io2 HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

it a p. liis accession to royalty rather as an object of re-il- gret than of triumph 17 ; but being called to thethrone, in preference to his brother’s children, aswell by the will of his father, a circumstancewhich had great authority with the Anglo-Sax-ons ' 8 , as by the vows of die whole nation and theurgency of public affairs, he fiiook off hie literaryindolence, and exerted himself in the defence ofhis people. He had scarcely buried his brother,when he was obliged to take the field in orderto oppose the Danes, who had seized Wilton,and were exercising their usual ravages on thecountries around. He marched against them withthe few troops, which he could assemble on asudden; and giving them battle, gained at firstan advantage, but by his pursuing the victorytoo far, the superiority of the enemy’s numbersprevailed, and recovered them the day. Theirloss , however, in the action was so considerable,that, searing Alfred would receive daily reinforce-ment from his subjects, they were content tostipulate for a safe retreat, and promised todepart the kingdom. For that purpose they wereconducted to London, and allowed to take upwititer-quarters there ; but, careless of theirengagements, they immediately set themselves tothe committing of spoil on the neighbouringcountry. Burrhed, king of Tvlercia, in whoseterritories London was situated, made a new

' 7 Aster. p. 7.

' Ibid. p. 22. Simeon Dunelm. p. 121.