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 mischeefe 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.

[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._ A nauie set forth.]
The king yet caused a nauie to be set foorth at London, whereof
he appointed earle Alfrike (whome before he had banished) to be high
admerall, ioining with him earle Turold. This nauie did set forward
from London toward the enimies, who hauing warning giuen them from
Alfrike, escaped away without hurt. Shortly after a greater nauie of
the Danes came, and incountered with the kings fleet, so that a great
[Sidenote: Alfrike a traitour to his countrie. _Matth. West._]
number of the Londoners were slaine, and all the kings ships
taken: for Alfrike like a traitor turned to the Danes side.