95
that he himself and all bis subjects should be ready to aid the army.
875.
This year the army departed from Repton; and Healfden went with part of the troops into Northumberland, and wintered by the river Tyne; and this division conquered that land, and made many inroads upon the Picts and the Strath-Clyde Britons. And the three Kings, Godrun, Oscytel, and Anwind, went from Repton to Cambridge with a large army, and abode there one year. And this summer King Alfred went out to sea with a fleet, and fought with seven pirate ships, and took one of them, and put the rest to flight.
876.
This year Rodla (Rollo), with his forces, overran Normandy; he reigned 50 years. And this year the Danes marched secretly into Wareham in Wessex, and afterwards the King made peace with that army, and they gave the noblest amongst them as hostages, and swore oaths to him on the holy bracelet[1] (which they would never do for
- ↑ The chief oath among the Northen nations. In Iceland, in the time of heathenism, a silver or brazen ring or bracelet was kept on the altars, and being sprinkled with the blood of sacrifices, it was touched by those who took any solemn oath. For the same purpose it was worn on the Judge's arm during trials. See the Chrymogæa of Arngrim Jonas, p. 62 and 76.
