Old English Online

In the year 897, King Alfred the Great decided to deal with marauding bands of Danish Vikings, who would raid coastal areas all around the southern part of England. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle relates his activities that year, and the generally satisfactory outcome.

Reading and Textual Analysis

The Chronicle story is generally self-explanatory. After setting the stage, it notes the events that followed Alfred's construction of new warships to counter the Vikings. He dispatches nine of them on a mission. Six pirate ships are spotted beached on a riverbank near the sea, with guards posted, while raiders plunder inland. When the guards spy Alfred's vessels, they launch three of their ships to engage the English.

Our selection includes lines 159-193, found on p. 37 in: Charles T. Onions, ed. (1959), Sweet's Anglo-Saxon Reader in Prose and Verse, 14th edition, Oxford: Clarendon.

Ðá þæs on sumera on ðysum gére tófór se here, sum on Éastengle, sum on Norðhymbre.

• ðá -- adverb <þá> then, when -- ...
• þæs -- demonstrative pronoun; genitive singular neuter of <sé, séo, ðæt> that -- ...
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- in
• sumera -- noun, masculine; dative singular of <sumor> summer -- summer
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- in
• ðysum -- demonstrative article; dative singular neuter of <ðes, ðéos, ðis> this -- this
• gére -- noun, neuter; dative singular of <géar> year -- year
• tófór -- strong verb, class VI; 3rd person plural preterite of <tó-faran, tó-fór, tó-fóron, tó-faren> disperse, separate -- dispersed
• se -- definite article; nominative singular masculine of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• here -- noun, masculine; nominative singular of <here> (enemy) army -- enemy # the Danish army: the Vikings
• sum -- adjective; nominative singular masculine of <sum> some, a certain -- some
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- into
• Éastengle -- proper noun, masculine plural; accusative of <Éast-Engle> East Angles, East Anglia -- East Anglia
• sum -- adjective; nominative singular masculine of <sum> some, a certain -- some
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- into
• Norðhymbre -- proper noun, masculine plural; accusative of <Norð-hymbre> Northumbrians, Northumbria -- Northumbria

Ond þá þe feohléase wæron him þær scipu begéton, ond súð ofer sæ fóron tó Sigene.

• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- ...
• þá -- demonstrative pronoun; nominative plural of <sé, séo, ðæt> that -- those
• þe -- relative particle <þe> that, which, who -- who
• feohléase -- adjective; nominative plural of <feoh-léas> moneyless, lit. without cattle -- without money
• wæron -- anomalous verb; 3rd person plural preterite indicative of <wesan> be, happen -- were
• him -- 3rd person pronoun used as reflexive; dative plural of <hé, héo, hit> he, she, it -- themselves
• þær -- adverb <þær> there, where -- there
• scipu -- noun, neuter; accusative plural of <scip> ship -- ships
• begéton -- strong verb, class V; 3rd person plural preterite of <begietan, begeat, begéaton, begieten> get, acquire -- got
• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• súð -- adverb <súð> south(wards) -- south
• ofer -- preposition <ofer> over, across -- over
• sæ -- noun, feminine; accusative singular of <sæ> sea, lake -- the sea
• fóron -- strong verb, class VI; 3rd person plural preterite of <faran, fór, fóron, faren> go, ride, travel -- went
• tó -- preposition <tó> (in)to -- to
• Sigene -- proper noun, feminine; dative singular of <Sigen> Seine -- the Seine

Næfde se here, Godes þonces, Angelcyn ealles forswíðe gebrocod, ac híe wæron micle swíþor gebrocede on þæm þrim géarum mid céapes cwilde ond monna;

• næfde -- adverb <ne> not + weak verb, class III; 3rd person singular preterite <habban, hæfde, hæfd> have, possess -- had not
• se -- definite article; nominative singular masculine of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• here -- noun, masculine; nominative singular of <here> (enemy) army -- enemy # the Danes
• Godes -- proper noun, masculine; genitive singular of <God> deity, God -- of God
• þonces -- noun, masculine; genitive singular of <ðanc> thanks, grace, mercy -- (by) the mercy # adverbial genitive
• Angelcyn -- proper noun, neuter; accusative singular of <Angel-cynn> English, lit. Angle kin -- the English
• ealles -- adjective; genitive singular of <eall> all -- altogether # adverbial genitive
• forswíðe -- adverb <forswíðe> utterly, excessively -- entirely
• gebrocod -- weak verb, class II; past participle of <gebrocian, gebrocede, gebroced> crush; hurt, afflict -- crushed
• ac -- conjunction <ac> and, but, however -- but
• híe -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative plural of <hé, héo, hit> he, she, it -- they
• wæron -- anomalous verb; 3rd person plural preterite indicative of <wesan> be, happen -- were
• micle -- adverb <micel> much, very -- much
• swíþor -- adverb; comparative of <swíðe> very, exceedingly -- more
• gebrocede -- weak verb, class II; past participle; nominative plural of <gebrocian, gebrocede, gebroced> crush; hurt, afflict -- afflicted
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- in
• þæm -- demonstrative article; dative plural of <se, séo, ðæt> that -- those
• þrim -- numeral; dative plural of <þríe, þréo, þréo> three -- three
• géarum -- noun, neuter; dative plural of <géar> year -- years
• mid -- preposition <mid> with -- by
• céapes -- noun, masculine; genitive singular of <céap> cattle -- of cattle
• cwilde -- noun, masc/fem/neut; dative singular of <cwild> disease, plague, pestilence -- pestilence
• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• monna -- noun, masculine; genitive plural of <monn> man, person -- of men

ealles swíþost mid þæm þæt manige þára sélestena cynges þéna þe þær on londe wæron forðférdon on þæm þrym géarum.

• ealles -- adjective; genitive singular of <eall> all -- of all
• swíþost -- adverb; superlative of <swíðe> very, exceedingly -- most
• mid -- preposition <mid> with -- among
• þæm -- demonstrative used as 3rd person pronoun; dative plural of <sé, séo, ðæt> he, she, it -- them
• þæt -- definite article; nominative singular neuter of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- ...
• manige -- adjective; nominative plural of <monig> many -- many
• þára -- definite article; genitive plural of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- (of) the
• sélestena -- adjective; comparative; genitive plural of <sélla> better -- best
• cynges -- strong noun, masculine; genitive singular of <cyning> king -- of the king's
• þéna -- strong noun, masculine; nominative plural of <þegn> thane, warrior -- thanes
• þe -- relative particle <þe> that, which, who -- who
• þær -- adverb <þær> there, where -- there
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- in
• londe -- strong noun, neuter; dative singular of <lond> land, realm, country -- the land
• wæron -- anomalous verb; 3rd person plural preterite indicative of <wesan> be, happen -- were
• forðférdon -- weak verb, class I; 3rd person plural preterite of <forð-féran, forð-férde, forð-féred> die, depart, lit. go forth -- died
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- within
• þæm -- demonstrative article; dative plural of <se, séo, ðæt> that -- those
• þrym -- numeral; dative plural of <þríe, þréo, þréo> three -- three
• géarum -- noun, neuter; dative plural of <géar> year -- years

Þára wæs sum Swíðulf biscop on Hrófesceastre, ond Céolmund ealdormon on Cent,

• þára -- demonstrative pronoun; genitive plural of <sé, séo, ðæt> that -- of these
• wæs -- anomalous verb; 3rd person singular preterite indicative of <wesan> be, happen -- was
• sum -- adjective used as substantive; nominative singular masculine of <sum> some, a certain -- one
• Swíðulf -- proper noun, masculine; nominative singular of <Swíðulf> Swithulf -- Swithulf
• biscop -- noun, masculine; nominative singular of <bisceop> bishop, prelate -- bishop
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- in
• Hrófesceastre -- proper noun, feminine; dative singular of <Hrófe-ceaster> Rochester -- Rochester
• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• Céolmund -- proper noun, masculine; nominative singular of <Céolmund> Ceolmund -- Ceolmund
• ealdormon -- noun, masculine; nominative singular of <ealdor-monn> nobleman, lit. older man -- (a) nobleman
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- in
• Cent -- proper noun, feminine; dative singular of <Cent> Kent -- Kent

ond Beorhtulf ealdormon on Éastseaxum, ond Wulfred ealdormon Hámtúnscíre,

• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• Beorhtulf -- proper noun, masculine; nominative singular of <Beorhtulf> Bertulf -- Bertulf
• ealdormon -- noun, masculine; nominative singular of <ealdor-monn> nobleman, lit. older man -- (a) nobleman
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- in
• Éastseaxum -- proper noun, masculine plural; dative of <Éast-Seaxan> East Saxons, Essex -- Essex
• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• Wulfred -- proper noun, masculine; nominative singular of <Wulfred> Wulfred -- Wulfred
• ealdormon -- noun, masculine; nominative singular of <ealdor-monn> nobleman, lit. older man -- (a) nobleman
• Hámtúnscíre -- proper noun, feminine; dative singular of <Hámtún-scír> Hampshire -- (in) Hampshire

ond Ealhheard biscop æt Dorceceastre, ond Éadulf cynges þegn on Súðseaxum,

• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• Ealhheard -- proper noun, masculine; nominative singular of <Ealhheard> Elhard -- Elhard
• biscop -- noun, masculine; nominative singular of <bisceop> bishop, prelate -- bishop
• æt -- preposition <æt> at, against -- at
• Dorceceastre -- proper noun, feminine; dative singular of <Dorce-ceastre> Dorchester -- Dorchester
• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• Éadulf -- proper noun, masculine; nominative singular of <Éadulf> Eadulf -- Eadulf
• cynges -- strong noun, masculine; genitive singular of <cyning> king -- the king's
• þegn -- strong noun, masculine; nominative singular of <þegn> thane, warrior -- thane
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- in
• Súðseaxum -- proper noun, masculine plural; dative of <Súð-Seaxan> South Saxons, Sussex -- Sussex

ond Beornulf wícgeréfa on Winteceastre, ond Ecgulf cynges horsþegn,

• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• Beornulf -- proper noun, masculine; nominative singular of <Beornulf> Bernuff -- Bernuff
• wícgeréfa -- noun, masculine; nominative singular of <wíc-geréfa> lit. wick-reeve -- governor
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- in
• Winteceastre -- proper noun, feminine; dative singular of <Winte-ceastre> Winchester -- Winchester
• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• Ecgulf -- proper noun, masculine; nominative singular of <Ecgulf> Egulf -- Egulf
• cynges -- strong noun, masculine; genitive singular of <cyning> king -- the king's
• horsþegn -- strong noun, masculine; nominative singular of <hors-þegn> horse-thane -- horse-thane

ond manige éac him, þéh ic ðá geðungnestan nemde.

• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• manige -- adjective; nominative plural of <monig> many -- many
• éac -- adverb <éac> also, even, moreover -- also
• him -- 3rd person pronoun; dative plural of <hé, héo, hit> he, she, it -- with them
• þéh -- adverbial conjunction <þéah> yet, though, however -- though
• ic -- 1st person pronoun; nominative singular of <ic> I -- I
• ðá -- definite article; accusative plural of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• geðungnestan -- adjective used as substantive; superlative; accusative plural of <geðungen> grown, excellent, distinguished -- most distinguished
• nemde -- weak verb, class I; 3rd person singular preterite of <nemnan, nemde, nemed> name, call -- have named

Þý ilcan géare drehton þá hergas on Éastenglum ond on Norðhymbrum Westseaxna lond swíðe be þæm súðstæðe mid stælhergum, ealra swíþust mid ðæm æscum þe híe fela géara ær timbredon.

• þý -- definite article; instrumental singular neuter of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- (in) the
• ilcan -- weak adjective; instrumental singular neuter of <ilca> same -- same
• géare -- noun, neuter; instrumental singular of <géar> year -- year
• drehton -- weak verb, class I; 3rd person plural preterite of <dreccan, drehte, dreht> afflict, harass -- harassed
• þá -- definite article; nominative plural of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• hergas -- noun, masculine; nominative plural of <here> (enemy) army -- plunderers
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- in
• Éastenglum -- proper noun, masculine plural; dative of <Éast-Engle> East Angles, East Anglia -- East Anglia
• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- ...
• Norðhymbrum -- proper noun, masculine plural; dative of <Norð-hymbre> Northumbrians, Northumbria -- Northumbria
• Westseaxna -- proper noun, masculine plural; genitive of <West-Seaxan> West Saxons, Wessex -- of the West Saxons
• lond -- strong noun, neuter; accusative singular of <lond> land, realm, country -- the land
• swíðe -- adverb <swíðe> very, exceedingly -- greatly
• be -- preposition <be> at, by, near -- around
• þæm -- definite article; dative singular neuter of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• súðstæðe -- noun, neuter; dative singular of <súð-stæð> south shore -- southern shore
• mid -- preposition <mid> with -- with
• stælhergum -- noun, masculine; dative plural of <stæl-here> marauding army -- marauding bands
• ealra -- adjective; genitive plural masculine of <eall> all -- of all
• swíþust -- adverb; superlative of <swíðe> very, exceedingly -- most
• mid -- preposition <mid> with -- with
• ðæm -- definite article; dative plural of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- ...
• æscum -- noun, masculine; dative plural of <æsc> ash (tree), spear; boat, ship -- ships
• þe -- relative particle <þe> that, which, who -- which
• híe -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative plural of <hé, héo, hit> he, she, it -- they
• fela -- indeclinable adjective <fela> much, many -- many
• géara -- noun, neuter; genitive plural of <géar> year -- years
• ær -- adverb <ær> ere, before, formerly -- before
• timbredon -- weak verb, class I; 3rd person plural preterite of <timbran, timbrede, timbred> build, construct -- built

Þá hét Ælfred cyng timbran lang scipu ongén ðá æscas;

• þá -- adverb <þá> then, when -- then
• hét -- strong verb, class VII; 3rd person singular preterite of <hátan, heht, héton, háten> call, name; order -- ordered
• Ælfred -- proper noun, masculine; nominative singular of <Ælfred> Alfred -- Alfred
• cyng -- strong noun, masculine; nominative singular of <cyning> king -- King
• timbran -- weak verb, class I; infinitive of <timbran, timbrede, timbred> build, construct -- (his men) to build # subject understood
• lang -- adjective; accusative plural of <lang> long -- long
• scipu -- noun, neuter; accusative plural of <scip> ship -- ships
• ongén -- preposition <ongéan> against, back -- against
• ðá -- definite article; accusative plural of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• æscas -- noun, masculine; accusative plural of <æsc> ash (tree), spear; boat, ship -- (Danish) ships

þá wæron fulnéah tú swá lange swá þá óðru;

• þá -- demonstrative used as 3rd person pronoun; nominative plural of <sé, séo, ðæt> he, she, it -- they
• wæron -- anomalous verb; 3rd person plural preterite indicative of <wesan> be, happen -- were
• fulnéah -- adverb <fulnéah> almost, very nearly -- almost # "full nigh"
• tú -- numeral; nominative plural neuter of <twégen, twá, tú> twain, two -- twice
• swá -- adverb <swá> so, thus -- as
• lange -- adjective; nominative plural of <lang> long -- long
• swá -- adverb <swá> so, thus -- as
• þá -- definite article; nominative plural of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• óðru -- adjective used as substantive; nominative plural of <óðer> other, next, second -- others

sume hæfdon LX ára, sume má;

• sume -- adjective used as substantive; nominative plural of <sum> some, a certain -- some
• hæfdon -- weak verb, class III; 3rd person plural preterite indicative of <habban, hæfde, hæfd> have, possess -- had
• LX -- numeral <siextig> sixty -- 60
• ára -- noun, feminine; genitive plural of <ár> oar -- (of) oars
• sume -- adjective used as substantive; nominative plural of <sum> some, a certain -- some
• má -- anomalous adjective; comparative of <micel> much, great -- more

þá wæron ægðer ge swiftran ge unwealtran ge éac híerran þonne þá óðru;

• þá -- demonstrative used as 3rd person pronoun; nominative plural of <sé, séo, ðæt> he, she, it -- they
• wæron -- anomalous verb; 3rd person plural preterite indicative of <wesan> be, happen -- were
• ægðer -- conjunction <æg-hwæðer> both...and -- both
• ge -- conjunction <ge> both...and, either...or -- ...
• swiftran -- adjective; comparative; nominative plural of <swift> swift -- swifter
• ge -- conjunction <ge> both...and, either...or -- and
• unwealtran -- adjective; comparative; nominative plural of <unwealt> steady -- steadier
• ge -- conjunction <ge> both...and, either...or -- and
• éac -- adverb <éac> also, even, moreover -- also
• híerran -- adjective; comparative; nominative plural of <héah> high -- higher
• þonne -- adverb <þonne> then, when -- than
• þá -- definite article; nominative plural of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• óðru -- adjective used as substantive; nominative plural of <óðer> other, next, second -- others

næron náwðer ne on Frésisc gescæpene ne on Denisc, búton swá him selfum ðúhte þæt híe nytwyrðoste béon meahten.

• næron -- contraction; adverb <ne> not + anomalous verb; 3rd person plural preterite indicative of <wesan> be, happen -- (they) were # double negative, for emphasis
• náwðer -- conjunction <ná-hwæðer> neither...nor -- neither
• ne -- adverb <ne> not -- ...
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- on
• Frésisc -- proper adjective; accusative singular of <Frésisc> Frisian -- the Frisian
• gescæpene -- strong verb, class VI; past participle; plural of <gescieppan, gescóp, gescópon, gesceapen> shape, create -- shaped
• ne -- adverb <ne> not -- nor
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- on
• Denisc -- proper adjective; accusative singular of <Denisc> Danish -- the Danish (model)
• búton -- conjunction <búton> unless; except (that) -- but
• swá -- adverbial conjunction <swá> so, thus -- as
• him -- 3rd person pronoun; dative singular masculine of <hé, héo, hit> he, she, it -- (to) he
• selfum -- reflexive pronoun; dative singular of <self> self, same -- himself
• ðúhte -- weak verb, class I; 3rd person singular preterite of <ðyncan, ðúhte, geðúht> seem, appear; think -- (it) seemed
• þæt -- subordinating conjunction <þæt> that -- ...
• híe -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative plural of <hé, héo, hit> he, she, it -- they
• nytwyrðoste -- adjective; superlative; nominative plural of <nyt-wyrðe> useful -- most useful
• béon -- anomalous verb; infinitive of <béon> be, become, exist -- be
• meahten -- modal (preterit-present) verb, class V; 3rd person plural preterite subjunctive of <magan, mæg, magon, meahte> may, be able to -- might

Þá æt sumum cirre þæs ilcan géares cómon þær sex scipu tó Wiht, ond þær mycel yfel gedydon, ægðer ge on Defenum ge wel hwær be ðæm særiman.

• þá -- adverb <þá> then, when -- ...
• æt -- preposition <æt> at, against -- at
• sumum -- adjective; dative singular masculine of <sum> some, a certain -- a certain
• cirre -- noun, masculine; dative singular of <cierr> occasion, time, turn -- time
• þæs -- definite article; genitive singular neuter of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- (of) the
• ilcan -- weak adjective; genitive singular neuter of <ilca> same -- same
• géares -- noun, neuter; genitive singular of <géar> year -- year
• cómon -- strong verb, class IV; 3rd person plural preterite of <cuman, cwóm, cwómon, cumen> come -- came
• þær -- adverb <þær> there, where -- there
• sex -- numeral <siex> six -- six
• scipu -- noun, neuter; nominative plural of <scip> ship -- ships # i.e., Danish Viking ships
• tó -- preposition <tó> (in)to -- to
• Wiht -- proper noun, feminine; accusative singular of <Wiht> (Isle of) Wight -- (the Isle of) Wight
• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• þær -- adverb <þær> there, where -- there
• mycel -- adjective; accusative singular neuter of <micel> much, great -- much
• yfel -- noun, neuter; accusative singular of <yfel> evil, mischief, wickedness -- mischief
• gedydon -- anomalous verb; 3rd person plural preterite indicative of <gedón> act, do, bring to pass -- did
• ægðer -- conjunction <æg-hwæðer> both...and -- both
• ge -- conjunction <ge> both...and, either...or -- ...
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- in
• Defenum -- proper noun, masculine plural; dative of <Defenas> Devonians, Devonshire -- Devonshire
• ge -- conjunction <ge> both...and, either...or -- and
• wel hwær -- adverb <wel hwær> almost everywhere -- almost everywhere
• be -- preposition <be> at, by, near -- near
• ðæm -- definite article; dative singular masculine of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• særiman -- noun, masculine; dative singular of <sæ-rima> seashore, seacoast -- seacoast

Þá hét se cyng faran mid nigonum tó þára níwena scipa;

• þá -- adverb <þá> then, when -- then
• hét -- strong verb, class VII; 3rd person singular preterite of <hátan, heht, héton, háten> call, name; order -- ordered
• se -- definite article; nominative singular masculine of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• cyng -- strong noun, masculine; nominative singular of <cyning> king -- king
• faran -- strong verb, class VI; infinitive of <faran, fór, fóron, faren> go, ride, travel -- to go
• mid -- preposition <mid> with -- with
• nigonum -- numeral; dative plural of <nigon> nine -- nine
• tó -- preposition <tó> (in)to -- (of)
• þára -- definite article; genitive plural of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• níwena -- adjective; genitive plural of <níwe> new, fresh -- new
• scipa -- noun, neuter; genitive plural of <scip> ship -- ships

ond forfóran him þone múðan foran on útermere.

• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• forfóran -- strong verb, class VI; 3rd person plural preterite of <for-faran, for-fór, for-fóron, for-faren> obstruct, get in front of -- (they) blocked
• him -- 3rd person pronoun; dative plural of <hé, héo, hit> he, she, it -- ... # the Danes' escape via...
• þone -- definite article; accusative singular masculine of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• múðan -- noun, masculine; accusative singular of <múða> mouth of a river, estuary -- mouth of the river
• foran -- adverb <foran> before, in front -- in front
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- (of)
• útermere -- noun, masculine; accusative singular of <úter-mere> outer sea, open sea -- the open sea

Þá fóron híe mid þrim scipum út ongén híe, ond þréo stódon æt ufeweardum þæm múðan on drýgum;

• þá -- adverb <þá> then, when -- ...
• fóron -- strong verb, class VI; 3rd person plural preterite of <faran, fór, fóron, faren> go, ride, travel -- rode
• híe -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative plural of <hé, héo, hit> he, she, it -- they # the Danes
• mid -- preposition <mid> with -- with
• þrim -- numeral; dative plural of <þríe, þréo, þréo> three -- three
• scipum -- noun, neuter; dative plural of <scip> ship -- ships
• út -- adverb <út> out -- out
• ongén -- preposition <ongéan> against, back -- against
• híe -- 3rd person pronoun; accusative plural of <hé, héo, hit> he, she, it -- them # Alfred's men
• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• þréo -- numeral; nominative plural neuter of <þríe, þréo, þréo> three -- three
• stódon -- strong verb, class VI; 3rd person plural preterite of <standan, stód, stódon, standen> stand -- remained
• æt -- preposition <æt> at, against -- ...
• ufeweardum -- adjective; dative singular of <ufe-weard> upward -- upwards (of)
• þæm -- definite article; dative singular neuter of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• múðan -- noun, masculine; dative singular of <múða> mouth of a river, estuary -- river mouth
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- on
• drýgum -- adjective; dative singular of <drýge> dry -- dry (ground)

wæron þá men uppe on londe of ágáne.

• wæron -- anomalous verb; 3rd person plural preterite indicative of <wesan> be, happen -- (had)
• þá -- definite article; nominative plural of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• men -- strong noun, masculine; nominative plural of <monn> man, person -- men # the missing Danes
• uppe -- adverb <uppe> up, above -- up
• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- in-
• londe -- strong noun, neuter; dative singular of <lond> land, realm, country -- land
• of -- preposition <of> from, of -- ...
• ágáne -- anomalous verb; past participle of <á-gán> pass, occur, lit. away go -- gone away

Þá geféngon híe þára þréora scipa tú æt ðæm múðan úteweardum, ond þá men ofslógon, ond þæt án oðwand;

• þá -- adverb <þá> then, when -- ...
• geféngon -- strong verb, class VII; 3rd person plural preterite of <gefón, geféng, geféngon, gefangen> take, seize -- took # gefangen or gefongen
• híe -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative plural of <hé, héo, hit> he, she, it -- they
• þára -- definite article; genitive plural of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- of the
• þréora -- numeral; genitive plural of <þríe, þréo, þréo> three -- three
• scipa -- noun, neuter; genitive plural of <scip> ship -- ships
• tú -- numeral; accusative plural neuter of <twégen, twá, tú> twain, two -- two
• æt -- preposition <æt> at, against -- at
• ðæm -- definite article; dative singular masculine of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• múðan -- noun, masculine; dative singular of <múða> mouth of a river, estuary -- river mouth
• úteweardum -- adjective; dative singular masculine of <úte-weard> outward -- outer
• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• þá -- definite article; accusative plural of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• men -- strong noun, masculine; accusative plural of <monn> man, person -- men
• ofslógon -- strong verb, class VI; 3rd person plural preterite of <ofslean, ofslóh, ofslógon, ofslægen> slay, destroy -- slew # ofslóh or ofslóg
• ond -- conjunction <and> and -- and
• þæt -- definite article; nominative singular neuter of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• án -- indefinite article; nominative singular of <án> a, an, one -- (other) one
• oðwand -- strong verb, class III; 3rd person singular preterite of <oðwindan, oðwand, oðwundon, oðwunden> escape -- escaped

on þæm wæron éac þá men ofslægene búton fífum...

• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- on
• þæm -- demonstrative used as 3rd person pronoun; dative singular neuter of <sé, séo, ðæt> he, she, it -- it
• wæron -- anomalous verb; 3rd person plural preterite indicative of <wesan> be, happen -- were
• éac -- adverb <éac> also, even, moreover -- also
• þá -- definite article; accusative plural of <se, séo, ðæt> the -- the
• men -- strong noun, masculine; accusative plural of <monn> man, person -- men
• ofslægene -- strong verb, class VI; past participle of <ofslean, ofslóh, ofslógon, ofslægen> slay, destroy -- slain
• búton -- preposition <búton> without, except for -- except for
• fífum -- numeral; dative plural of <fíf> five -- five

Lesson Text

Ðá þæs on sumera on ðysum gére tófór se here, sum on Éastengle, sum on Norðhymbre. Ond þá þe feohléase wæron him þær scipu begéton, ond súð ofer sæ fóron tó Sigene.

Næfde se here, Godes þonces, Angelcyn ealles forswíðe gebrocod, ac híe wæron micle swíþor gebrocede on þæm þrim géarum mid céapes cwilde ond monna; ealles swíþost mid þæm þæt manige þára sélestena cynges þéna þe þær on londe wæron forðférdon on þæm þrym géarum. Þára wæs sum Swíðulf biscop on Hrófesceastre, ond Céolmund ealdormon on Cent, ond Beorhtulf ealdormon on Éastseaxum, ond Wulfred ealdormon Hámtúnscíre, ond Ealhheard biscop æt Dorceceastre, ond Éadulf cynges þegn on Súðseaxum, ond Beornulf wícgeréfa on Winteceastre, ond Ecgulf cynges horsþegn, ond manige éac him, þéh ic ðá geðungnestan nemde.

Þý ilcan géare drehton þá hergas on Éastenglum ond on Norðhymbrum Westseaxna lond swíðe be þæm súðstæðe mid stælhergum, ealra swíþust mid ðæm æscum þe híe fela géara ær timbredon. Þá hét Ælfred cyng timbran lang scipu ongén ðá æscas; þá wæron fulnéah tú swá lange swá þá óðru; sume hæfdon LX ára, sume má; þá wæron ægðer ge swiftran ge unwealtran ge éac híerran þonne þá óðru; næron náwðer ne on Frésisc gescæpene ne on Denisc, búton swá him selfum ðúhte þæt híe nytwyrðoste béon meahten. Þá æt sumum cirre þæs ilcan géares cómon þær sex scipu tó Wiht, ond þær mycel yfel gedydon, ægðer ge on Defenum ge wel hwær be ðæm særiman. Þá hét se cyng faran mid nigonum tó þára níwena scipa; ond forfóran him þone múðan foran on útermere. Þá fóron híe mid þrim scipum út ongén híe, ond þréo stódon æt ufeweardum þæm múðan on drýgum; wæron þá men uppe on londe of ágáne. Þá geféngon híe þára þréora scipa tú æt ðæm múðan úteweardum, ond þá men ofslógon, ond þæt án oðwand; on þæm wæron éac þá men ofslægene búton fífum...

Translation

In summer in this year the enemy dispersed, some into East Anglia, some into Northumbria. Those who were without money got themselves ships there, and went south over the sea to the Seine.

The enemy had not, by the mercy of God, entirely crushed the English altogether, but they were afflicted much more in those three years by pestilence of cattle and of men; most of all among them many of the best of the king's thanes who were there in the land died within those three years. One of these was Swithulf, bishop in Rochester, and Ceolmund, a nobleman in Kent, and Bertulf, a nobleman in Essex, and Wulfred, a nobleman in Hampshire, and Elhard, bishop at Dorchester, and Eadulf, the king's thane in Sussex, and Bernuff, governor in Winchester, Egulf, the king's horse-thane, and many also with them, though I have named (only) the most distinguished.

In the same year the plunderers in East Anglia and Northumbria greatly harassed the land of the West Saxons around the southern shore with marauding bands, most of all with ships which they built many years before. Then King Alfred ordered (his men) to build long ships (to be used) against the (Danish) ships; they were almost twice as long as the others; some had 60 oars, some more. They were both swifter and steadier and also higher than the others; they were shaped neither on the Frisian nor on the Danish (model), but as it seemed -- to he himself -- they might be most useful. At a certain time of the same year there came six ships to (the Isle of) Wight, and did much mischief there, both in Devonshire and almost everywhere near the seacoast. Then the King ordered (his men) to go (out) with nine of the new ships; and they blocked the mouth of the river in front of the open sea. They rode out against them with three ships, and three (others) remained upwards of the river mouth on dry (ground); the men had gone away, up inland. They took two of the three ships at the outer river mouth, and slew the men, and the (other) one escaped; the men on it were also slain, except for five...

Grammar

21. Definite/Demonstrative Articles/Pronouns

The definite articles may as well be considered suppletive, as they are difficult to predict. There are two numbers (singular, plural), three genders in the singular (masculine, feminine, neuter), and five cases (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, instrumental).

The plural forms do not exhibit gender; or, alternately, one might say that all three genders have the same form in each case:

Alternative spellings are common, including of course ð rendered as þ.

The neuter form ðæt looks familiar to a modern English speaker because it survived as the demonstrative article/pronoun 'that'. In Old English, the definite article above also served as the demonstrative article/pronoun 'that, those', with the difference that the pronoun was stressed and the masculine nominative form is therefore usually spelled sé.

Corresponding to 'that, those', modern English has the demonstrative 'this, these', which is derived from the Old English neuter demonstrative form ðis:

Again the plural forms do not indicate distinct gender:

In some forms an s might be doubled or singled, as indicated; other variant spellings are also shown.

Again, when used as a demonstrative pronoun, stress was applied and is therefore usually indicated by spelling the masculine nominative form as ðés.

22. The Numerals

The OE word for 'one', án, was not well distinguished as it served also in the role of indefinite article (for example, in this lesson text); as such it could be inflected (for example, the [inherently singular] dative ánum in lessons 3 and 4), and combined with the negative particle ne (for example nán in lesson 4).

In theory the OE words for 'two' and 'three', twégen, twá, tú and þríe, þréo, þréo respectively, reflect gender -- like pronouns -- depending on what the forms referred to (i.e., what they were counting), but only the nominative/accusative forms show distinct gender. When nominal referents have different genders, the neuter form is normal. In practice the use of relevant gender forms is inconsistent. Grammatical number is, of course, inherently plural. The inflected forms for 'two' and 'three' are shown in the following tables.

Spelling Notes

The r in genitive twégra is optional, or can be replaced by e; the dative can be spelled twám as in the lesson 4 text. The pronoun bégen 'both' (not shown) is inflected like twégen, twá, tú, but exhibits many variations.

Spelling Notes

The dative þrím can be spelled þrim, as in our lesson text; the long é vowels can be long í (þrío, þríora).

Higher-Order Numerals

Higher-order numerals (above 'three', e.g. fíf 'five' and nigon 'nine' in this lesson) may also be inflected for case, but they identify no gender; however, inflection is normally absent when the numeral is used adjectivally to modify a noun. The inflectional case endings, when used, were nominative/accusative -e, genitive -a, and dative -um. Some uninflected cardinal forms are listed in the following table:

Spelling Notes

The spelling of féower can also be fíower; of siex, six or sex or syx; of seofon, siofon; of tíen, týn; of endlefan, endleofan or endlufan; of hund, hundred. The -tíene suffix is also spelled -téne or -týne. Roman numerals might also be used, as for example LX in our lesson text.

23. Preterite-Present Verbs in Class V

Preterite-Present verbs were introduced and described in lesson 3, §15. Our text in this lesson, as well as texts in other lessons, contains the preterite-present verb magan 'may, be able to', which evolved into modern English may and might; we illustrate Class V with magan and another preterite-present verb, nugan 'suffice'.

24. Strong Verbs in Class VI

The nominal four-vowel ablaut pattern is -a-, -ó-, -ó-, -a-; ancient sound changes resulted in variations that we illustrate with 3 example conjugations.

Our text in this lesson (and others) contains the verbs standan 'stand', and gescieppan 'shape, create' formed from the prefix ge- (discussed elsewhere) plus the verb scieppan 'create'; the text in lesson 3 contains the verb ofslean 'slay, destroy', formed from the prefix of- plus the verb slean 'strike'. We conjugate these three to illustrate the strong verbs in Class VI, which as usual exhibit spelling variations (not all listed here) due to sound changes including dialectal differences.

A sampling of modern English verbs descended from other OE Strong VI verbs in our lesson texts includes wade, withstand.

25. Strong Verbs in Class VII

Strong Class VII is the "dumping ground" for the otherwise unclassified strong verbs in Old English. The four-vowel ablaut patterns are quite variable, except that the two preterite vowels generally distribute the patterns into 2 subclasses:

• the -é--preterite subclass with the pattern -, -é-, -é-, -; and
• the -éo--preterite subclass with the pattern -, -éo-, -éo-, -.