sons should be kings after him. And then by the provision of God it was concluded that Edward, which was not then born, should be king, and excluded Edmond Ironside and Alfred, which were the king's older sons. And when the king had consented thereto, a general oath was made to perform the same in time coming. And after, when this child was born, all the land enjoyed in his birth, hoping to be greatly relieved by him. Yet always the cruelty of the Danes was so great, which the king so much doubted, that he sent the queen and his two sons Alfred and Edward into Normandy, and took his oldest son Edmond with him to battle, to fight against the Danes. The sorrow was then great in England, for much people turned to the Danes against their own king, and without pity did burn and slay their own country with the Danes, among whom was slain Alphage archbishop of Canterbury at Greenwich, and many other good men. And some bishops, priests, and men of religion fled into secret places and deserts, where they devoutly prayed unto Almightly God for to have very peace in this land; but this war continued all the life of Ethelred, according to the prophecy of S. Dunstan.
And after Ethelred reigned Edmond Ironside his son, in full great trouble, for in his days no man durst trust other, ne open his courage to his neighbour, for that time each man appeached other of treason, to the intent that he might have his good. And they that were not of power to overcome their neighbours turned unto the Danes against their own neighbours, and so, by the help of the Danes, they
K
