CHAPTER XXI

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ACCESSION AND ABDICATION OF ALFRED THE GREAT.

Miserable state of England when Alfred ascended the throne of Wessex--He is disheartened by the rapid arrival of the Danes --Enters into a treaty with them, and they abandon Essex--The Danes occupy London--Burrhed, king of Mercia, retires to Rome --The Danes now masters of all England, excepting Wessex-- Alfred destroys their ships--Again enters into treaty with them --He encounters them at sea--Treaty at Exeter--His strange conduct at Chippenham--Vindication of the character of Alfred --His conduct during retirement--Alfred the Great in the cowherd's hut--Discovery of his retreat--His skirmishes with the Danes--Odin, the earl of Devonshire, captures the magical banner of Hubba, the sea-king--Alfred and his followers fortify their island retreat--Poverty of the great Saxon king p. 179

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