. . sixth king ofEngland, for a time successfully defended his one year he defeated the Danes in eight battles,when a new irruption of their countrymen forced himto solicit a peace, which these pirates interrupted bynew hostilities. The forces of Alfred were so weakenedand dispirited, that he was abandoned, and compelledto seek his safety for many months, in an obscure partof the country, disguised in the dress of a peasant, andliving in a herdsmans cottage as a servant. It is said,that on one occasion, the herdsmans wife
. . sixth king ofEngland, for a time successfully defended his one year he defeated the Danes in eight battles,when a new irruption of their countrymen forced himto solicit a peace, which these pirates interrupted bynew hostilities. The forces of Alfred were so weakenedand dispirited, that he was abandoned, and compelledto seek his safety for many months, in an obscure partof the country, disguised in the dress of a peasant, andliving in a herdsmans cottage as a servant. It is said,that on one occasion, the herdsmans wife ordered himto take care of some cakes that were baking by the fire, 207. When did England become one kingdom 1 Who werethe Danes, and what is said of them ? 208. What is said of Alfred] With whom did he seekrefuge I Relate the anecdote of Alfred and the herdsmanswife. 144» MODERN HISTORY. but lie forgot his trust and let them burn ; for this shescolded him severely, telling him he would be ready-enough to eat, though he would not take the pains toturn herdsmans wife scolding at King Alfred. 209. Successes of Alfred. The Danes having beenmade careless by their successes, the followers of Alfredgained some advantages over them. Alfred hearing ofthis, resolved to make a vigorous effort to obtain hiscrown. He entered the Danish camp in the disguiseof a harper, and excited so much interest by his mu-sical talents, that he was introduced to Guthrum, theDanish prince, and remained with him for some obtained a perfect knowledge of their camp andunguarded state, he returned to his followers, and with alarge force attacked the Danes, and obtained a completevictory. Alfred then proposed to Guthrum, that he andhis followers should embrace the Christian religion,and join the English in opposing the ravages of theDanes. This proposition was accepted ; Guthrum andhis men were baptized, and settled in England, A. D. 880. 209- By what means did Alfred get into the Danish ca
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