^be Bnolo^Sajron iperiob. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



ITS CUSTOMS. 



If we study the Anglo-Saxon Ciironicle, we shall be struck by 

 the frequent recurrence of famine and pestilence, disasters not 

 infrequently associated with signs in the heavens.^ These 

 events are markedly features of the period under discussion. 

 For up to the Teutonic invasion there is but one record of 

 famine ; that occurring in a.d. 48, and accounted for by the 

 invasion of Claudius the preceding year — an event which no 

 doubt interrupted what little agriculture prevailed in those 

 early times. In 664, on the 3rd of May the sun was eclipsed, 

 and shortly after there was a great pestilence. In 671 was a 

 great destruction among the birds. In 685 the air rained 

 blood, and milk and butter were turned to blood. 761 was a 

 severe winter. 793 was fraught with dire forebodings, such 

 as whirlwinds and fiery dragons in the air, followed by a great 

 famine. 895, 896, 897, were years memorable for the mortality 

 amongst men and cattle. 976 was a year of great famine, and 

 was remarkable for the appearance of a fiery portent, generally 

 at midnight (probably the aurora borealis), but was unaccom- 

 panied by disaster. In 986 first came the great murrain 

 among cattle. On the 28th September, 1014, was a great 

 sea-ilood, which washed away many vills and countless numbers 

 of people. In 1030 arose the wildfire, such as no man before 

 remembered. In 1039 was the great wind, and the sester of 

 wheat went up to 35 pence, and even higher. In 1041 it was 



1 Vide the English translation of the Saxon Chronicle in Munumenta 

 Hist. Brit. 



94 



