after committing many acts of cruelty, they founded a Danish kingdom, which lasted till the time of Athelstan. They next overran Mercia, and established themselves in most of the chief towns scattered over the valley of the Trent. These towns were long afterwards known as the Danish burghs. The Fen Country was next invaded, and, as this district was full of religious houses, the heathen Danes evinced their hatred for Christianity by burning them down and putting their inmates to the sword. In East Anglia another Danish kingdom was set up, and the Northmen now came into collision with Wessex.

5. ETHELRED ascended the throne A.D. 866, and, with his brother Alfred, at once prepared for a severe struggle. Numerous battles were fought with the Danes, and in 871 he received a mortal wound in an engagement at Merton in Surrey.

6. ALFRED THE GREAT succeeded to the crown, and bravely continued the contest. He was born A.D. 849 at Wantage in Berkshire, and received part of his education from his father's counsellor, Swithun.

He did not learn to read until 12 years of age, when his stepmother induced him to do so by offering a beautifully illuminated book to the first of her step-sons who should learn to read it. From this time he was much attached to learning, and even when king always kept a book at hand to be studied in leisure moments.

At first his government was arbitrary, and his conduct frequently blameworthy, but his troubles taught him wisdom and piety. From 871 to 877 a continuous struggle was kept up between the Danes and West Saxons the latter, then growing weary of the contest, gradually deserted their sovereign, and submitted to their conquerors. Alfred was now obliged to become a fugitive, and for two years was an outlaw in his own kingdom. During this period he found a place of concealment in the Isle of Athelney.

Athelney was a small island situated between the rivers Tone and Parret on one side, and a morass on the other. Here (it is said) Alfred hired himself to a shepherd. One day whilst trimming his arrows by the fire-side, he was told by his master's wife to watch some cakes that were baking by the fire. He, however, forgot all about them, and allowed them

to burn. For this neglect the old housewife severely scolded him, and told him that he was ready enough to eat the cakes, but too lazy to turn them.

About two centuries ago a beautifully engraved gold ornament was found at Athelney, which had formerly belonged to Alfred, and which still bore the inscription, "Alfred caused me to be made." It is now to be seen at Oxford.

7. A few of his followers discovered his retreat, and with their assistance he fortified a camp on the island, and again commenced warfare with the Danes. The people of Devonshire still remained faithful to him, and succeeded in repulsing the Danes. This encouraged him, and soon after he obtained such a decisive victory over the latter that they were obliged to submit to any terms he chose to impose on them. A treaty was then concluded between Alfred and the Danish leader Guthrun according to its stipulations, Alfred was to rule over Wessex, Sussex, Kent, and Mercia; and Guthrun, with another Danish prince, over the rest of England. It was also stipulated that the Danes should become Christians, and settle down peaceably in the district allotted to them.

Their territory was afterwards known as Danelage. Alfred placed Mercia under the government of an Earl, who had married his daughter, Ethelfrida, the celebrated "Lady of Mercia."

England now remained for some years undisturbed by the Danes; and Alfred occupied himself in repairing the mischiefs which had been wrought during the war, in strengthening his fortresses, in reforming the laws, and in encouraging learning. A militia was organized, and a navy equipped; so that he was well prepared for any future invasion. In 893 England was again devastated by the Danes under a renowned leader named Hastings. They continued their ravages for about five years, but met with so many disastrous losses that they were glad to leave the island and seek plunder elsewhere.

On one occasion the wife and children of Hastings were made prisoners, but Alfred immediately released them, saying that he did not make war with women and children.

8. Alfred died A.D. 901. In his reign England is said to have been first divided into parishes, townships, hundreds, and tithings. Trial by jury was also now established, and the custom of giving bail. To construct a powerful fleet for defending the coast, Alfred procured foreign carpenters and seamen to instruct his subjects in ship-building and naval tactics. He is to be regarded as the founder of the English navy. He also did much towards spreading a love of learning among his subjects, and it is certain that he restored, if he did not found, the university of Oxford. He patronized learned men, and himself translated several Latin works into Saxon.

The state of ignorance at this time was such that Alfred says in one of his letters, "There were few priests, indeed, when I began to reign, who could understand the meaning of their Common Prayer,' or translate a line of Latin into English; so few, that in Wessex there was not one."

Alfred greatly encouraged the arts; and the gold ornaments of English artists at this time were very celebrated. He is said to have invented a mode of measuring time by the burning of candles, and also lanterns to prevent them from burning irregularly.

9. EDWARD, eldest son of Alfred, succeeded to the throne, and reigned from A.D. 901 to A.D. 925.

He is sometimes surnamed "the Elder" to distinguish him from the other Edwards of the Saxon line. [See Genealogical Chart, p. 32.1

Though elected sovereign by the Witenagemote, or National Council, Edward's claim to the crown was disputed by his cousin Ethelwald, son of Alfred's elder brother. A civil war ensued in consequence, which lasted for some years; and Ethelwald, to strengthen his party, procured the assistance of the Danes recently settled in England. He was ultimately slain in a skirmish with Edward's troops, and his adherents were soon after brought to submission. The Danes, who had supported him, were driven from their southern possessions, and confined to the territory north of the Humber.

In these wars Edward was greatly assisted by his wise and vigorous sister "the Lady of Mercia."

Edward had six sons, three of whom succeeded to the royal dignity.

10. ATHELSTAN, the eldest son of Edward, ascended the throne A.D. 925, and reigned sixteen years. He followed up the policy of his father in regard to the Danes, and determined on reducing them to a state of vassalage. To effect this he invaded Northumbria, took the city of York, and made the Danish colonists swear fealty to him. He then advanced into Scotland, and commenced war with its king, Constantine, who immediately entered into a league of defence with Anlaf, the late Danish prince of Northumbria, and the princes of Wales and Cumbria. A battle was fought, in which Athelstan was completely victorious. The allied armies were routed; and the son of Constantine, several Danish princes, and hosts of soldiers of inferior rank were slain.

This battle was fought on the field of Brunanburgh, A.D. 934, the site of which is now unknown.

Athelstan now changed his title of "King of the West Saxons," for that of "King of the English," or King of all England."

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He was a great patron of learning, and warmly encouraged the translation of the Bible into AngloSaxon. Commerce flourished under his protection; and he is said to have framed the law, which entitled every merchant, who had made three considerable voyages, to the rank of thane or nobleman. His government was wise and able; and, as a politic ruler he ranks only second to Alfred. He was, however, vain and often appeared in public with his flaxen tresses interwoven with threads of gold.

Some writers have accused him of cruelty, and have charged him with sending his brother Edwin out to sea in a shattered boat, unprovided with oars or provisions, thereby causing the young prince to leap overboard in despair. This tale is highly improbable.

11. EDMUND THE ELDER succeeded his brother A.D. 941, at the age of eighteen. His youth tempted the Danes to revolt, and Anlaf returned to England to act as their leader. But war was averted by a treaty, which stipulated that the northern portion of England should be ceded to the Danes, and that Anlaf should be their prince. The latter died shortly after this treaty, and Edmund then seized on the ceded territory.

The death of Edmund is variously related. It is commonly believed that, whilst carousing with his nobles, an outlaw broke in upon the banquet, and, in a scuffle which he had with the king, mortally stabbed him with his dagger.

Edmund died A.D. 946, after a reign of six years.

12. EDRED, another brother of Athelstan, succeeded to the throne, the sons of Edmund being considered too young for the office of king. He was crowned at Kingston-on-Thames, which was at that time a place of great importance, and the usual scene of the coronation. The Danes again made several attempts to throw off the Saxon yoke; but Edred, though an invalid at the time, marched against them, and succeeded in bringing them to their allegiance.

Northumbria, the chief seat of the revolt, was now placed under one of Edred's earls; and Wulfstan, Archbishop of York, who had assisted the Danes in their insurrection, was degraded.

Edred died at Frome, after a long illness, A.D. 955. In his conduct he was much influenced by the ambitious abbot of Glastonbury, DUNSTAN.

13. EDWIN, son of Edmund the Elder, succeeded his uncle A.D. 955. He had early manifested a determined spirit of opposition to the ambitious projects of Odo, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Dunstan his coadjutor. This brought down on him their hatred, and eventually led to the most painful results.

On the occasion of his coronation he left the banqueting hall, where his nobles were revelling, and retired to the chamber of his wife Elgiva. This was regarded as an insult by his drunken guests, and Odo despatched Dunstan to bring him back. Dunstan obeyed, burst into the royal apartments, and forced the king to return with him. This indignity only