When Alfred came to the throne (871) the Danes, or Northmen, as they
were often called, were sweeping down upon the country. A few months
before he became King, he had aided his brother in a desperate
struggle with them. In the beginning, the object of the Danes was to
plunder, later, to possess, and finally, to rule over the country.
They had already overrun a large portion of England and had invaded
Wessex or the country of the West Saxons. (See map facing p. 30.)
Wherever their raven flag appeared, destruction and slaughter
followed.