in
the crucifix which stood above the altar, and the wretched monks lay
around the altar, and some crept under it, and they called earnestly
upon God and besought his mercy, since they could obtain no mercy at
the hands of men. What can we say, but that they shot without ceasing,
and others broke down the doors, and rushed in, and they slew some of
the monks and wounded many, so that the blood ran down from the altar
on the steps, and from the steps to the floor. Three were smitten to
death and eighteen wounded. And the same year Matilda the wife of King
William died on the day after the feast of All Saints. And the same
year after Christmas the King caused a great and heavy tax to be raised
throughout England, even 72 pence upon every hide of land.
1084.
This year Wulfwold Abbot of Chertsey died on the 13th of the calends of
May.
1085.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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