Swan the Forkbeard

994. Olaf and SWAN came to London, on the Nativity of St. Mary, with ninety-four ships, fighting constantly the city, and they meant, moreover, to set it on fire. But they there suffered more harm and evil than they ever believed any town-dwellers could have done them. In this God's holy mother showed her mercy to the town-dwellers and delivered them from their enemies; then they went from there, and wrought the most evil that any force had ever done, in burning, ravaging and killing, both along the sea-coast, in Essex, and in Kent, Sussex and Hampshire; finally they seized horses for themselves, and rode as widely as they would, working unspeakable evil. Then the king and his counselors advised that they be sent to, and tribute and provisions promised them, so that they would leave off harrying. Then they accepted that, and the whole force came to Southampton, and took winter quarters there. They were provisioned throughout all the West-Saxon kingdom, and they were given sixteen thousand pounds. Then the king sent bishop Aelfheah and ealdorman Aethelweard to King Olaf, and meanwhile, hostages were exchanged in the ships. Then they led Olaf, with much celebration, to the king at Andover. King Aethelred received him of the bishop's hands, and gave him kingly gifts. Olaf then promised him - that he would never again come to the English people in enmity.
1003. Exetcr was ruined. because of the Frankish peasant Hugh, whom the lady had set up as her reeve; the Danish force destroyed the town completely, and took much booty - A very great army was fathered from Wiltshire and Hampshire and went very resolutely against the force, The calderman Aelfric should have led the army, but he displayed his old wiles. As soon as they were close enough to look on one another, he feigned sickness and began retching to vomit. and said that he was taken ill; so he betrayed the people he should have led, as it is said: 'When the war-leader weakens, all the army is greatly hindered' When SWAN saw that they were not resolute, and all scattering, he led his force into Wilton, ravaged and burnt the borough, went to Salisbury, and from there went back to the sea. where he knew his wave-coursers were.