Vpon knowledge giuen into Denmarke of the cruell murder of the Danes
here in England, truth it is, that the people of the countrie were
greatlie kindled in malice, and set in such a furious rage against
[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._ _Simon Dun._ The Danes returne to inuade England.]
the Englishmen, that with all spéed they made foorth a nauie full
fraught with men of warre, the which in the yeare following came
[Sidenote: Excester taken. 1002.]
swarming about the coasts of England, and landing in the west
countrie, tooke the citie of Excester, and gat there a rich
[Sidenote: Hugh a Norman conspireth with the Danes.]
spoile. One Hugh a Norman borne, whome queene Emma had placed in those
parties as gouernour or shirife there, conspired with the Danes, so
that all the countrie was ouerrun and wasted.

The king hearing that the Danes were thus landed, and spoiled the
west parts of the realme, he sent vnto Edricus to assemble a power to
withstand the enimies. Herevpon the people of Hampshire and Wiltshire
rose and got togither: but when the armies should ioine, earle
[Sidenote: The counterfait sicknesse of duke Edrike.]
Edricus surnamed de Streona feigned himselfe sicke, and so betraied
his people, of whome he had the conduct: for they perceiuing the want
[Sidenote: Wilton spoiled.]
in their leader, were discouraged, and so fled. The Danes followed
them vnto Wilton, which towne they rifled and ouercame. From thence
they went to Salisburie, and so taking their pleasure there, returned
[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._]
to their ships, because (as some write) they were aduertised that
[Sidenote: 1004.]
the king was comming towards them with an huge armie. In the yeare
next insuing, that is to saie 1004, which was about the 24 yeare