CONTENTS.

PART I.

INTRODUCTORY SKETCH.

CHAPTER I.

Celtic and Teutonic ideals-Arthur and Alfred-Scope of the present work

-English settlement of Britain-Gradual unification-Marks-Kinglets

-Bretwaldas-Church of England-Bede's forecast

CHAPTER II.

Earliest Danish troubles-The Heptarchy-Egbert, first King of the English

-Egbert and Charlemagne-Defiance of Roman claim to Britain

CHAPTER III.

Danish invasions renewed-Sack of London-Battle of Ockley-First Danish

settlements-Rai 1 of 870-St. Edmund-Invasion of Wessex-Alfred

succeeds to the throne

CHAPTER IV.

Early life of Alfred-His claim to the throne-Designation by Pope Leo-

Saracen sack of Rome-Alfred at Rome-Judith, his stepmother-

Devout childhood and youth-Friendship with St. Neot-Marriage-

Alfred's 'thorn in the flesh'

CHAPTER V.

Outset of Alfred's reign—The nine battles of 871—Wessex cleared of Danes

--Their settlements elsewhere--Alfred's early reforms—His wondrous

versatility

CHAPTER VI.

Great Danish inroad of 876—Siege of Wareham-Capture of Exeter-Danish

fleet destroyed at Swanage-Alfred the founder of our navy--Danes at

Chippenham-Wessex wholly overrun-Alfred unpopular-Danish

massacres-Alfred in Athelney-His jewel

CHAPTER VII.

Danish defeat in Devon-The Majic Standard-Rising of Wessex-

Decisive battle of Ethandune-Surrender of Chippenham-Baptism of

Guthrum-l'eace of Wedmore-Its results-Alfred's restoration of

London.

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20

25

33

CHAPTER VIII.

PAGE

Subsequent Danish wars-Great invasion of 893-Military genius of Alfred

-Campaigns of 894, 895, 896-Battle of Farnham-Danes at Chester

-Danish fleet taken-Alfred's ships

CHAPTER IX.

Many-sided greatness of Alfred-His educational reforms-Status of clergy

-Asser-Alfred's handbook

CHAPTER X.

Alfred's publications- The Consolations of Boethius'-Bede's History of

the Anglican Church'-Orosius' History of the World '-Its purpose

-'Flowrets from St. Augustine'-Gregory's 'Pastoral Care' -

CHAPTER XI.

Alfred and Rome-Alms to Jerusalem and India-Home charities—Alfred's

devotional life-His lantern

CHAPTER XII.

Alfred's laws-The Witan-His introduction to the code-Offences against

the person-Against property-Dog's first bite-Sanctuary-Statutory

holidays-Observance of Sunday- Church-scot'

CHAPTER XIII.

Death of Alfred-Encomiums of chroniclers-His burial-The 'Proverbs of

Alfred '-His work completed by his children

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45

51

59

63

PART II.

EXTRACTS FROM THE CHRONICLERS, WITH
PREFATORY NOTICES.

1. Asser: Of the Deeds of Alfred'['De Ælfredi rebus gestis']
II. THE Anglo-Saxon CHRONICLE

III. ETHELWERD'S CHRONIcles [ChroniCA]

IV. Simeon of Durham: 'Deeds of the English Kings' ['HISTORIA
de gestis Regum AngloruM']

V. WILLIAM OF Malmesbury : 'HISTORY OF The Kings' [• HISTORIA
REGUM ']

VI. HENRY OF HUNTINGDON : HISTORY OF the English '['HISTORIÆ
TINGDON

ANGLORUM ']

VII. FLORENCE of Worcester's Chronicle [CHRONICON]
VIII. GeoffrY GAIMAR: "THE STORY Of the English' ['L'EstorIE
DES ENGLES']

167
173

177

IX. ROGER OF WENDOVER : 'FLOWERS OF HISTORY' ['FLORES HIS-
TORIARUM ']-

XI. JOHN OF BROMPTON'S CHROnicle [ChronicON]

XII. ́INGULF': 'HISTORY OF CROWLAND

XIII. THE BOOK OF HYDE

xiv. Chronicle of the Church of St. NEOT [Fani Scti. Neoti
CHRONICON'], OR THE Annals of Asser

N.B.-The whole of the above were originally written in Latin, with the

exception of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which is in Old English, and Gaimar,

who wrote in French.