held their crowns by his permission, ere he was attacked by a formidable enemy, from a new and unexpected quarter. Numerous detachments of warriors, under the name of Danes and Normans, proceeded about this time from the countries bordering on the Baltic, and ravaged the coasts of France and England. These expeditions were at first merely piratical. Nothing more was attempted than to land from their ships, whenever it was found practicable, and carry off whatever spoil they could collect, before an army could be assembled to oppose them. As the Anglo-Saxons had not attempted to raise a fleet for the defence of their coasts, the Danes continued to commit these ravages with impunity. Emboldened by success, and enriched with plunder, these adventurers at length proceeded so far as to construct forts on the sea coast for the protection of their booty.

Such was the state of things, when Egbert commenced a vigorous war with these public robbers, which was carried on with various success during several years; but at length was terminated by a decisive battle fought at Hengsdown-hill in Cornwall, A. D. 835. From this period to the death of Egbert, which happened in the following year, the Danes did not venture to renew their customary incursions.

Egbert was succeeded by his son ETHELWULPH, who had been designed for the church, and, as some affirm, had even taken orders; but was released from his clerical vows by a dispensation from the pope, when, in consequence of his elder brother's death, he became heir to the crown. Accustomed from his youth to the seclusion of a cloister, and formed alone to the society of priests and monks, this prince was little qualified to govern a kingdom, under any circumstances, but especially at so turbulent a period. The Danish adventurers soon discovered, that Ethelwulph was a far less vigorous opponent than his father had been, and therefore began to renew their predatory visits with greater boldness. Ethelwulph, who preferred peace, not for its own sake, but solely for the love of ease, made every possible effort to conciliate the invaders. Sometimes he entered into treaties with them, and at others, made them large presents: but these treaties were

broken as soon as made; and the presents served but to stimulate the insatiable avarice of the Danes. Perceiving at length that measures of conciliation were fruitless, Ethelwulph reluctantly roused himself to action, and appealed to arms for the protection of his country. In the prosecution of this design, he was aided by the talents and bravery of his son Ethelbald, a prince valiant but worthless; of distinguished capacity, but unhappily the slave of the vilest passions. Notwithstanding the vigorous efforts made to expel them, the Danes succeeded at length in obtaining a permanent settlement in the Isle of Thanet and in Northumberland.

In the midst of this war, Ethelwulph formed the resolution of quitting his kingdom, that he might visit Rome, for the threefold purpose of obtaining the benediction of the Roman pontiff, collecting sacred relics, and placing his younger son Alfred, under the protection of the papal see. Nearly twelve months were spent in this pilgrimage, and those revenues expended which were but too necessary for the defence of his desolated country. On his return through France, he became enamoured with Judith, daughter of Charles the Bold, a princess of not more than twelve years of age, whom he brought with him to England as his queen. In the mean time, Ethelbald, imagining that his father's devotions would terminate, as had frequently happened before, in his entering a monastery, seized the reins of government during his absence, and, after his return, refused to resign them. A civil war, in which the father and son were to contend with each other for the sovereignty, seemed about to commence, when some of the nobles interfered, and prevented it by proposing terms of accommodation, to which both parties consented. Upon the whole, Ethelwulph appears to have been a weak but amiable prince, wholly given to superstition, and the servile instrument of an avaricious and corrupt clergy. The high character which has been given him by the historians of that age, is sufficiently accounted for, by the fact, that he appropriated to the use of the church the tenth part of his dominions, and thus laid a basis for the priestly domination which quickly followed.

Ethelwulph bequeathed his crown by will to his four sons, Ethelbald, Ethelbert, Ethered, and Alfred; the two former of whom were to reign jointly, and the younger in succession. Of ETHELBALD, little is known that is worth recording. After the death of his father, he abandoned himself to every species of vice, and thus rendered himself an object of disgust and abhorrence to all future generations. ETHELBERT reigned but six years, the whole of which period was fully occupied with checking the incursions of the Danes. ETHERED ascended the throne in pursuance of his father's will, A. D. 866. His reign, like that of his predecessors, was short and tempestuous. The Danes were now accustomed to attack distant parts of the coast simultaneously, and thus rendered it necessary, either that an immense military establishment should be kept up, or that the English army should be weakened by division. Their attacks were so frequent, that, during the last year of Ethered's reign, not fewer than five pitched battles were fought with these indefatigable enemies. This prince received his mortal wound in one of these engagements, which took place A. D. 871.

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ALFRED, to whose honoured name has been added, by common consent, the epithet of "the Great," began to reign in the twenty-second year of his age. The state of England at his accession was most calamitous. Many of its cities, towns and villages, were in ruins. Several provinces were almost filled with Danes, and their former inhabitants either driven out or enslaved. The late frequent and sanguinary battles had almost annihilated the English army. The carnage on both sides had been so great, that the Danes themselves were disposed to enter into a treaty with Alfred, of whose military talents they were not ignorant. But no sooner had they received reinforcements from the continent, than the treaty was violated; both Mercia and Wessex were simultaneously invaded by numerous armies; and Alfred, after a brave but ineffectual struggle, was compelled to bow before the storm. Perceiving that his cause was for the present hopeless he dismissed his few faithful followers, and, assuming the garb of a rustic, concealed himself in an

obscure cottage in the isle of Ethelingay. Here he remained more than six months, alike undiscovered by his friends and foes, and not unfrequently employed in the most menial occupations.

But, from this obscure retreat, after a short period, he emerged with renewed splendour. No sooner did a favourable opportunity present itself, than he privately summoned around him his scattered chiefs, who obeyed with the utmost promptitude the inspiring call of their patriotic prince. This movement was made with the utmost secrecy, and, before any decided measures were taken, Alfred resolved to make himself acquainted with the strength and position of the enemy. For this purpose he entered the Danish camp in the disguise of a minstrel, was introduced to Guthrum, the commander-in-chief, and continued several days to amuse the officers of the Danish army with his harp. Having obtained by this artifice the desired intelligence, he contrived to effect his escape, and arranged with his friends the plan of an assault on a stipulated day. The enemy, having no conception that an English army was on foot, and still less that Alfred was at its head, were completely taken by surprise. An easy and decisive victory was obtained by Alfred, who treated his captives with great lenity, contrary to the usual practice of that age. Not only did he spare their lives, but promised them his protection, on the sole condition of their renouncing idolatry and submitting to the christian rite of baptism.

Within a few years from this memorable battle, a striking reverse was exhibited throughout the kingdom. The interval of repose which followed was improved with the utmost diligence. The cities and edifices quickly arose from their ashes in increased magnificence and beauty. Provinces lately impoverished and almost depopulated, assumed the appearance of cultivation and pros. perity public works of great labour and utility were undertaken, and executed at the sole expense of the monarch. The arts, commerce, and literature revived, as by a magical touch, beneath the auspices of a sovereign, who seemed to live alone for the good of his subjects. If, in the commencement of his reign, while struggling with

unyielding fortitude for the defence of his kingdom, or while sustaining with an unbending mind, the pressure of adversity, he appeared truly great; much more did he appear such now, that he became the restorer, the guardian, and the munificent benefactor of his beloved country.

The first object which engaged the attention of this patriotic prince, after the restoration of tranquillity, was to devise a constitution which should secure to all classes of his subjects, civil liberty and impartial justice. He then proceeded to purify the courts of judicature from the corruptions which had long vitiated them, to remove from offices of trust all who had proved themselves unworthy of confidence, and to establish a system of jurisprudence which forms the basis of that which is still administered. Among the institutions of Alfred, that of trial by jury holds a distinguished place; an institution which, after having stood the test of many ages, still remains as the palladium of British liberty. The measures adopted by Alfred for the revival of literature, will be noticed hereafter, when the state of learning among the AngloSaxons will pass under review.

There have been illustrious public characters, whose private life would not bear investigation; but it was far otherwise with Alfred. His deportment as a man, was no less exemplary than his conduct as a prince; his private character was as excellent, as his public administration was dignified and patriotic. One of his biographers, who was in the habits of familiar intercourse with him, has transmitted to posterity an enchanting picture of this good and great man. Among other memorable facts which he has recorded of his illustrious patron, he particularly mentions the rigid economy of time to which Alfred accustomed himself, and his inflexible adherence to a vow made in the day of adversity, that he would devote the third part of his time to God. In consequence of this sacred resolution, he continued through life to spend daily, eight hours in devotional exercises, eight were occupied with state affairs, and the remaining eight were given to sleep, study, and needful refreshments. The death of such a character, whenever it took place, must be an irreparable