form permanent settlements there, thinking that in this way he should erect a rampart against other incursions. The proposal was accepted, and Guthrum, with several of his officers, was admitted to baptism,-Alfred having insisted that they should declare themselves Christians, as a pledge of their submission (878). He afterward ceded the eastern part of Mercia to them, and these districts continued to form a Danish state (called Danelagh) for many years afterward, its chief boundary being the old Roman road called Watling-street, which ran from London across England to the Irish Channel. [Note 1, end of Section.]

13. A period of tranquillity ensued, which Alfred improved by rebuilding the ruined cities, particularly London; restoring order to the government, and putting the kingdom in a position of defence against future assaults. For this purpose he established a regular militia in every part of the country, so that it might be ready at any time to repel an invasion without leaving other parts defenceless. He also constructed a fleet, and stationed vessels at proper points of the coast, so as to be able to meet the piratical Danes and Norwegians on their own element. In this way he preserved his kingdom in a state of peace and quietude for several years.

14. At length, however, the Danes, under a famous leader, named Hastings, came with a powerful fleet from France, and landed on the coast of Kent (893). A long war ensued, in which Alfred displayed his characteristic skill and vigor. The pirates were at last entirely subdued, and compelled to quit the country, or were dispersed among their countrymen in Northumbria and East Anglia. The king survived this victory but a few years, dying after a glorious reign of nearly thirty years (901), in which his achievements, and the virtues and talents which he dis

13. What measures did Alfred adopt afterward?

14. What is said of the invasion under Hastings? When did Alfred's death Dccur?

played in every circumstance of his life, justly won for him the title of "Alfred the Great."

15. It was not only by his military achievements and statesmanship that Alfred was a benefactor to his people He endeavored to rescue them from the gross ignorance and barbarism in which he found them at his accession. He translated many interesting and useful works from Latin into Anglo-Saxon, established schools for the instruction of the people, founded, or at least repaired, the University of Oxford, and invited into the kingdom scholars from various parts of Europe. He introduced and encouraged manufactures, offered rewards for useful inventions, and actively promoted navigation and commerce. His great reputation as a monarch has, however, caused him to be considered the founder of many institutions which had existed among the Anglo-Saxons before his time, and which he only restored or enforced. His peculiar merit, indeed, was not so much that of a lawgiver, as of a wise and energetic administrator of government, and an earnest patron of whatever promised to promote the good of his people. [See Note 2, end of the Section.]

16. Edward the Elder. Alfred was succeeded by his second son Edward,* who inherited the energy and military talents of his father, but without his genius for science and literature. His claim to the throne was disputed by his nephew Ethelwold, who, in order to gain the object of his ambition, formed an alliance with the Danes in Northumbria and East Anglia, whom he stirred up to revolt. Edward, however, soon subdued the rebellion, and in one of the battles Ethelwold was slain. The remainder of this reigr is occupied with contests carried on with the Danish

Edmund, his eldest son, died during his father's life; his third son, Ethelward, inheritea his passion for letters, and lived a retired life. Edward was called the "Elder" because he was the first English king of that name.

15. In what way did Alfred promote the good of his people? In what did his merit consist?

16. Who succeeded him? What rebellion occurred? How was it ended? What is said of the remainder of this reign?

settlers and their countrymen, who invaded England from Normandy and Brittany.

17. Edward was generally victorious in his various engagements with the enemy, and finally reduced them to submission. He thus acquired the dominion of Northumbria and East Anglia, and subsequently also of Mercia. The Welsh in Strathclyde also became tributary to him; and even the Scots, who had some years previously subdued the Picts, were obliged to yield him submission. In these military achievements and conquests he was greatly assisted by his heroic sister Ethelfle'da, widow of the Earl of Mercia. Edward was thus the first king of the West-Saxons whose sway extended over all Britain, he being now the only English king, and the other kings and princes in the island being his vassals. His death soon followed these great accessions of power (925).

18. Athelstan, son of Edward the Elder, was the successor of that king. Like his father and grandfather, he possessed great energy of character, and was not only an able general, but a wise and liberal-minded monarch. He subdued a revolt in Northumbria, and in a great battle defeated the Welsh, Scots, and Danes, who had entered into a league to destroy his power (937). This victory gave tranquillity to the country during the remainder of his reign, which lasted till 941. In order to encourage commerce and navigation, Athelstan enacted the singular law that any merchant who had made three long sea voyages on his own account should be admitted to the rank of thane, or gentleman.

19. Edmund, the brother of Athelstan, was only eighteen years old when he was made king; but he showed considerable vigor and talent in his expeditions against the

17. What conquests did Edward make? By whom was he aided? How is he distinguished? When did he die?

18. Who was his successor? How characterized? What did Athelstan accom piish? What singular law did he enact ? 19. What is said of Edmund?

How and when did his reign end?

revolted Northumbrians and North Welsh. His reign was brought to a close in a very singular manner. Noticing, on the occasion of a festival, the presence of Leolf, a notorious robber, whom he had previously banished, he ordered him to leave the hall; and enraged at his refusal to obey, he leaped on him and seized him by the hair. The ruffian thereupon drew his dagger, and inflicted upon Edmund a wound of which he immediately expired (946).

20. Edred, the brother of Edmund, succeeded him on the throne. The Danes in Northumbria again rebelled, and were again subdued; and the king, in order to prevent future revolts, appointed over this district an English governor, and placed garrisons in the principal towns. Edred was greatly influenced, in both religious and temporal affairs, by the famous Dunstan (commonly called St. Dunstan), abbot of Glastonbury, whom he raised to the highest offices, and who possessed among the people a very great reputation for sanctity and learning. Edred's death happened in 955, when he was succeeded by his nephew Edwy, eldest son of Edmund.

21. Edwy. The reign of this king was short and troubled. He opposed Dunstan in the measures by which he wished to reform the vices of the secular clergy (those who were not monks), and incurred the displeasure of the Church by marrying his cousin Elgiva (elje-vah), of whom he was so fond that he left the banquet given in honor of his coronation, to enjoy her society and that of her mother. This was deemed an insult by Dunstan and his associates, and they compelled his return to the banquet-hall. Edwy, in resentment for this act, brought a charge of embezzlement against Dunstan, and obliged him to flee the kingdom. He was, however, recalled by the revolted Merciaus, who had declared in favor of the king's brother Edgar; and

20. Who succeeded Edmund? What rebellion occurred? What followed By whom was Edred influenced? His death and his successor?

21. What account is given of Edwy and Elgiva? Who succeeded Edwy?

it is said that Elgiva, having been compelled to leave her husband, was hastening again to him, when she was seized by the Mercians and most cruelly put to death. Edwy died a short time afterward, and was succeeded by Edgar (959).

22. Edgar, who was only sixteen years old when he commenced to reign, showed very great deference to Dunstan, favored all his measures to reform the Church, and in a short time promoted him to be Archbishop of Canterbury. His reign was entirely peaceful, being undisturbed by either foreign or domestic enemies. Edgar, however, kept up a constant preparation for hostilities, and every year sailed around the island with an immense fleet, so as to intimidate the Welsh, Scots, and Danes. His coronation took place at Bath, thirteen years after his accession; and afterward proceeding to Chester, he caused his barge to be rowed down the Dee by eight tributary kings.

23. Although a most efficient monarch, Edgar's character in private life is said, by some of the early historians, to have been exceedingly licentious; but there is no doubt that the accounts given of his cruelty and criminal excesses are the exaggerations or inventions of his enemies. Such is probably the story told of his marriage with Elfrida, after assassinating her husband; and of his breaking into a convent, and carrying off a nun by violence. Edgar favored the monastic party in opposition to that of the secular clergy; and therefore he has been unduly praised or too severely censured, according to the sympathies of different historians. He almost extirpated the wolves which infested some parts of the kingdom, by requiring the Welsh princes to pay, instead of money, an annual tribute of three hundred heads of these animals. The reputation of this king attracted many foreigners to his court, and he was on excellent terms with contemporary princes, par

22. What is said of Edgar? His means of overawing the Welsh, &c.? His coronation?

23. What is said of the accounts given of Edgar? How did he extirpate the wolves? His reputation? His death and successor ?