72.] ETHELWOLF.
This prince had neither the abilities nor the vigor of his father, and was better qualified for governing a convent than a kingdom.[*] He began his reign with making a partition of his dominions, and delivering over to his eldest son, Athelstan, the new-conquered provinces of Essex, Kent, and Sussex.

But no inconveniences seem to have arisen from this partition as the continual terror of the Danish invasions prevented all domestic dissension.

A fleet of these ravagers, consisting of thirty-three sail, appeared at Southampton, but were repulsed with loss by Wolfhere, governor of the neighboring country.[**] The same year, AEthelhelm, governor of Dorsetshire, routed another band, which had disembarked at Portsmouth; but he obtained the victory after a furious engagement, and he bought it with the loss of his life.[***] [* W.Malms, lib.ii.cap 2.] [** Chron.Sax.p.73.Ethelwerd, lib.iii.

cap.
3.] [*** Chron.Sax.p.73.

H.Hunting, lib.