Egbert, which after succéeded him in the kingdome. The linage of
Cerdicus was in that season so confounded and mingled, that euerie
one as he grew in greatest power, stroue to be king and supreame
gouernour. But speciallie Egbertus was knowne to be one that coueted
that place, as he that was of the bloud roiall, and a man of great
[Sidenote: Egbert banished.]
power and lustie courage. King Brightrike therefore to liue in more
safetie, banished him the land, and appointed him to go into France.
Egbert vnderstanding certeinlie that this his departure into a
forreine countrie should aduance him in time, obeied the kings
pleasure.

[Sidenote: A strange woonder.]
About the third yéere of Brightrikes reigne, there fell vpon mens
garments, as they walked abroad, crosses of bloudie colour, and bloud
fell from heauen as drops of raine. Some tooke this woonder for
[Sidenote: _Matt. West._ _Wil. Malm._ _Hen. Hunt._
Danes.]
a signification of the persecution that followed by the Danes: for
shortlie after, in the yeere insuing, there arriued thrée Danish ships
vpon the English coasts, against whome the lieutenant of the parties
adjoining made foorth, to apprehend those that were come on land,
howbeit aduenturing himselfe ouer rashlie amongst them, he was slaine:
but afterwards when the Danes perceiued that the people of the
countries about began to assemble, and were comming against them, they
fled to their ships, and left their prey and spoile behind them for
that time. These were the first Danes that arriued here in this land,
being onelie sent (as was perceiued after) to view the countrie and
coasts of the same, to vnderstand how with a greater power they might
be able to inuade it, as shortlie after they did, and warred so with