Shortly after a second Danish host landed near Portland, doubtless to plunder Dorchester: and the local ealdorman AEthelhelm, falling upon them with the levy of Dorset men, was defeated after a sharp struggle, leaving the heathen in possession of the field.

It was not in Wessex, however, that the wickings were to make their great success.

The north had long suffered from terrible anarchy, and was a ready prey for any invader.

Out of fourteen kings who had reigned in Northumbria during the eighth century, no less than seven were put to death and six expelled by their rebellious subjects.

Christian Northumbria, which in Baeda's days had been the most flourishing part of Britain, was now reduced to a mere agglomeration of petty princes and clans, dependent on the West Saxon over-lord, and utterly unconnected with one another in feeling or sympathy.