Thorkell, a Danish jarl, marched all through Wessex, and for three years more his host pillaged everywhere in the South.

In 1011, they killed AElfheah, the archbishop of Canterbury, at Greenwich.

When the country was wholly weakened, Swegen turned southward once more, this time with all Northumbria and Mercia at his back.

In 1013 he sailed round to Humber mouth, and thence up the Trent, to Gainsborough.

"Then Earl Uhtred and all Northumbrians soon bowed to him, and all the folk in Lindsey; and sithence the folk of the Five Burgs, and shortly after, all the host by north of Watling-street; and men gave him hostages of each shire." Swegen at once led the united army into England, leaving his son Cnut in Denalagu with the ships and hostages.