CHAPTER VII.
REVERSES.
The historians say that Alfred was very unwilling to assume the crown when the death of Ethelred presented it to him.

If it had been an object of ambition or desire, there would probably have been a rival claimant, whose right would perhaps have proved superior to his own, since it appears that one or more of the brothers who reigned before him left a son, whose claim to the inheritance, if the inheritance had been worth claiming, would have been stronger than that of their uncle.

The _son_ of the oldest son takes precedence always of the _brother_, for hereditary rights, like water, never move laterally so long as they can continue to descend.
The nobles, however, and chieftains, and all the leading powers of the kingdom of Wessex, which was the particular kingdom which descended from Alfred's ancestors, united to urge Alfred to take the throne.

His father had, indeed, designated him as the successor of his brothers by his will, though how far a monarch may properly control by his will the disposal of his realm, is a matter of great uncertainty.

Alfred yielded at length to these solicitations, and determined on assuming the sovereign power.