Chapter XVII: Alfred at Peace

878–892. Fourteen years of comparative peace 286

_Circa_ 886. _Aelfredes and Guthrumes Frith_: its conditions:
boundary between the two nations 287

Family life of Alfred 289

His mysterious sicknesses 290

His exertions to raise the intellectual level of
his subjects: foreign scholars invited to his
court 291

His translation of Gregory’s _Regula Pastoralis_ 292

His translation of Orosius’s _History_ 293

Narrative of Arctic voyager Ohthere 294

His share in composition of _Saxon Chronicle_ 295

His translation of Bede’s _Ecclesiastical
History_ 295

His translation of Boethius’s _Consolation of
Philosophy_ 296

Administration of his household 298

Alfred’s Dooms 299

Greater leniency in the penalties inflicted, as
compared with those under Ine 301

Local moots 302

Condition of the servile class 303

_Folcland_ and _Bocland_ 304

CHAPTER XVIII.

ALFRED’S LAST DAYS.

892. Danish invasions recommenced 307

893. Faithlessness of the pirate Hasting 309

894. The Danes at Chester 310

895. Danish encampment by the river Lea 311

896. End of the invasion: pestilence 312

897. Alfred’s navy: sea-fight at the Isle of
Wight 313

900? Death of Alfred: his burial-place 314

Note on the extent of the Danelaw--

Distribution of the Danes in districts east
of the Watling Street boundary as evidenced
by place-names 315