Chapter XV: Decline of the Saxon Octarchy

Alfred, the learned king of Northumbria--His patronage of the
celebrated scholar Aldhelm--Ceowulf, the patron of Bede--
Mollo, brother of the king of Wessex, burnt alive in Kent--King
Ina and his celebrated laws--Strange device of Ina's queen to
induce him to resign his crown, and make a pilgrimage to Rome
--Mysterious death of Ostrida, queen of the Mercians--Her
husband, Ethelred, abandons his crown and becomes a monk after
her violent death--Ethelbald ascends the throne of Mercia--
Adventures of his early life--His residence with Guthlac,
the hermit, in the island of Croyland--First founder of the
monastery of Croyland--Ethelbald joins Cuthred, king of Wessex,
and obtains a victory over the Welsh--Proclaims war against
Cuthred--Description of the battle, and defeat of Ethelbald--
Independence of the kingdom of Wessex--Abdication of Sigebyhrt,
king of Wessex--His death in the forest of Andredswold--Rapid
accession and dethronement of the kings of Northumbria--Summary
of their brief reigns p. 129