The consequence of this was the frequent division and frequent reunion of the same territory, which were productive of infinite mischief; many various principles of succession gave titles to some, pretensions to more; and plots, cabals, and crimes could not be wanting to all the pretenders.

Thus was Mercia torn to pieces; and the kingdom of Northumberland, assaulted on one side by the Scots, and ravaged on the other by the Danish incursions, could not recover from a long anarchy into which its intestine divisions had plunged it.

Egbert knew how to make advantage of these divisions: fomenting them by his policy at first, and quelling them afterwards by his sword, he reduced these two kingdoms under his government.

The same power which conquered Mercia and Northumberland made the reduction of Kent and Essex easy,--the people on all hands the more readily submitting, because there was no change made in their laws, manners, or the form of their government.
[Sidenote: Egbert A.D.

827.] [Sidenote: A.D.