was Earle of Deuonshire) there died an other valiant man of warre
named Strenwold. In the yeere 991, Brightnod earle of Essex, at Maldon
gaue battell to an armie of Danes (which vnder their leaders Iustine
and Guthmond had spoiled Gipswich) and was there ouercome and slaine
with the most part of his people, and so the Danes obteined in that
place the victorie.

[Sidenote: _991_.]
In the same yéere, and in the 13 yeere of, king Egelreds reigne,
when the land was on each side sore afflicted, wasted and haried by
the Danes, which couered the same as they had béene grashoppers: by
the aduise of the archbishop of Canturburie Siricius (which was the
second of that sée after Dunstane) a composition was taken with the
[Sidenote: Ten thousand pounds paid to the Danes. Danegilt.]
Danes, so that for the sum of ten thousand pounds to be paied to
them by the king, they should couenant not to trouble his subjects
anie further. This monie was called Danegilt or Dane monie, and was
leuied of the people. Although other take that to be Danegilt, which
was giuen vnto such Danes as king Egelred afterwards reteined in his
seruice, to defend the land from other Danes and enimies that sought
to inuade his dominions. But by what name so euer this monie (which
the Danes now receiued) was called, true it is that herevpon they
[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ 992.]
ceassed from their most cruell inuasions for a time. But shortlie
after they had refreshed themselues, and recouered new strength, they
began to play their old parts againe, dooing the like mischéefe by
their semblable inuasions, as they had vsed before. By reason hereof
such feare came vpon the English people, that they despaired to be
able to resist the enimies.