142 HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

3 H a r. There fell several Danish and Welsh prince?

II. in the action of Brunsbury II+ ; and Constantine jand Anlaf made their escape with difficulty ,leaving the greater part of their army on thefield of battle. After this success , Athelstanenjoyed his crown in tranquillity ; and he isregarded as one of the ablest and most active ofthose ancient princes. He passed a remarkable law,which was calculated for the encouragement ofcommerce , and which it required some liberalityof mind, in that age , to have devised : That amerchant, who had made three long sea-voyageson his own account, should be admitted to therank of a thane or gentleman. This prince diedat Glocester in the year 941 115 , after a reign ofsixteen years ; and was succeedde by Edmund,his legitimate brother.

EDMUND.

s*i. EdMUND, on his accession, met with disturb-ance from the restless Northumbrians, who lay inwait for every opportunity of breaking intorebellion. But marching suddenly wiih his forcesinto their country, he so overawed the rebels,that they endeavoured to appease him by themost humble submissions In order to givehim the surer pledge of their obedience, they

Bfompton, p. 839. Ingulf, p. 29.

1 Chron. Sax. p. 114.

*‘ s W. Malmes. lib. 2. cap. 7. Brompton, p. 857.