Chapter XV

EARLY DANISH INVASIONS--EGBERT AND ETHELWULF.

790. First affray with the Danes 257

Scandinavian ravages in the ninth century 259

Danish methods of fighting 261

Consolidation of England due to the Danes 262

802. Egbert becomes King of the West Saxons 263

829. Egbert, Overlord of Mercia, and Bretwalda 264

Northumbria recognises Egbert’s supremacy 264

835–838. Danish raids 265

839. Death of Egbert: accession of Ethelwulf 265

Ethelwulf’s ministers: Swithun and Ealhstan 266

851. Victory over the Danes at Ockley 267

853. War with Rhodri Mawr, King of Wales 267

855. Ethelwulf with his little son Alfred visits
Rome 268

He endows the _Schola Saxonum_ at Rome 270

856. His second marriage to Judith, daughter of Charles
the Bald 270

Rebellion of Ethelbald and division of the
kingdom 271

Death of Ethelwulf. His testamentary gifts 271