90 HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

H A PII.

S3S.

landed in the Isle os Shepey, and having pillagedit, escaped with impunity *. They were not sofortunate in their next year’s enterprise, whenthey thsemharhed from thirty-five strips, antiwere encountered by Egbert, at Charmouth inDorietsture. T he battle was bloody; but thoughthe Danes lost great numbers, they maintainedthe post, which they had taken , and thence madegood their retreat to their ships *. Having learn-ed by experience, that they must expect avigorous resistance from this warlike prince, theyentered into an alliance with the Britons of Corn-wal; and landing two years after in that country,made an inroad with their confederates into thecounty of Devon; but were met at Hengefdownby Egbert, and totally defeated ‘. While Englandremained in this state of anxiety, and defendeditself more by temporary expedients than by anyregular plan of administration, Egbert, whoalone was able to provide estectually againstthis new evil, unfortunately died; and leit thegovernment to his son, Ethelwolf.

ETHELWOLF.

This prince had neither the abilities nor thevigour of his father; and was better qualified

* Chron. Sax. p. 72.

5 Ibid. Ethehvard, lib. 3. cap. 2.

5 Chron. Sax. p. 72.