At an unknown date , which may have been in the early 640s , East Anglia was attacked by a Mercian army .
Ecgric was obliged to defend East Anglia with a much smaller force , though one that was not negligible .
At an unknown date , which may have been in the early 640s , East Anglia was attacked by a Mercian army and Ecgric was obliged to defend it with a much smaller force , though one that was not negligible .