most valiant thanes of king Alfred, together with twelve hundred men, at Cernwich,8' in which place the said king's thanes had shut themselves up for safety. King Alfred being encouraged in a vision by Saint Cuthbert, fought against the Danes, at the time and place where the saint had commanded him ; and having gained the victory, from that time forward was always invincible and a terror to the foe. For the king, putting his trust in the Lord, eame with an immense army to the place which is called Edderandun,88 near which he found the forces of the enemy prepared for battle. On this, a severe battle being fought, which lasted the greater part of the day, the pagans were conquered and put to flight; the rest being hemmed in by the king's army, fearing the rigours of famine and cold, and dreading the severity of the king, with tears and entreaties, sued for peace, and offered hostages together with oaths. In addition to this, their king, whose name was Guthrum, declared that he wished to become a Christian ; on which, king Alfred having granted all these requests, the above-named king of the pagans, together with thirty chosen men of his army, met him at a place whieh is called Aalr,89 and king Alfred, receiving him as his son by adoption, raised him from the holy font of baptism, and named him Ethel-stan, and enriched him and all his companions who had been baptized with him, with many presents. lie remained with the king twelve days, receiving during that time most honorable entertainment, and the king bestowed on him East Anglia, over which Saint Edmund had reigned. In the year 878, the above-mentioned army of pagans left Scippanham90 as they had promised, and coming to Cirencester remained there one year. In the same year also, an immense army of the pagans came from the parts beyond the sea to the river Thames, and joined the forces before-mentioned. In the same year, an eelipse of the sun took place, between the ninth hour91 and vespers. In the year 879, the army of the pagans, leaving Cirencester, 57 MoreproperlyKynwith, near Bideford, in North Devon. Hnbberstone, the spot where Hubba was buried, is still pointed out. 8,1 Probably Edington. in Wiltshire. 83 Called also " Aire," or " Aller," near the isle of Athelney, in Somersetshire. 3a Chippenham. 91 Three o'clock in the afternoon. This eclipse took place on the 14th of March, 880. 50 ANNALS OF BOGEE DE HOVEDEN. A.D. 878.