The Dragon was thoroughly overhauled and repaired, for none could say how soon fresh fleets of the Northmen might make their appearance upon the southern shores of England.

It was not long, indeed, before the Northmen reappeared, a great fleet sailing up the Thames at the beginning of the winter.

It ascended as high as Fulham, where a great camp was formed.

Seeing that the Saxons and East Anglians would unite against them did they advance further, the Danes remained quietly in their encampment during the winter, and in the spring again took ship and sailed for France.
For the next two years England enjoyed comparative quiet, the Danes turning their attention to France and Holland, sailing up the Maas, Scheldt, Somme, and Seine.

Spreading from these rivers they carried fire and sword over a great extent of country.