The precaution of Athelstan was found prudent; for no sooner had darkness fallen, than Anlaf broke into the camp, and hastening directly to the place where he had left the king's tent, put the bishop to death, before he had time to prepare for his defence.[*] There fell several Danish and Welsh princes in the action of Brunsbury;[**] and Constantine and Anlaf made their escape with difficulty, leaving the greater part of their army on the field of battle.

After this success, Athelstan enjoyed his crown in tranquillity; and he is regarded as one of the ablest and most active of those ancient princes.

He passed a remarkable law, which was calculated for the encouragement of commerce, and which it required some liberality of mind in that age to have devised--that a merchant, who had made three long sea voyages on his own account, should be admitted to the rank of a thane or gentleman.

This prince died at Glocester, in the year 94l,[***] after a reign of sixteen years, and was succeeded by Edmund, his legitimate brother.
[* W.Malms, lib.ii.cap.6.Higden, p.

263.] [** Brompton, p.