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rapidly round East Anglia and entered the mouth of the Humber, and so proceeded up the Trent until he came to Gainsborough. And in a short time Earl Uhtred and all Northumberland and the people of Lindsey submitted to him, and afterwards the inhabitants of the five towns[1] did likewise, and very soon after this all the forces north of Watling-street submitted also, and hostages were given him from each county. When he found that all the people were subject to him he commanded that they should supply his army with horses and provisions, and he then proceeded southward with a large force, leaving the charge of his ships and hostages to his son Cnut. And when they had passed Watling-street, they did as much evil as any army might; he marched to Oxford, and the town immediately surrendered and gave hostages; thence he went to Winchester, and the inhabitants of that place did the same; thence he turned eastward towards London, and many of his soldiers were drowned in the Thames, not looking out for a bridge. And when he came to the city the inhabitants would not surrender, but they held out against him and fought bravely, for King Æthelred was there,
- ↑ Enumerated an. 942.
