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THis Denewulsus (as the fame goeth) was sometimes [ 879] a hogheard, and dwelt in the place where the Abbey of Athelney in Sommersetshire was afterward builded. It happened at that time king Alfred that famous king of the West Saxons to be so néere followed of the Danes that
sought nothing more than his life, as being abandoned of all his followers. He knew no better or more likely course for his safety then, (dissembling his estate) to deliuer himselfe for a time into the seruice of this hogheard, dwelling in a place (at that time) almost inaccessible & so of very little or no resort. So long he continued there, as his Master and Dame were almost weary of his seruice, wherein he was not so ready as a man should that had had education accordingly. Of her it is particularly deliuered, that when the King let certaine Cakes burne that she had set him to toast, she reprehended him sharply as an vnprofitable seruant in these words.
At last it sell out, that the kings friends gathering them∣selues together, he ioyned himselfe vnto them, and his sub∣iectes (that now a great while thought him dead) resorted vnto him in so great numbers, as setting vpon the Danes, he ouerthrew them, and in a short time not onely brought them vnder his obedience, but also reduced in a manner the whole Realme of England into one Monarchy. Hauing thus reco∣uered the peaceable possession of his crowne, he was not vn∣mindfull of his olde Master, in whom perceiuing an excellent sharpnesse of wit, he caused him (though it were now late be∣ing a man growen) to study, and hauing obtained some com∣petency of learning, he preferred him to the Bishopricke of Winchester. Moreouer that he might shew himself thankfull vnto God aswell as man, in the place where this hogheard dwelt, he builte a stately Monastery, the wals whereof are yet partly standing.