34

LEARNING OF THE ANGLO-SAXONS.

9. But even now the use of stone did not become general, and glass windows were only to be seen in churches. Long after Alfred's time, the Anglo-Saxon nobles gave their feasts, and spent their great revenues, in low and inconvenient wooden structures, into which the light was admitted through holes cut in the walls, and covered with lattice-work, or, in stormy weather, with cloth.

10. The Anglo-Saxon architecture seems to have been a rude imitation of the ancient Roman manner. The most admired churches were low and gloomy, their pillars plain and clumsy, the walls very thick, and the windows few and small, with semicircular arches at the top.

CHAPTER XIV.

Of the Learning of the Anglo-Saxons.-The Clergy.

1. WHEN the Romans invaded Britain, they instructed and improved those whom they subdued. But darkness and desolation marked the course of the fierce and illiterate Saxons.

2. As you may well suppose, Alfred was a liberal encourager of learning. He established many schools, and founded the University at Oxford. There had been a seminary at this place in more ancient times, but the ravages of war had ruined it.

3. There were many impediments to progress in learning in those days. Books were very scarce and dear, so that few but kings and rich monasteries could afford to buy them. Alfred gave a great estate in land for a single volume on geography.

4. Paper was not yet invented, and parchment enough could not be had for a great supply of books. Neither was printing invented till a long time afterward, so that all books had to be written, and but few people were acquainted with that art. There are a few Saxon manuscripts now remaining, and some of them are very beautifully written.

5. There was another difficulty in the way of acquiring knowledge. There were no signs or characters to express numbers, except the Roman letters, I, V, C, D, M. The study of arithmetic was pronounced by Aldhelm to be almost too difficult for the mind of man. It was made easier by the use of the figures 1, 2, 3, 4, &c., which were invented by the Arabians, and introduced into England about the year 1130.

6. This Aldhelm whom I have quoted was a learned Saxon bishop, who lived in the seventh century. Alfred declared him to be the best of Saxon poets. He had a fine voice, and great skill in music as well as poetry.

introduced? 8. How was the example followed? 9. What of the houses of the nobles? 10. What of Anglo-Saxon architecture? Describe the churches.

XIV.-1. What of the Saxon attention to learning? 2. What did Alfred do for learning? What university did he found? 3. What is said of books? 4. What of the Baxon manuscripts? 5. What other difficulty in the way of acquiring knowledge? By whom were the present figures invented? When introduced into England? 6. What

ALFRED ENCOURAGES THE ARTS.

35

7. Observing the dislike of his countrymen to listen to regulai instruction, he composed a number of little poems, which he sang to them at church, in the place of delivering a long sermon. He did this in so sweet a manner, that they were gradually instructed and civilized.

8. What little learning there was, was confined to the clergy. The great body of these could do no more than read the Missal, as the Roman Catholic book of prayer is called. It is not uncommon to find in the ancient deeds a sentence like the following: "As my lord bishop could not write his own name, I have subscribed."

9. At first, the clergy lived in large houses called monasteries, and were a society by themselves. These were generally surrounded by beautiful gardens, in which the inmates might take exercise. Such as were competent occupied themselves in teaching the young. To each monastery was attached a church in which was regular preaching.

10. Besides these, there were no other churches in the kingdom, except the large ones at which the bishops attended, hence called cathedrals, of which there was one in each diocese, as the district is called of which a bishop has the care.

11. When the monasteries were destroyed by the Danes, the clergy took refuge in the villages. Churches were built for them to preach in, separate from monasteries. After a time many of these priests married, and lived among their parishioners, as clergymen do now. They became so much attached to their new homes, that when Alfred had rebuilt the monasteries, and wanted the old inhabitants to go back, many refused to return.

CHAPTER XV.

Alfred encourages the Arts.—About the English Navy.—Death of Alfred.-Reign of Edward the Elder.

1. ALFRED also took great pains to improve his subjects in the useful and ingenious arts, and invited many skilful foreign workmen to instruct them. The English goldsmiths soon became very expert. We have evidence of their skill in a golden ornament of very beautiful workmanship, which was found at Athelney, and which is supposed to have been worn by Alfred.

2. Athelney was the place where he concealed himself in his distress, and where he sometimes resided in his prosperity. The ornament is beautifully engraved with various figures, and bears this inscription in Saxon characters: "Alfred commanded me to be made."

of Aldhelm? 7. What mode did he adopt to instruct the people? 8. Who possessed all the learning? What of their learning? 9. How did the clergy live at first? 10. What of the churches? What is a cathedral? What a diocese? 11. What change iu their mode of life was caused by the Danes? XV.-1. What did Alfred do for the arts?

What of the skill of the goldsmiths? What

36

THE ENGLISH NAVY.

3. But the workmen most highly regarded were the blacksmiths because they could make swords, and other instruments of war. Every soldier of rank was constantly attended by his smith, to keep his arms in order. The chief smith was an officer of great dignity at court. At table he sat next to the priest, and was entitled to a draught of every kind of liquor brought into the hall.

4. Alfred was very desirous of creating a strong naval force, considering that to be the surest defence against the Danes. But he had great difficulties to struggle with. His subjects knew nothing of ship-building, so he was obliged to get foreign ship-builders.

5. In time his own subjects learned how to build ships, but there was a new difficulty-he had no sailors. These were also procured from other countries, and at last a considerable fleet was got together.

6. This fleet did not prove a very effectual defence, for the Danes coming in 330 vessels, under a famous leader named Hastings, succeeded in landing in Kent. A long contest ensued. At length the wife and children of Hastings were taken prisoners. Alfred gave them back on condition that all the Danes should leave the country.

7. The remainder of the reign of this truly great king was prosperous. He lived beloved by his subjects, feared by his enemies, and admired by all mankind. The English-and, as their descendants, we are indebted to the wisdom of Alfred for many very usefu! laws, and valuable rights.

evidence have we of it? 3. Who were the workmen most highly regarded? Why? 4. What is said of Alfred's navy? 6. What of a new attack by the Danes? 7. What valu

REIGN OF EDWARD THE ELDER.

37

8. Amongst the rest, he instituted the right of trial by jury; that is, the right of being tried and condemned by twelve of our equals, before we are punished for any offence, or deprived of any estate or privilege. Something like this had existed among the Saxons from the earliest times, but Alfred first reduced it to a regular system, and secured it by positive laws.

9. Alfred died in 901, in the forty-ninth year of his age. He was succeeded by his son Edward, surnamed the Elder, because he was the first king of that name in England. He was equal to his father as a warrior, but greatly inferior to him in science and literature. He had a sister named Ethelfleda, who was as fond of war as himself, and who assisted him in many enterprises. Edward died in 925.

CHAPTER XVI.

Adventure of Aulaff-The Long Battle.-Character of Athelstan.— His Death.

1. EDWARD was succeeded by his eldest son, Athelstan. We have neglected to tell you that all these Saxon names have a meaning. Some of them were undoubtedly given for some personal peculiarity.

2. Thus, Egbert means bright eye; and Alfred's wife's father was called Muci, that is, large. Caprice appears to have dictated the choice of others, for as they were bestowed by the parents in infancy, little could have been known of the qualities of the bearers. Thus, we have Ethelred, noble in council; Edward, the prosperous guardian; Edwin, prosperous in battle, &c. Athelstan means the noble stone.

3. The reign of Athelstan, like that of his father, was a continual conflict with the Danes. One of their generals, called Aulaff, tried the stratagem that had been practised with so much success by Alfred. He disguised himself like a minstrel, and went into Athelstan's camp.

4. The king was much pleased with his music, and, thinking he was a poor boy, gave him a piece of money. Aulaff was too proud to keep it, and when he got out of the king's tent, and thought nobody was in sight, he buried it in the ground.

5. It happened that a soldier saw him, and, thinking this very strange, examined the pretended minstrel's face, and knew him to be Prince Aulaff, but did not attempt to obstruct his departure. When the Danish prince had got to a safe distance, the soldier informed Athelstan of the discovery he had made.

6. The king reproved him for letting such a dangerous enemy escape. "I once served Aulaff,” replied the man, “and gave him

able right did Alfred secure to the people? 9. When did Alfred die? Who succeeded him? What is said of Edward the Elder? When did he die?

XVI.-1. Who succeeded Edward? What is said of the Saxon names? 2. Give the meaning of some of them. 3, 4, 5, 6. Relate the adventure of Aulaff. 7. What follower

38

CHARACTER OF ATHELSTAN.

the same faith that I have now given to you; and if I had betrayed him, what trust would you have reposed in my truth? Let him die, if such be his fate, but not through my treachery. Secure yourself from danger, and remove your tent, lest he should assail you unawares."

7. Athelstan was pleased with the honest soldier's answer, and took his advice. It was well he did, for that very night Aulaff, with a chosen band, broke into the camp, and killed a bishop who had pitched his tent upon the spot where the king's had stood.

8. The noise of the attack waked the Saxons, and the battle became general. It lasted all that night, and all the following day, and is distinguished in Saxon history by the name of the long battle. It ended in Athelstan's gaining a complete victory, which secured to him the peaceful possession of his kingdom.

9. Athelstan is regarded as one of the ablest of the ancient princes. One law which he made certainly affords proof of liberality and enlargement of mind. He decreed that any merchant who had made three long sea-voyages on his own account should be admitted to the rank of a thane.

10. He was most courteous in his manners, and was much beloved by his subjects. It is related that his hair was bright yellow, and that he wore it beautifully plaited. He died in 941, in the forty-sixth year of his age, and the sixteenth of his reign.

CHAPTER XVII.

How Edmund, a brave king, was murdered. -About Edred.St. Dunstan.-How he resisted the temptations of the Devil.

1. EDMUND, a brother of Athelstan, succeeded to the throne. He was only eighteen years old. The Danes, whom Alfred had permitted to settle in Northumberland, had caused great trouble in the country. They were continually rising in rebellion, and attempting to establish an independent government.

2. Aulaff, whose adventure I have related to you, was now their prince. He had escaped from the long battle, and taken refuge in Ireland. The youth and inexperience of the king gave him hopes of better success in a new attempt. He collected a large army, which was totally defeated by the English under Edmund, and the whole country was reduced to submission.

3. Edmund had displayed so much wisdom and courage, that there was every hope his reign would be a happy one, when a sudden end was put to it. He was sitting at a feast, with all his nobles

it?

8. What is the battle which succeeded called? 9. What of Athelstan? What law did he make? 10. When did he die? XVII.-1. Who succeeded Athelstan? What of the Northumberland Danes? 2. What of Aulaff? What was the success of his new attempt? 3, 4. Relate the manner of