I speak now of periods subsequent to the consolidation of the monarchy: while England was full of kinglets, disputes were not infrequent. Northumberland and Wessex (previous to Beorhtríc’s alliance with Offa) furnish examples. But here the competitors were numerous, and the witan themselves split into parties, generally maintaining the interests of _different_ royal families. Footnote 541: Asser, an. 871. Footnote 542: Simeon of Durham uses equally strong terms on the occasion. “Ælfredus a ducibus et a praesulibus totius gentis eligitur, et non solum ab ipsis, verumetiam ab omni populo adoratur, ut eis praeesset, ad faciendam vindictam in nationibus, increpationes in populis.” An. 871. ----- Not one word have we here about his nephews, or any rights they might possess: and Asser seems to think royalty itself a matter entirely dependent upon the popular will, and the good opinion entertained by the nation of its king. I shall conclude this head by citing a few instances from Saxon documents of the intervention of the witan in a king’s election and inauguration. In 924, the Chronicle says: “This year died Eádweard the king at Fearndún, among the Mercians ... and Æðelstán was chosen king by the Mercians, and consecrated at Kingston.” Florence of Worcester, an. 959, distinctly asserts that Eádgar was elected by all the people of England,—“ab omni Anglorum populo electus ... regnum suscepit.” In 979, the Chronicle again says: “This year Æðelred took to the kingdom; and he was soon after consecrated king at Kingston, with great rejoicing of the English witan.” In 1016, the election of Eádmund írensída is thus related: “Then befel it that king Æðelred died ... and then after his death, all the witan who were in London, and the townsmen, chose Eádmund to be king.” Again in 1017: “This year was Cnut elected king.” In 1036 again we have these words: “This year died Cnut the king at Salisbury ... and soon after his decease there was a gemót of all the witan (‘ealra witena gemót’) at Oxford: and Leófríc the eorl, and almost all the thanes north of the Thames, and the _lithsmen_ in London chose Harald to be chief of all England; to him and his brother Hardacnut who was in Denmark.” This election was opposed unsuccessfully by Godwine and the men of Wessex.