The Danes obteining the vpper hand, for the space of thrée moneths
togither went vp and downe the countries, & wasted those parties of
the realme, that is to say, Northfolke, and Suffolke, with the borders
of Lincolnshire, Huntingtonshire, and Cambridgeshire where the fens
are, gaining excéeding riches by the spoile of great and wealthie
[Sidenote: Thetford. Cambridge. _Hen. Hunt._]
abbies and churches which had their situation within the compasse
of the same fens. They also destroied Thetford, and burnt Cambridge,
and from thence passed through the pleasant mountaine-countrie of
Belsham, cruellie murdering the people without respect of age, degrée
[Sidenote: The Danes arrive in the Thames. 1011.]
or sex. After this also they entred into Essex. and so came backe
to their ships, which were then arriued in the Thames. But they rested
not anie long time in quiet, as people that minded nothing but the
destruction of this realme. So as soone after, when they had somwhat
refreshed them, they set forward againe into the countrie, passing
through Buckinghamshire, & so into Bedfordshire. And about saint
[Sidenote: Northampton burnt by Danes.]
Andrewes tide they turned towards Northampton, & comming thither set
fire on that towne. Then turning through the west countrie, with fire
& sword they wasted and destroied a great part thereof, & namelie
Wiltshire, with other parties. And finallie about the feast of
Christmas they came againe to their ships. Thus had the Danes
[Sidenote: How manie shires the Danes wasted.]
wasted the most part of 16 or 17 shires within this realme, as
Northfolke, Suffolke, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Middlesex, Hartfordshire,
Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Bedfordshire, with a part of
Huntingtonshire, and also a great portion of Northamptonshire. This
was doone in the countries that lie on the northside of the riuer of