The Hardship of That Year

þe sindon earfeþe to areccenne. Eac on ðam ilcan geare ætforan hærfeste forbarn þæt halige mynster sancte Paule þe biscopstol on Lundene. 7 mænige oðre mynstres. 7 þæt mæste dæl 7 þæt rotteste ealle þære burh. Swylce eac on ðam ilcan timan forbarn fullneah ælc heafodport on eallon Englalande. Eala reowlic 7 wependlic tid wæs þæs geares. þe swa manig ungelimp wæs forðbringende. Eac on þam ilcan geare toforan Assumptio sancte Marie for Willelm cyng of Normandige into France mid fyrde. 7 hergode uppan his agenne hlaford Philippe þam cynge. 7 sloh of his mannon mycelne dæl. 7 forbearnde þa burh Maðante. 7 ealle þa halige mynstres þe wæron innon þære burh. 7 twegen halige menn þe hyrsumedon Gode on ancersettle wuniende. þær wæron forbearnde. Ðissum þus gedone. se cyng Willelm cearde ongean to Normandige. Reowlic þing he dyde. 7 reowlicor him gelamp. Hu reowlicor?

They are hard to recount. Also in that same year before harvest was burned the holy monastery of Saint Paul the bishop's seat in London. And many other monasteries. And the greatest part and the rottenest all of that city. Likewise also at that same time was burned almost every principal gate in all England. Alas, a sorrowful and lamentable time it was of that year, which brought forth so many misfortunes. Also in the same year before the Assumption of Saint Mary for King William of Normandy into France with an army. And he ravaged upon his own lord Philip the king. And slew a great part of his men. And burned the city Maudante. And all those holy monasteries that were within that city. And two holy men who obeyed God residing in anchorites' dwellings there were burned. Thus this was done: King William turned back to Normandy. A sorrowful thing he did, and more sorrowful happened to him. How much more sorrowful?