ib.

371

Doubts as to his being crowned king of England
Dates and successions of the different kings of
the octarchy

BOOK IV.

CHAP. I.

The Political State of NORWAY, SWEDEN, and DENMARK,

-

CHAP. III.

Comparison between the Histories of SAXO-GRAMMATICUS

and SNORRE. The first Aggression of the NORTHMEN

on the ANGLO-SAXONS.-The Rise, Actions, and Death

of RAGNAR LODBROG.

The Reign of ETHELWULPH. - Invasion of the NORTH-

MEN.

Birth of ALFRED the Great. - His Travels.

ETHELWULPH's Deposition.

-

-

CHAP. VI.

The Accession of ETHELRED, the third Son of ETHEL-

WULPH. The Arrival of the Sons of RAGNAR LOD-

BROG in ENGLAND. - Their Revenge on ELLA.

Conquests and Depredations. -ETHELRED's Death.

The Reign of ALFRED from his Accession to his Retirement.

ALFRED becomes a Fugitive. -Misconduct imputed to him.

Review of the Causes and Consequences of the NORTHMAN

Invasion The Actions of HASTINGS, and his Invasion

-

THE

HISTORY

OF THE

ANGLO-SAXONS.

BOOK I.

CHAPTER I.

The early Division of Mankind into the Civilised and Nomadic Nations. The most ancient Population of Britain proceeded from the Nomadic.

No subject has been more disputed by antiquarian writers than the origin of the population of Europe; and no discussions have been more fanciful, more illtempered, or more contradictory. As vehement and pertinacious have been the controversies on the peopling of Great Britain. Few topics would seem to be more remote from the usual currents of human passions, than the inquiry from what nations our primeval ancestors descended: and yet the works of our historical polemics, on investigations so little connected with any present interest or feeling, abound with all the abusive anger which irritability can furnish; as well as with all the dogmatism, confusion, dreams, and contradictions, that egotism could generate, or wranglers and adversaries pursue.

It is not intended in this work to renew disputa

CHAP.

I.