historical importance, and so your inquisitive mind will not feel
wearied if I treat the matter in some detail.

It was, then, upon the day of Mercury, immediately following the Feast
of Our Blessed Lord's Ascension, that I found myself upon the south bank
of the river Thames, at the point where it opens into a wide estuary.
There is an island there named Thanet, which was the spot chosen for the
landfall of our visitors. Sure enough, I had no sooner ridden up than
there was a great red ship, the first as it seems of three, coming in
under full sail. The white horse, which is the ensign of these rovers,
was hanging from her topmast, and she appeared to be crowded with men.
The sun was shining brightly, and the great scarlet ship, with
snow-white sails and a line of gleaming shields slung over her side,
made as fair a picture on that blue expanse as one would wish to see.

I pushed off at once in a boat, because it had been arranged that none
of the Saxons should land until the king had come down to speak with
their leaders. Presently I was under the ship, which had a gilded
dragon in the bows, and a tier of oars along either side. As I looked
up, there was a row of helmeted heads looking down at me, and among them
I saw, to my great surprise and pleasure, that of Eric the Swart, with
whom I do business at Venta every year. He greeted me heartily when I
reached the deck, and became at once my guide, friend, and counsellor.
This helped me greatly with these Barbarians, for it is their nature
that they are very cold and aloof unless one of their own number can
vouch for you, after which they are very hearty and hospitable.
Try as they will, they find it hard, however, to avoid a certain
suggestion of condescension, and in the baser sort, of contempt, when
they are dealing with a foreigner.