Francis Blomefield

“ Alfred the Great had wholly subdued the Danes, the author of his life tells us, that finding the earth walls which encompassed the Saxon fortifications not strong enough to resist a furious enemy, he erected strong castles and forts of brick and stone, and among others, improved the fortifications of this castle, and (as I think) erected the first castle of brick and stone that ever was built here ”

“ In his time the Danes began to stir, and so far conquered the King's forces, that he was obliged to let them enjoy these parts quietly, which encouraged them so, that in 981 they invited more forces hither, and so harassed the King, that in 991 he agreed to pay them 10,000l. ”

“ Æthelstane, his son, totally expelled the Danes, and brought the whole into one entire monarchy, so that in his time, by reason of a settled peace, this city flourished much; about the year 925, we may suppose him to have been here, there being a coin of his then struck still extant; round the head is this, ÆTHELSTAN. on the reverse is a cross in the midst, and this round it, BARBE MOnetarius de NORDWIC. i. e. Barbe Mintmaster of Northwic. This King died in 941, and left
Edmund, his brother, his successour, of whom we have a coin struck in this city, with his name round his head, viz. ”