History of the Anglo-Saxons, from the Earliest Period to the Norman Conquest: Second Edition — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
History of the Anglo-Saxons, from the Earliest Period to the Norman Conquest: Second Edition
John Stuart Mill · en
Ethelwold lays claim to the throne of Wessex--Is backed by the
Danes, and crowned at York--Battle of Axeholme and defeat of
Ethelwold--Edward ravages Northumbria--The Danes attack
Mercia--They enter the Severn--Battle of Wodensfield, and
defeat of the Danes--Edward strengthens his frontier with
fortresses--Their situation described--Bravery of his sister
Ethelfleda--The Danes enter North Wales--Edward again
victorious--Submission of the Welsh princes and the Danes of
Northumbria--Death of Edward the Elder p. 202
CHAPTER XXV.
THE REIGN OF ATHELSTAN.
Athelstan, the favourite grandchild of Alfred the Great--While
but a boy his grandfather invests him with the honours of
knighthood--He is educated by Alfred's daughter, Ethelfleda--
Athelstan's sister married Sigtryg, a descendant of the famous
sea-kings--The Dane repudiates his wife, and renounces his new
religion--Athelstan invades his dominions--Death of Sigtryg,
and flight of his sons--Preparation for the invasion of England
--The force arrayed against Athelstan--Measures adopted by the
Saxon king--Preparations for battle--Picturesque description
of the battle of Brunanburg--Anglo-Saxon song on Athelstan's
victory--High position attained by Athelstan--Otho the Great
marries Athelstan's sister--The Saxon monarch forms an alliance
with the emperor of Germany and the king of Norway--Harold of
Norway suppresses piracy--Sends his son Haco to be educated
at the Saxon court--Presents a beautiful ship to Athelstan--
Death of Harold, king of Norway--List of the kings who were
established on their thrones by Athelstan--His presents to the
monasteries--His charity and laws for the relief of the poor--
Cruelty to his brother Edwin--Death of Athelstan p. 212
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE REIGNS OF EDMUND AND EDRED.
Accession of Edmund the Elder--Anlaf, the Dane, invades Mercia,
and defeats the Saxons--Edmund treats with Anlaf, and divides
England with the Danes--Perilous state of the Saxon succession
prevented by the death of Anlaf--Change in Edmund's character
--His brilliant victories--Cruelty to the British princes--
Edmund assassinated while celebrating the feast of St. Augustin,
by Leof, the robber--Mystery that surrounds the murder of
Edmund the Elder--Edred ascends the Saxon throne--Eric, the
sea-king--His daring deeds on the ocean--Description of
his wild life--Edred invades Northumbria--Eric attacks his
own subjects--Edred's victory over the Danes--Scandinavian
war-song on the death of Eric--Death of Edred p. 218
CHAPTER XXVII.
EDWIN AND ELGIVA.