For that which they could not carie
with them, they consumed with fire, burning vp their innes and sleaing
their hoasts. In returning backe, the people of the west countrie gaue
them battell, but preuailed not, so that they did but inrich their
[Sidenote: Winchester.]
enimies with the spoile of their bodies. They came by the gates of
Winchester as it were in maner of triumph, with vittels and spoiles
which they had fetched fiftie miles from the sea side. In the
[Sidenote: 1007.]
meane time king Egelred lay about Shrewsburie sore troubled with the
newes hereof, and in the yeare next insuing, by the aduise of his
councell he gaue to king Swaine for the redeeming of peace 30000
[Sidenote: 36000 pound saith _Si. Dun._]
pounds.
[Sidenote: Edrike de Streona made duke or earle of Mercia.]
In the same yeare K. Egelred created the traitor Edrike earle of
Mercia, who although he had maried Edgiua the kings daughter, was yet
noted to be one of those which disclosed the secrets of the realme,
and the determinations of the councell vnto the enimies. But he
was such a craftie dissembler, so greatlie prouided of sleight to
dissemble and cloake his falshood, that the king being too much abused
by him, had him in singular fauour, whereas he vpon a malicious
purpose studied dailie how to bring the realme into vtter destruction,
aduertising the enimies from time to time how the state of things
stood, whereby they came to knowlege when they should giue place,
[Sidenote: _Wil.
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