The history of Britain, that part especially now call'd England from the first traditional beginning, continu'd to the Norman conquest / collected out of the antientest and best authours thereof by John Milton.

Alfred.

ALfred the fourth Son of Ethelwols, had scarse per∣form'd his Brothers obsequies, and the solemni∣ty of his own Crowning, when at the months end in hast with a small power he encounterd the whole Army of Danes at Wilton, and most part of the day foyl'd them; but unwarily following the Chase, gave others of them the advantage to rally; who return∣ing upon him now weary, remain'd Masters of the field. This year, as is affirm'd in the Annals, nine Battels had bin fought against the Danes on the South-side of Thames, besides innumerable excursi∣ons made by Alfred and other Leaders; one King, nine Earls were fall'n in fight, so that weary on both sides at the years end, League or Truce was conclu∣ded. Yet next year the Danes took thir march to [An. Dom. 872] * 1.1 London, now expos'd thir prey, there they winterd, and thether came the Mercians to renue peace with them. The year following they rov'd back to the parts beyond Humber, but winter'd at Torksey in Lin∣colnshire, where the Mercians now the third time made peace with them. Notwithstanding which, [An. Dom. 873] * 1.2 [An. Dom. 874] * 1.3 removing thir Camp to Rependune in Mercia, now Repton upon Trent in Darbishire, and there wintring, they constrein'd Burhed the King to fly into Forein parts, makeing seisure of his Kingdome, he running the direct way to Rome; with better reason then his Ancestors, dy'd there, and was buried in a Church by the English School. His Kingdom the Danes farm'd out to Kelwulf, one of his Houshold Ser∣vants or Officers, with condition to be resign'd them

when they commanded. From Rependune they [An. Dom. 875] * 1.4 dislodg'd, Hafden thir King leading part of his Army Northward, winterd by the River Tine, and sub∣jecting all those quarters, wasted also the Picts and British beyond: but Guthrun, Oskitell, and Anwynd, other three of thir Kings moving from Rependune, came with a great Army to Grantbrig, and remain'd there a whole year. Alfred that Summer purpo∣sing to try his Fortune with a Fleet at Sea (for he had found that the want of Shipping and neglect of Navigation, had expos'd the Land to these Piracies) met with 7 Danish Rovers, took one, the rest esca∣ping; an acceptable success from so small a begin∣ing: for the English at that time were but little ex∣perienc't in Sea affairs. The next years first motion [An. Dom. 876] * 1.5 of the Danes was towards Warham Castle: where Alfred meeting them, either by policy, or their doubt of his power; Ethelwerd saith, by money brought them to such terms of peace, as that they swore to him upon a hallow'd Bracelet, others say * 1.6 upon certain Reliques (a Solemn Oath it seems which they never voutsal'd before to any other Na∣tion) forthwith to depart the land: but falsifying that Oath, by night with all the Horse they had (Asser * 1.7 saith, slaying all the Horseman he had) stole to Exe∣ter, and there winterd. In Northumberland, Hafden thir King began to settle, to divide the land, to till, and to inhabit. Mean while they in the West who were march'd to Exeter, enterd the City, coursing now and then to Warham; but thir Fleet the next [An. Dom. 877] * 1.8 year sailing or rowing about the West, met with such a tempest neer to Swanswich, or Gnavewic, as wrack'd 120 of thir Ships, and left the rest easie to be maisterd by those Gallies which Alfred had set

there to guard the Seas, and streit'n Exeter of pro∣vision. He the while beleagering them in the City; * 1.9 now humbl'd with the loss of thir Navy (two Na∣vies, saith Asser, the one at Gnavewic, the other at Swanwine) distress'd them so, as that they gave him as many hostages as he requir'd, and as many Oaths, to keep thir covnanted peace, and kept it. For the Summer coming on, they departed into Mercia, wherof part they divided amongst themselves, part left to Kelwulf thir substituted King. The twelftide [An. Dom. 878] * 1.10 following, all Oaths forgott'n, they came to Chippen∣ham in Wiltshire, dispeopleing the Countries round, dispossessing some, driving others beyond the Sea; Alfred himself with a small Company was forc'd to keep within Woods and Fenny places, and for some time all alone, as Florent saith, sojourn'd with Dun∣wulf a Swine-heard, made afterwards for his devo∣tion, and aptness to learning, Bishop of Winchester. Hafden and the Brother of Hinguar, coming with 23 * 1.11 Ships from North-wales, where they had made great spoil, landed in Devonshire, nigh to a strong Castle nam'd Kinwith; where by the Garrison issuing forth unexpectedly, they were slain with 12 hunderd of thir men. Mean while the King about Easter, not * 1.12 despairing of his affairs, built a Fortress at a place call'd Athelney in Somersetshire, therin valiantly de∣fending himself and his followers, frequently sally∣ing forth. The 7th. week after, he rode out to a place call'd Ecbryt-stone in the East part of Selwood: thether resorted to him with much gratulation the Somerset and Wiltshire men, with many out of Ham∣shire, some of whom a little before had fled thir Country; with these marching to Ethandune now * 1.13 Edindon in Wiltshire, he gave Battel to the whole

Danish power, and put them to flight. Then beseig∣ing thir Castle, within fourteen days took it. Malms∣bury writes, that in this time of his recess, to go a spy into the Danish Camp, he took upon him with one Servant the habit of a Fidler; by this means gaining access to the Kings Table, and somtimes to his Bed-Chamber, got knowledge of thir secrets, thir careless encamping, and thereby this oppor∣tunity of assailing them on a sudden. The Danes by this misfortune brok'n, gave him more hostages, and renu'd thir Oaths to depart out of his Kingdom. Thir King Gytro, or Gothrun, offer'd willingly to re∣ceave Baptism, and accordingly came with 30 of his friends, to a place call'd Aldra, or Aulre, neer to * 1.14 Athelney, and were baptiz'd at Wedmore; where Al∣fred receav'd him out of the Font, and nam'd him Athelstan. After which, they abode with him 12 daies, and were dismiss'd with rich presents. Where∣upon [An. Dom. 879] * 1.15 the Danes remov'd next year to Cirencester, thence peaceably to the East-Angles; which Alfred, as some write, had bestow'd on Gothrun to hold of him; the bounds wherof may be read among the Laws of Alfred. Others of them went to Fulham on the Thames, and joining there with a great Fleet newly come into the River, thence pass't over into France and Flanders, both which they enterd so far conquering or wasting, as witness'd sufficiently, that the French and Flemish were no more able then the English, by Policy or prowess to keep off that Da∣nish inundation from thir land. Alfred thus rid of them, and intending for the future to prevent thir landing; Three years after (quiet the mean while) [An. Dom. 882] * 1.16 with more Ships and better provided, puts to Sea, and at first met with four of theirs, wherof two he

took, throwing the men over-board, then with two others, wherin were two of thir Princes, and took them also, but not without some loss of his own. After three years another Fleet of them appear'd on [An. Dom. 885] * 1.17 these Seas, so huge that one part thought themselves sufficient to enter upon East-France, the other came to Rochester, and beleaguerd it, they within stoutly defending themselves, till Alfred with great Forces, coming down upon the Danes, drove them to thir Ships, leaving for hast all thir Horses behind them. The same year Alfred sent a Fleet toward the East-Angles, then inhabited by the Danes, which at the * 1.18 mouth of Stour, meeting with 16 Danish Ships, after some flight took them all, and slew the Souldiers aboard; but in thir way home lying careless, were overtak'n by another part of that Fleet, and came off with loss, whereupon perhaps those Danes who were settl'd among the East-Angles, erected with new hopes, violated the peace which they had sworn to Alfred, who spent the next year in repairing London, [An. Dom. 886] * 1.19 (be••••••ging, saith Huntingdon) much ruind and un∣peopl'd by the Danes; the Londoners, all but those who had bin led away Captive, soon return'd to thir dwellings, and Ethred Duke of Mercia, was by * 1.20 [An. Dom. 893] * 1.21 the King appointed thir Governour. But after 13 years respite of peace, another Danish Fleet of 250 Sail, from the East part of France arriv'd at the mouth of a River in East Kent, call'd Limen, nigh to the great Wood Andred, famous for length and bredth; into that Wood they drew up thir Ships four mile from the Rivers mouth, and built a Fortress. After whom Haesten with another Danish Fleet of 80 Ships, entring the mouth of Thames, built a Fort at Middleton, the former Army remaining at a place

call'd Apeltre. Alfred perceaving this, took of those Danes who dwelt in Northumberland, a new Oath of Fidelity, and of those in Essex, hostages, lest they should joyn, as they were wont, with thir Country-men newly arriv'd. And by the next year, having [An. Dom. 894] * 1.22 got together his Forces, between either Army of the Danes encamp'd so, as to be ready for either of them, who first should happ'n to stir forth; Troops of Horse also he sent continually abroad, assisted by such as could be spar'd from strong places, wherever the Countries wanted them, to encounter forageing par∣ties of the Enemy. The King also divided sometimes his whole Army, marching out with one part by turns, the other keeping intrencht. In conclusion rowling up and down, both sides met at Farnham in Surrey; where the Danes by Alfreds Horse Troops were put to flight, and crossing the Thames to a certain Iland neer Coln in Essex, or as Camden thinks, by Colebrooke, were beseig'd there by Alfred till provision fail'd the the beseigers, another part staid behind with thir King wounded. Mean while Alfred preparing to re∣inforce the seige in Colney, the Danes of Northumber∣land breaking Faith, came by Sea to the East-Angles, and with a hunderd Ships Coasting Southward, landed in Devonshire, and beseig'd Exeter; thether Alfred hasted with his powers, except a Squadron of Welch that came to London: with whom the Citi∣zens marching forth to Beamflet, where Haesten the Dane had built a strong Fort, and left a Garrison, while he himself with the main of his Army was en∣terd far into the Country, luckily surprise the Fort, maister the Garrison, make prey of all they find there; thir Ships also they burnt or brought away with good booty, and many Prisners, among whom,

the Wife and two Sons of Heasten were sent to the King, who forthwith set them at liberty. Where∣upon Heasten gave Oath of Amitie and Hostages to the King; he in requital, whether freely, or by agree∣ment, a summe of money. Nevertheless without re∣gard of Faith giv'n, while Alfred was busied about Exeter, joining with the other Danish Army, he built another Castle in Essex at Shoberie, thence marching Westward by the Thames, aided with Northumbrian and East-Anglish Danes, they came at length to Se∣vern, pillaging all in thir way. But, Ethred, Ethelm, and Ethelnoth, the Kings Captains, with united For∣ces pitch'd nigh to them at Buttingtun, on the Severn * 1.23 Bank in Montgomery-shire, the River running be∣tween, and there many weeks attended; the King mean while blocking up the Danes who beseig'd Exe∣ter, having eat'n part of thir Horses, the rest urg'd with hunger broke forth to thir fellows, who lay encamp't on the East-side of the River, and were all there discomfitted, with some loss of valiant men on the Kings party; the rest fled back to Essex and thir Fortress there. Then Laf, one of their Leaders, gatherd before Winter a great Army of Northum∣brian and East-Anglish Danes, who leaving thir mo∣ney, Ships, and Wives with the East-Angles, and marching day and night, sat down before a City in the West call'd Wirheal neer to Chester, and took it ere they could be overtak'n. The English after two daies seige hopeless to dislodge them, wasted the Country round to cut off from them all provision, and departed. Soon after which, next year the [An. Dom. 895] * 1.24 Danes no longer able to hold Wirheal, destitute of Vittles, enterd North-Wales; thence lad'n with spoils, part return'd into Northumberland, others to the East-Angles

as far as Essex, where they seis'd on a small Iland call'd Meresig. And heer again the Annals record them to beseige Exeter, but without cohe∣rence of sence or story. Others relate to this pur∣pose, that returning by Sea from the Seige of Exeter, * 1.25 and in thir way landing on the Coast of Sussex, they of Cichester sallied out and slew of them many hun∣derds, taking also some of thir Ships. The same year they who possess'd Meresig, intending to winter thereabout, drew up thir Ships, some into the Thames, others into the River Lee, and on the Bank therof built a Castle twenty miles from London; to assault which the Londoners aided with other Forces march'd out the Summer following, but were soon put to [An. Dom. 896] * 1.26 flight, loosing fowr of the Kings Captains. Hun∣tingdon writes quite the contrary, that these fowr were Danish Captains, and the overthrow theirs: but little credit is to be plac'd in Huntingdon single. For the King therupon with his Forces, lay en∣camp't neerer the City, that the Danes might not in∣fest them in time of Harvest; In the mean time, sut∣tlely devising to turn Lee stream several waies; wherby the Danish Bottoms were left on dry ground: which they soon perceaving, march'd over Land to Quatbrig on the Severn, built a Fortress and win∣terd there; while thir Ships left in Lee, were either brok'n or brought away by the Londoners; but thir Wives and Children they had left in safety with the East-Angles. The next year was pestilent, and be∣sides [An. Dom. 897] * 1.27 the common sort took away many great Earls, Kelmond in Kent, Brithulf in Essex, Wulfred in Hamp∣shire, with many others; and to this evill, the Danes of Northumberland and East-Angles ceas'd not to endamage the West-Saxons, especially by stealth,

robbing on the South-shoar in certain long Gallies. But the King causing to be built others twice as long as usually were built, and some of 60 or 70 Oars higher, swifter and steddier then such as were in use before either with Danes or Prisons, his own in∣vention, some of these he sent out against six Danish Pirats, who had done much harm in the Ile of Wight and parts adjoining. The bickering was doubtfull and intricate, part on the water, part on the Sands; not without loss of some eminent men on the English side. The Pirats at length were either slain or tak'n, two of them stranded; the men brought to Winchester, where the King then was, were execu∣ted by his command; one of them escap'd to the East-Angles, her men much wounded: the same year not fewer then twenty of thir Ships perish'd on the South Coast with all thir men. And Rollo the Dane or Norman landing heer, as Mat. West. writes, though not in what part of the Iland, after an un∣successful fight against those Forces which first op∣pos'd him, sail'd into France and conquerd the Coun∣try, since that time called Normandy. This is the summe of what pass'd in three years against the Danes, returning out of France, set down so per∣plexly by the Saxon Annalist, ill-guifted with utter∣ance, as with much ado can be understood sometimes what is spok'n, whether meant of the Danes, or of the Saxons. After which troublesome time, Alfred enjoying three years of peace, by him spent, as his manner was, not idlely or voluptuously, but in all vertuous emploiments both of mind and body, be∣coming a Prince of his Renown, ended his daies in the year 900. the 51. of his Age, the 30th of his Reign, and was buried regally at Winchester; he [An. Dom. 900] * 1.28

was born at a place call'd Wanading in Barkshire, his Mother Osburga the Daughter of Oslac the Kings Cup-bearer, a Goth by Nation, and of noble descent. He was of person comlier then all his Brethren, of pleasing Tongue and gracefull behaviour, ready wit and memory; yet through the fondness of his Pa∣rents towards him, had not bin taught to read till the twelfth year of his Age; but the great desire of learning which was in him, soon appear'd, by his conning of Saxon Poems day and night, which with great attention he heard by others repeated. He was besides, excellent at Hunting, and the new Art then of Hawking, but more exemplary in devotion, ha∣ving collected into a Book certain Prayers and Psalms, which he carried ever with him in his Bo∣some to use on all occasions. He thirsted after all liberal knowledge, and oft complain'd that in his youth he had no Teachers, in his middle Age so lit∣tle vacancy from Wars and the cares of his King∣dome, yet leasure he found sometimes, not only to learn much himself, but to communicate therof what he could to his people, by translating Books out of Latin into English, Orosius, Boethius, Beda's History and others, permitted none unlern'd to bear Office, either in Court or Common-wealth; at twenty years of age not yet reigning, he took to Wife Egelswitha the Daughter of Ethelred a Mercian Earl. The ex∣tremities which befell him in the sixt of his Reign, Neothan Abbot told him, were justly come upon him for neglecting in his younger days the com∣plaints of such as injur'd and oppress'd repair'd to him, as then second person in the Kingdome for re∣dress; which neglect were it such indeed, were yet excusable in a youth, through jollity of mind un∣willing

perhaps to be detain'd long with sad and sor∣rowfull Narrations; but from the time of his under∣taking regal charge, no man more patient in hear∣ing causes, more inquisitive in examining, more exact in doing justice, and providing good Laws, which are yet extant; more severe in punishing un∣just judges or obstinate offenders. Theeves especi∣ally and Robbers, to the terrour of whom in cross waies were hung upon a high Post certain Chains of Gold, as it were dareing any one to take them thence; so that justice seem'd in his daies not to flourish only, but to tryumph: no man then hee more frugal of two pretious things in mans life, his time and his revenue; no man wiser in the disposal of both. His time, the day, and night, he distributed by the burning of certain Tapours into three equall portions: the one was for devotion, the other for publick or private affairs, the third for bodily re∣freshment: how each hour past, he was put in minde by one who had that Office. His whole an∣nual revenue, which his first care was should be justly his own, he divided into two equall parts; the first he imploi'd to secular uses, and subdivided those into three, the first to pay his Souldiers, Houshold-Ser∣vants and Guard, of which divided into three Bands, one attended monthly by turn; the second was to pay his Architects and workmen, whom he had got toge∣ther of several Nations; for he was also an Elegant Builder; above the Custome and conceit of English∣men in those days: the third he had in readiness to releive or honour Strangers according to thir worth, who came from all parts to see him and to live under him. The other equal part of his yearly wealth he dedicated to religious uses, those of fowr sorts; the

first to releive the poor, the second to the building and maintenance of two Monasteries, the third of a School, where he had perswaded the Sons of many Noblemen to study sacred knowledge and liberal Arts, some say at Oxford; the fourth was for the * 1.29 releif of Foreign Churches, as far as India to the shrine of St. Thomas, sending thether Sigelm Bishop of Sherburn, who both return'd safe, and brought with him many rich Gems and Spices; guifts also and a letter he receav'd from the Patriarch of Je∣rusalem, sent many to Rome, and for them receav'd reliques. Thus far, and much more might be said of his noble minde, which renderd him the miror of Princes; his body was diseas'd in his youth with a great soreness in the Seige, and that ceasing of it self, with another inward pain of unknown cause, which held him by frequent fits to his dying day; yet not disinabl'd to sustain those many glorious labours of his life both in peace and war.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sax. an.
• * 1.2

  Sax. an. Camden.
• * 1.3

  Sax. an.
• * 1.4

  Sax. an.
• * 1.5

  Sax. an.
• * 1.6

  Florent.
• * 1.7

  Florent.
• * 1.8

  Sax. an.
• * 1.9

  Asser.
• * 1.10

  Sax. ann.
• * 1.11

  Sim. Dun.
• * 1.12

  Asser.
• * 1.13

  Camd.
• * 1.14

  Camd.
• * 1.15

  Sax. an.
• * 1.16

  Sax. an.
• * 1.17

  Sax. an.
• * 1.18

  Sim. Dun.
• * 1.19

  Sax. an.
• * 1.20

  Sim. Dun.
• * 1.21

  Sax. an.
• * 1.22

  Sax. an.
• * 1.23

  Camden.
• * 1.24

  Sax. an.
• * 1.25

  Sim. Dun. Florent.
• * 1.26

  Sax. an.
• * 1.27

  Sax. an.
• * 1.28

  Asser.
• * 1.29

  Malms.