Position of the ealdorman 229 Compurgation or oath-helping 229 693. The kings and their _witan_ 231 Note on Anglo-Saxon money-- Pounds, shillings and pence 233 History of prices: purchasing power of money 234 Special monetary terms: _Mancus_, _Thrymsa_, etc. 235 CHAPTER XIV. THE EIGHTH CENTURY. Review of the life of Bede 237 735. Death of Bede 239 709. Death of Aldhelm, Bishop of Sherborne: his literary works 241 The poet Cynewulf: verses on the Ruthwell Cross 242 Religious decline: Bede’s letter to Archbishop Egbert 243 Sham monasteries 244 Rapid succession of Northumbrian kings: Ceolwulf and Eadbert 245 _Circa_ 756. Northumbrian capital transferred to Corbridge 247 716–757. Ethelbald, King of Mercia 249 His wars with Wessex 249 757–796. Offa, King of Mercia 250 Offa’s Dyke 251 Correspondence between Offa and Charlemagne 252 786. Cynewulf, King of Wessex--romantic story of his death 255 784–802. Beorhtric, King of Wessex: his evil-minded wife, Eadburh 255 CHAPTER XV. EARLY DANISH INVASIONS--EGBERT AND ETHELWULF. 790. First affray with the Danes 257 Scandinavian ravages in the ninth century 259 Danish methods of fighting 261 Consolidation of England due to the Danes 262 802. Egbert becomes King of the West Saxons 263 829. Egbert, Overlord of Mercia, and Bretwalda 264 Northumbria recognises Egbert’s supremacy 264 835–838. Danish raids 265 839. Death of Egbert: accession of Ethelwulf 265 Ethelwulf’s ministers: Swithun and Ealhstan 266 851. Victory over the Danes at Ockley 267