H

At the age of twenty-two Alfred became king. In the first seven years of his reign he does not appear so great a man as he afterwards became. In a month after he succeeded to the throne, the Danes attacked and defeated Alfred's troops, and he did not attempt to punish them; and twice afterwards he gave them money to quit the country, which they promised to do.

The Danes afterwards called over great numbers of their countrymen. They destroyed so much property, killed so many people, and so terrified others, that some of the English fled to France, and concealed themselves in secret places. The king, who had lost the confidence of his subjects, because he had not endeavoured to prevent these misfortunes, was then forced to wander about alone in disguise; so that at one time neither his friends or enemies could find him.

Wise and good as Alfred really was, his habits of study had not instructed him in the character of the Danes, nor in the duty he owed his subjects, who, before the Danes had committed their most violent acts, entreated him to protect them; but he did not believe the danger to be so great as it really was.

Alfred was twenty-eight years of age at the time when he was obliged to conceal himself, and to give up his kingdom to the Danes. An excellent trait in his character now appears a resolution to reform his faults, to endeavour to conquer the enemies of his country, and to do all in his power for the benefit of his subjects.

Alfred escaped from court in the disguise of a soldier, and he was at first attended by a number of faithful followers, but the company was too small to defend themselves, and large enough to excite the suspicions of the enemy. Alfred thought it prudent to seek his own safety alone; and he wandered about in the woods and lonely places till he reached a solitary spot in Somersetshire, where he found a

secure retreat.

When did Alfred begin to reign, and how did he govern?
Did the Danes persevere in invading England?

Did Alfred repel the Danes vigorously?

Did Alfred reform his own errors?

Where did Alfred conceal himself from his enemies?

H

In this journey Alfred once entered the cottage of a swine-herd, who, perceiving that he wished to hide himself, inquired who he was. Alfred dared not tell the man who he really was, lest he should inform the Danes: therefore he was obliged to deceive him by saying, that he was an attendent of king Alfred, who had fled from battle, and who wanted to be concealed. Alfred was doubtless unwilling to do this, for among his virtues a constant regard for truth distinguished him-so much was he celebrated for this excellent habit, that an historian who lived two centuries after him, called him "Alfred the truth teller."

The good peasant feeling compassion for him, and little suspecting who it was he was protecting, gave him shelter, and made him welcome to his own comforts, and Alfred in his turn endeavoured to make himself useful to his benefactor. One day, when the swine-herd was abroad with his charge, his wife put her cakes on the hearth to bake, and desired Alfred, who sat by the fire, trimming his bow and arrows, to take care of the cakes while she attended to her other business.

But Alfred was just then thinking too much of his own affairs to watch the bread, and when his hostess returned, she found it so burnt that it could not be eaten. She was very angry with the soldier, and scolded him heartily, telling him, that though he was very willing to eat her bread, he would not even turn it from the fire to prevent its being spoiled. This was very provoking to Alfred, but he had the good sense to make no reply, and immediately offered to do better, if the angry woman would give him some more cakes, which she accordingly did, and he baked them to please her.

Soon after his residence at the swine-herd's, Alfred discovered another asylum from his enemies. It was a few acres of firm ground near the confluence of two small rivers, the Thone and the Parret. This little island contained a wood, and abounded in stags and goats, and there was no approach to it but in small vessels. In the month of March,

Who received Alfred in his disguise?

How did Alfred employ himself in the swine-herd's cottage?
What exercised the king's patience?

Where was Alfred's next asylum?

1

Alfred heard of the death of Hubba, one of the most powerful and dreaded of the Danish chiefs. At the same time he found means to collect about him some of his faithful subjects, to whom he proposed to accompany him to the island, which he intended to fortify, and afterwards to reside in with his family. This place is now called Athelney.

By the aid of his followers Alfred completed this plan, and was soon joined by many of his dispersed friends. When the number of this little band was sufficient, they began to make excursions against the Danes, and although they were not always successful, they were enough so to alarm the enemy. Alfred and his followers were furnished with provisions during their stay at the island, by the spoils taken from the Danes, and by hunting and fishing; but the stock thus obtained was not always abundant.

After Alfred had meditated for some time an attempt to attack the Danes, he ventured, in the disguise of a harper, to approach the tent of Guthrum, a Danish chief; he contrived to enter and to divert the Danes for several days with music and poetry. There he had an opportunity of learning that the Danes were not acquainted with the power of the English, and that they were unprepared for battle with them.

The carelessness of his enemies enabled Alfred to give. information of his place of concealment, and of his plans, to many of his brave and afflicted subjects, who had for a long time been ignorant of their master's safety. They heard the news with gladness, readily flocked to Alfred, and joined him in his march against the Danes.

This enterprise was conducted with so much discretion and expedition, that Alfred surprised the Danes, who in their surprise and terror, made some opposition, but afterwards fled before the king. Alfred, however, pursued, and surrounded his enemies; they were thus deprived of provisions, and after fourteen days of fatigue and hunger, they implored the mercy of the conqueror.

Some lives were lost in Alfred's attack upon the Danes,

Did Alfred's friends come to his aid?

Did Alfred visit the Danish camp?

Did Alfred take advantage of the carelessness of the Danes?
Did the Danes finally submit to Alfred?

How did Alfred treat the Danes?

but when the army acknowledged themselves conquered, Alfred formed a benevolent design to make them good and happy. He offered to become their protector and friend if they would become Christians, and would promise to assist him against any other Danes who should attack his subjects, and he promised them a portion of land to cultivate and live upon,

Guthrum accepted Alfred's proposal, and he and his followers were baptized. Guthrum remained with Alfred twelve days as a guest, and then, after receiving presents from the king, departed for the place allotted to him. Here he and his soldiers became peaceable and useful citizens; exchanging their swords for plough-shares, and leaving the business of destruction, they learned to promote their own and others' prosperity and happiness.

Alfred did not claim all England as his kingdom. Some parts of the country were governed by other princes, and the generous Alfred conferred a portion of the island which fell into his hands by the conquest of the Danes, on a prince named Ethelred, who married his daughter Ethelfleda. Athelstan, the grandson of Alfred, was the first Saxon monarch of all England.

After Alfred had obtained peace, he employed himself in all the useful works in his power. He rebuilt towns and castles which had been destroyed, erected forts. and stationed a number of armed ships along the coast of England, to prevent the landing of enemies from the neighbouring continent of Europe. These ships were the beginning of the British navy.

Alfred had great need of armed ships, for the Danes, after the defeat of Guthrum, still persevered in their at tempts upon England. Hastings, a daring and experienced Danish chief, presumed that his countrymen in England would take part with him, if he should attack that country, after the death of Guthrum, who always continued faithful to his engagement with Alfred.

Hastings sent 250 ships to one place, and 80 to another,

Did the Danes become quiet subjects of Alfred?
Did Alfred govern all England?

Did Alfred improve his kingdom?

Who was Hastings?

What became of Hastings?

twenty miles distant from the former, and he landed troops in both without difficulty; and thus commenced a new war which tried the skill and patience of Alfred for three years. Hastings, at length, worn out by unfortunate attempts, retreated with all his army from England, and left the nation in peace.

Alfred reigned prosperously fifteen years, from the first defeat to the last invasion of the Danes, and after their last expulsion he lived four years. On the 28th of October this excellent prince died, in the fifty-third year of his age, and the thirtieth of his reign.

Alfred was so much pleased with his own acquirements, that he wished all his people who cold, to possess the same knowledge. On this account he was anxious that the books written in Latin, which contained what it is desirable that all men should know, should be translated into English, that all the youth in England who are free, and those that have wealth, may be committed to learning, that they may apply to no other duty till they first learn to read English writing. Let them further learn the Latin language who will advance to a higher state."

66

To promote this benevolent design he established schools in all parts of his kingdom, to which all freemen, possessing two acres of land, were enjoined by law to send their children. He gave places in the church, or under the government, to those only who had made some progress in learning. Engaged as he was in frequent wars, and in affairs of government, he gained more knowledge, and composed more books, than most men who have devoted their lives to study.

Alfred was happy in being surrounded by intelligent and amiable children. Two sons and three daughters survived him. His son Edward succeeded him as king, and his daughter Ethelfleda was accounted the wisest woman in England. Alfred's last instructions to his son and successor deserve to be remembered, and with them will be concluded this brief history of one of the best and wisest men that ever lived.

When did Alfred die?

Did Alfred honour learning?

How did Alfred promote learning?

Was Alfred happy in his domestic relations?