A.D. 110—939.] KING ATHBLSTAN. and in the plain of Wodnesfield the English obtained the victory : the Danish army fled, overwhelmed by the darts of their enemies: these things are said to have been done on the fifth day of August ; and their three kings fell there in that turmoil or battle, namely, Halfdene, Ecwils, and Hingwar : they lost their sovereignty, and descended to the court of the infernal king, and their elders and nobles with them. A. 910. After one year, Ethered, who survived of the Mercians, departed this life, and was buried peacefully in the city of Gloucester. A. 912. After two years, died Athulf in Northumbria ; he was at that time commander of the town called Bebbanbnrgh.* A. 913. After a year, a fleet entered the mouth of the river Severn, but no severe battle was fought there that year. Lastly, the greater part of that army go to Ireland, formerly called Bretannis by the great Julius Cassar. A. 914. After one year, the day of Christ's nativity fell on a Sunday ; and so great was the tranquillity of that winter, that no one can remember anything like it either before or since. A. 917. After three years, Ethelfled the king's sister departed this life, and her body lies buried at Gloucester. A 926. Also in the ninth year died Edward, king of the English. This was the end ; his name and his pertinacity here ceased. CHAP. V.-r-Ofthe reign of king Athektan, his wars and deeds. A. 926. The year in which the stout king Athelstan gained the crown of the kingdom, was the nine hundred and twenty-sixth from the glorious incarnation of our Saviour. A. 939. Therefore, after thirteen years, afierce battle was fought against the barbarians at Brunandune,^ wherefore that fight is called great even to the present day : then the barbarian tribes are defeated and domineer no longer ; they are driven beyond the ocean : the Scots and Picts also bow the neck ; the lands of Britain are consolidated together, on all sides is peace, and plenty of all things, nor ever did a fleet again come to land except in friendship with the English. " Bambrough. •*· Brumby, Lincolnshire.