n the year of the Lord’s Incarnation [885], (the thirty-seventh of King Alfred’s life), the Vikingarmy split up into two bands: one band set out for [the East Frankish kingdom], and the other, coming to Britain, entered Kent and besieged the city which in English is called Rochester, situated on the eastern bank of the river Medway. The Vikings immediately constructed astrong fortification for themselves in front of its entrance, but they were unable to capture thecity because the citizens defended themselves courageously until King Alfred arrived, bringingthem relief with a large army. Thereupon the Vikings, abandoning their fortress, . . . fled quicklyto their ships."—from Asser’s Life of King Alfred, 884