按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
and built a strong fort at Milton。
Alfred stationed his army in a strong position half…way
between the forest and the Danish camp at Milton； so that he
could attack either army when they moved out of their stronghold。
The Danes for many months remained in the forest；
issuing out occasionally to plunder in the open country of
Kent； Sussex； and Hampshire； but they met with a stout resistance
from the Saxons who had remained in the towns and country。
After Easter； having collected a considerable amount of
spoil； and finding the resistance ever increasing； the Danes
moved northwards from their forest； intending to march into
Essex。 The king's forces at once set off to intercept them；
and overtook them at Farnham； where the Northmen were
completely defeated。 All their booty was recaptured； with
their horses and stores。 Those who escaped fled across the
Thames and took refuge on an island in the Colne。 The
Saxons besieged them there； but when the Danes were about
to surrender from want of provisions the news arrived that
the Northmen of Northumbria and East Anglia； with 240
ships； had landed suddenly in Devonshire； and had laid siege
to Exeter。
The siege of the island was at once raised； and King
Alfred marched against the new arrivals； and advancing with
great speed fell upon them and defeated them。 Then hastily
returning he came to London and； joined by a strong force
from Mercia； marched against Milton； where Hasting had
been joined by the great number of the Danes who had
formed the army in the Weald。 Hasting himself was away；
but his army marched out to meet the Saxons。
A great battle was fought； but the Danes could not resist
the ardour of their assailants。 Their army was routed and
their fortress stormed。 All the booty within it fell into the
hands of the victors； together with the wives and families of
the Danes； among whom were the wife and two sons of Hasting。
The Danish fleet also was captured； and was burned or
taken to London。 Another great fleet of the East Angles
and Northumbrians sailed up the Thames； and landing； the
Northmen marched across to the Severn； but were defeated
and destroyed by Ethelred of Mercia。
Exeter was again invested by a Danish fleet； and again
saved by Alfred。 The Danes； as they retired along the south
coast； landed near Chichester； where they suffered a heavy
defeat from the South Saxons。
In the following year a fresh fleet sailed up the Thames
and thence up the Lea； where they constructed a fortress
twenty miles above London。
Alfred caused two fortresses to be erected on the Lea
below them； with vast balks of timber entirely obstructing
the river。 The Danes； finding their retreat cut off； abandoned
their ships and marched across England to Cwatbridge on
the Severn。 Their fleet fell into the hands of the Londoners；
who burned and broke up all the smaller ships and carried
the rest down to London。 The Danes were so disconcerted
by the many and severe defeats which had befallen them that
they now abandoned the idea of again conquering England；
and taking ship； sailed for France。
Four years later； in 901； King Alfred died； having reigned
twenty…nine years and six months。 During his reign England
had made immense advances in civilization； and in spite of
the devastation wrought by the Danish occupation of Wessex
during the early years of his reign； and the efforts required
afterwards to oppose them； the wealth and prosperity of the
country vastly increased during his reign。 Abbeys and
monasteries had multiplied； public buildings been erected；
towns rebuilt and beautified； and learning had made great
advances。 The laws of the country had been codified and
regulated； the administration of justice placed on a firm
basis。 The kingly authority had greatly increased； and the
great ealdormen were no longer semi…independent nobles； but
officers of the crown。 Serfdom； although not entirely
abolished； had been mitigated and regulated。 Arts and
manufactures had made great progress。
Edmund and Freda survived King Alfred many years；
and their district continued to be one of the most prosperous
and well…ruled in the kingdom。 Their descendants continued
to hold the office of ealdorman until the invasion by
William the Conqueror； and the holder of the office at that
time fell； with numbers of his followers； at the battle of
Hastings。 For very many years after that event the prow of
the Dragon was kept in the great hall of Sherborne as a
memorial of the valiant deeds performed against the Danes
by Ealdorman Edmund。
End