yet by that which is héeretofore shewed out of Simon Dunelm, it is
euident, that there reigned kings ouer the Northumbers, but in what
authoritie and power to command, it may be doubted.

Howbeit this is certeine, that the sundrie murtherings and banishments
of their kings and dukes giue vs greatlie to gesse, that there was but
sorie obedience vsed in the countrie, whereby for no small space of
time that kingdome remained without an head gouernor, being set open
to the prey and iniurie of them that were borderers vnto it, and
likewise vnto strangers. For the Danes, which in those daies were
great rouers, had landed before in the north parts, & spoiled the
[Sidenote: This chanced in the yéere of our Lord 700,
as _Simon Dun._ saith.]
abbeie of Lindesferne otherwise called holie Iland, and perceiuing
the fruitfulnesse of the countrie, and easinesse for their people to
inuade it (bicause that through their priuate quarelling there was
little publike resistance to be looked for) at their comming home,
[Sidenote: The Danes inuade Northumberland.]
entised their countriemen to make voiages into England, and so landing
in Northumberland did much hurt, and obtained a great part of the
countrie in manner without resistance, bicause there was no ruler
there able to raise anie power of men by publike authoritie to
incounter with the common enimies, whereby the countrie was brought
into great miserie, partlie with war of the Danes, and ciuill
dissention amongest the nobles and people themselues, no man being of
authoritie (I say) able to reforme such misorders. Yet we find
[Sidenote: The Danes vanquished. This was in anno 794
as _Simon Dun._ saith.]
that the nobles and capteines of the countrie assembling togither
at one time against the Danes that were landed about Tinmouth,