Forest of Rossendale. 15 



In those days of semi-barbarism, when might took the place of 

 right, and when 



"The good old rule, the simple plan, 

 That they should take who have the power, 

 And they should keep who can," 



was in full force and vigour, it almost amounted to a crime to be 

 unfortunate. Accordingly, Sihtric's two sons, Guthfred and Anlaf, 

 fled from the country to escape the death by assassination, or at 

 least the persecution, that usually awaited princes in their forlorn 

 condition. Guthfred took refuge among the Scots, and Anlaf 

 sought the shores of Ireland. 



It is probable, however, that Athelstan would have exercised 

 clemency towards the brothers ; for the elder, on surrendering 

 himself some time afterwards, was received with kindness by the 

 king, and might have lived in peace had not his roving Danish 

 propensities led him to renounce his quiet life, and assume that of 

 marauder and sea-king. 



Anlaf, who was ambitious to recover the kingdom of his royal 

 parent, had vigorously employed the years of his exile in organising 

 a force to depose the Anglo-Saxon ruler; and having perfected 

 his plans, and secured the alliance of the Scots, the Welsh, and 

 his Danish kindred, he set sail from Ireland on his expedition, with 

 a fleet of six hundred and thirteen vessels. Most writers on the 

 subject state that Anlaf landed the whole of his forces in the 

 mouth of the Humber; but no substantial proof is offered in 

 support of this very improbable theory. It is scarcely to be sup- 

 posed that Anlaf would risk a long and dangerous voyage with the 

 whole of his numerous and uncertain craft, when he was already 

 almost within sight of shores where he might with greater ease, 

 and with less risk of being confronted by an opposing army, dis- 

 embark his hosts. 



Accepting, then, the conclusions at which Mr. Wilkinson has 

 arrived in the paper previously alluded to, that a portion— pro- 

 bably the largest portion— of Anlaf 's ships sought the estuaries of 



