against them, and, at the first onset, they compelled them to flee, and entering the town they destroyed it, and loaded the ' wife of Hastein and his two sons with chains, burnt some of bis ships, and carried off some to the city of Rochester, and sent Hastein's wife and his two sons to the city of London. After these exploits, king Alfred, having without much difficulty defeated, and scattered, and driven to their ships those pagans on whose account he had gone to Exeter, returned to the city of London, where count Ethelred presented the wife of Hastein and his two sons to him, begging him to decide what should be done with the wife and children of that traitor, who had violated the covenant which he had made with the king. Then, though it had been adjudged by every one that they were worthy of the most shameful death, the king was unwilling to do them any harm ; because, as has been before related, he had stood godfather to one of the children at the sacred font, and count Ethelred had been godfather to the other ; and so he allowed both the mother and children to depart with their liberty. A.D. 895. Pope Formosus was elected to the Roman chair ; and he filled it three years and six months. The same year, Ulf her, archbishop of York, died, and was succeeded by Ethelbald. The same year, the wicked Hastein, and the other pagans whom the army of king Alfred had driven from Beamfleote, determined to pass over to their fellowcountrymen who were dwelling in the western parts of England. Therefore, taking their journey secretly through the provinces of Mercia, they came to a town situated on the river Severn, called ÎSuttmgeÎJune, where they were received with great respect by their brethren, and introduced into the town which they had built there. And when this was reported to king Alfred, he collected an almost invincible army, and coming to the before-mentioned town, which was washed on all sides by the waves of the Severn, he surrounded the pagans, both with his fleet, and also with his land army. But the enemy, after having endured the siege for a long time, at last, when all other food failed, devoured their horses ; and at last, when they were all eaten, being compelled by necessity, they went forth out of the town, to fight against the army which was on the eastern side of the river. And in the battle, there fell on the king's side, at the first onset, his minister, Ordein, and many others with him, but at last the Christians prevailed, and