]
wasted almost all Cumberland, taking great spoiles in the same.
[Sidenote: 1001. Exmouth]
About the same time, or shortlie after, the Danes with their nauie,
returning out of Normandie, came vnto Exmouth, and there assaulted the
castell, but they were repelled by them that kept it. After this they
spread abroad ouer all the countrie, exercising their accustomed trade
of destroieng all before them with fire and sword. The men of
[Sidenote: Pentho.]
Summersetshire fought with them at Pentho, but the Danes got the vpper
hand.
Thus the state of the realme in those daies was verie miserable, for
there wanted worthie chieftains to rule the people, and to chastise
them when they did amisse. There was no trust in the noble men, for
euerie one impugned others dooing, and yet would not deuise which
[Sidenote: Disagreement with councellors what fruit it bringeth.]
way to deale with better likelihood. When they assembled in councell,
and should haue occupied their heads in deuising remedies for the
mischiefe of the common wealth, they turned their purpose vnto
altercation, about such strifes, contentions and quarels as each one
against other, and suffered the generall case to lie still in the
dust. And if at anie time there was anie good conclusion agreed vpon,
for the withstanding of the enimie, & releefe of the common wealth,
anon should the enimie be aduertised thereof by such as were of
aliance or consanguinitie to them.
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