passe ouer the Thames. And herewith the Westsaxons following the
victorie, brought vnder subiection of king Egbert the countries of
Kent, Essex, Southerie, and Sussex. The Eastangles also about
[Sidenote: _Henr. Hunt._]
the same time receiued king Egbert for their souereigne Lord, and
comforted by his setting on against Bernulfe king of Mercia, inuaded
the confines of his kingdome, in reuenge of displeasures which he had
doone to them latelie before, by inuading their countrie, and as it
[Sidenote: Bernulf king of Mercia slaine.]
came to passe, incountring with the said Bernulfe which came against
them to defend his countrie, they slue him in the field.

Thus their minds on both parts being kindled into further wrath,
the Eastangles eftsoones in the yeare following fought with them of
Mercia, and ouercame them againe, and slue their king Ludicenus, who
succéeded Bernulfe in that kingdome, with 5 of his earles. The state
of the kingdome of Mercia being weakened, Egbert conceiued an assured
hope of good successe, & in the 27 yeare of his reigne, made an open
inuasion into the countrie, and chasing Whitlafe king of Mercia (that
succéeded Ludicenus) out of his estate, conquered the whole kingdome
of the Mercies. But yet in the yéere next following, or in the third
yeare after, he restored it againe to Whitlafe, with condition, that
he should inioy the same as tributarie to him, and acknowledge him
[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._]
for his supreme gouernour. The same yeare that Bernulfe king of
[Sidenote: These were the Cornish men as is to be supposed.]
Mercia was slaine by the Eastangles, there was a sore battell foughten
at Gauelford, betwixt them of Deuonshire, and the Britains, in the
which manie thousands died on both parts.