Chapter XXII: Alfred the Great

Alfred in disguise visits the Danish camp near Westbury in
Wiltshire--His interview with Godrun, the sea-king--Alfred
musters the Saxon forces at Selwood forest--The arrival of his
followers described--His preparation for battle--Description
of the combat--Defeat of the Danes--Alfred besieges the
Danish encampment--Surrender of Godrun--Policy and generosity
of Alfred the Great--Peaceful appearance of England--Landing
of Hastings, the famous sea-king--Alfred increases his navy--
Character of Hastings, the sea-king, the most skilful of all the
Danish invaders--Alfred marches his army between the Danish
forces--His masterly generalship--Hastings offers to quit the
kingdom--His treachery--Is again conquered by Alfred--The
Danes of East Anglia and Northumbria rise up against Alfred--
The wife and children of Hastings are taken prisoners by Alfred,
and discharged with presents--After many struggles the Danes
are at last defeated--Hastings quits England--Death of Alfred
the Great p. 192

CHAPTER XXIII.

CHARACTER OF ALFRED THE GREAT.

His boyhood--Early love of poetry--Self-cultivation--Wisdom
displayed in his conduct with the Danes--Difficulties under
which he pursued his labour--His patronage of literary men
--Method of study--Summary of his works--He reforms the
Saxon nobles--Divides his time--Various purposes to which he
appropriates his revenue--His invention for marking the hours
--Cultivates an acquaintance with foreign countries--His
severity in the administration of justice--Establishment of a
rigid system of police--His laws--Intellectual character of
Alfred the Great p. 199

CHAPTER XXIV.

EDWARD THE ELDER.

Ethelwold lays claim to the throne of Wessex--Is backed by the
Danes, and crowned at York--Battle of Axeholme and defeat of
Ethelwold--Edward ravages Northumbria--The Danes attack
Mercia--They enter the Severn--Battle of Wodensfield, and
defeat of the Danes--Edward strengthens his frontier with
fortresses--Their situation described--Bravery of his sister
Ethelfleda--The Danes enter North Wales--Edward again
victorious--Submission of the Welsh princes and the Danes of
Northumbria--Death of Edward the Elder p. 202