32T 



It may be well here to note by quotation what the Chronicles 

 do say :— • 



Fabius Ethehverd says — " Guthrum submitted to the rite of 

 baptism, and King Alfred as sponsor, received him from the laver 

 in the marshy isle of Alney. Duke Aethelnoth likewise purified 

 him after his baptism, at a place called Wedmor, and there King 

 Alfred loaded him with magnificent honours." 



Gaimar says — "Guthrum was baptized at Aire, it was very 

 near Edelingee. At Wetmore was the chrism loosing, and they 

 stayed 12 days with the courteous King (Alfred) who entertained 

 them with honour." 



Asser says — " After seven Aveeks, Guthrum came to King 

 Alfred at a place near Athelney, named Aire, where Alfred raised 

 him from the sacred font of baptism ; and the chrism loosing took 

 place on the eighth day afterwards at a royal town called Wedmor. 

 After his baptism he remained twelve nights with the King, who 

 with all his nobles bountifully gave him many excellent dwellings." 

 The Saxon Chronicle says — " Three weeks after Guthrum came 

 to AUer which is near Athelney : and the King was his godfather 

 at baptism : and his chrism loosing was at Wedmore : and he 

 was twelve days with the King : and he greatly honoured him 

 with gifts." 



John of Wallingford says — " Alfred, after his triumph (at 

 Ethandune) returned to Athelney and there built a strong castle, 

 where Guthrum came to him and was baptized." 



Ingulph, after noticing the baptism, says — " Meantime, while 

 King Alfred was still sojourning in Athelney, the pagans were 

 returning into Mercia. Alfred transformed his fortress, in memory 

 of his sojourn, into a monastery for monks." 



It is clear enough that the baptism was at AUer as being " very 

 near" Athelney, and also that Guthrum was entertained twelve 

 days afterwards, that is twelve days after the baptism, but not 

 twelve days at Wedmore, not twelve days after the chrism loosing. 

 It is not until the eighth day that he is found at Wedmore, as 



