Apledore, in Saxon Apul∣tre, in Latine, Malus, that is, an Apletree.

IN the time of King Alfred, that great swarme of the Danes whiche annoyed this Realme, and found not here wher∣with to satisfie the hungrie gut of their rauenous appetite, brake their compa∣nie into twaine: whereof the one passed into Fraunce, vnder the conducte of Hasten, and the o∣ther remained here vnder the charge of Guthrune.

*This Hasten with his company, landed in Pontein, ranged ouer al Picardie, Normandie, Angeon, Poieton and passed ouer Loire, euen to Orleance, killing, bur∣ning, and spoiling whatsoeuer was in his way, in so muche that besides the pitifull butcherie committed vp∣on the people, and the inestimable bootie of their goods taken away, he consumed to ashes aboue nine hundreth religious houses, and Monasteries.

This done, he sent away .250. of his ships laden with riche spoile, whiche came hither againe, entring into the Riuer of Rother, (thē called as Leland wéeneth, Lymen, at the mouth wherof olde Winchelsey sometime stoode) and by soudaine surprise tooke a small Castle, that was foure or fiue miles within the land, at Apultre (as some thinke) whiche bycause it was not of sufficient strength for their defence and conuerture, they abated to the ground, and raised a newe, either in the same place, or els not farre from it.

Shortly after commethe Hasten himselfe also, with eightie saile more, and sailing vp the Riuer of Thamise, he fortifieth at Middleton nowe Mylton, ouer against Page  169 the Ile of Shepey: Whiche thing when King Alfred vnderstoode he, gathered his power with all haste, and marchinge into Kent, encamped betwéene the two hostes of his enemies, and did so beare him selfe, that in the end he constrained Hasten to desire peace, & to giue his owne othe and two of his Sonnes in hostage, for ob∣seruation of the same.

But howe soone after, Hasten forgot his distresse, and how litle he estéemed either his owne trouth pligh∣ted, or the liues of his children so pledged, it shall ap∣peare when we come to fitte place for it: In the meane while I let you know, that the booke of Domesday speaking of Apuldore, laieth it in the hun∣dreth of Blackburne, and describeth it to conteine eight Carnes, or Ploughlandes.