This extraordinary man, who has with justice been called the greatest of all the line of English kings, was the son of Ethelwulf and Osburga, and was born at Wantage in Berkshire. He learnt to read at six years old, and steadily set himself to gain and spread the love of learning, when he began his reign at seventeen. The Danes overran his kingdom, and he was forced to take refuge in the Isle of Athelney, between the rivers Parret and Tone; it was then that he was set to watch the cakes baking in the ashes, in a hut in which he had asked shelter. After he had subdued the Danes, Alfred enlarged his fleet, and sent envoys to other countries to obtain a knowledge of their state and productions. His name was well known at Rome, Constantinople, Bagdad, and even in India. Alfred first sketched out the English Constitution in his Code of Laws. He built and endowed schools, had books written and chained in the churches, and invented a wax-candle clock, which measured the time by burning an inch of wax in twenty minutes. After a reign of thirty-four years, spent in unceasing toil for the good of his people, Alfred died in 901. ASSER. Died 909. A native of Wales, a learned monk, and Bishop of Sherbourne, who was tutor to King Alfred. He afterwards wrote his life. Died A.D. 909. ST. DUNSTAN, ABBOT. Born 945.—Died 978. A Saxon nobleman, who became a Benedictine monk, Abbot of Glastonbury Abbey, and Archbishop of Canterbury, was the most learned man of his time. He learnt every art then known, and first used stained glass and organs in England. He lived for some time in a cave, and is said to have had personal battles with Satan, who appeared under different shapes to tempt him. CANUTE THE GREAT. Reigned 1017–1035. A Danish king who came to the throne in 1017, he ruled over England, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and was therefore called “The Great.” He rebuked his courtiers, who flattered him, by commanding the waves to retire, and when they wetted his feet reminded them that there was only One who could say to the ocean, “Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther.” He died A.D. 1035. PETER THE HERMIT. Died 1115. A poor French priest who, on his return from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, went about from country to country persuading princes and people to join in the crusades against the Saracens with great enthusiasm. SIR WALTER TYRRELL. William II. All that we read of this character is the story of his accidentally shooting King William II. while they were hunting together in the New Forest. It is supposed by many historians that the arrow was aimed intentionally at the king. By most modern authors the story is entirely discredited. THOMAS À BECKET. Born 1117.—Died 1170.—Henry I.—Stephen.—Henry II.