from them, as we also have been delivered, by the merits of the blessed Peter, and by the prayers of Saint Rernigius, to whom the Lord has given a great Aposueship over the kings, and over all the nations of the French ; and unless he favours and assists the relics of our race, our family will soon come to an end, and will furnish no more kings or emperors. Know, therefore, that the power of the empire will be soon taken out of your hands, and after that, you shall have but a short time to pass in this life.' Then, Louis, turning to me, said to me : ' Louis, the son of your son, is fated to succeed to the empire, which you have hitherto held by hereditary right' And when he had said this, it seemed to me, that a little boy was present before me, and Lothaire, his grandfather, looking on him, said to me : ' Restore to him the power of the empire, by that ball of thread which you are holding in your hand.' Therefore, unwinding the thread from the thumb of my right hand, I gave him up the whole monarchy of the empire, by that same thread ; and immediately, that ball of thread, shining like a beam of the sun, became all united into one mass in bis hand. " And so, after this marvellous occurrence, my spirit returned into my body, greatly exhausted and afflicted." After this vision, the same Charles enjoyed the empire for scarcely two years, and was succeeded by Louis, who afterwards married the daughter of Edward, kmg of England. But of this we will speak hereafter. The same year, Esne, bishop of Hereford, died, and was succeeded by Ceohnund. A.D. 886. King Alfred, after burning many cities, and committing great slaughter among the armies of the enemy, besieged and blockaded the city of London, which was the metropolis of the kingdom ; and all the nations of the English flocked thither to him, and made submission to him. For previously, they had all been scattered over the deserted and woody parts of the country, because of the frequent invasions of the Danes, and wandered about unsettled and homeless, without any defender. Therefore, having united them all by a treaty, and received their homage, and their oaths of fealty, the king, supported by their assistance, made most rigorous attacks upon the city, and erecting his machines all round, endeavoured to batter down the walls. But the citizens, fearing to contend against the king, opening the gates of the city, received him with honour. Then, the king having restored