45. Vikings and Alfred the Great King of the West Saxons. ? 

45.-  Daniel Chapter 11, Verse 25.

Vikings and Alfred the Great King of the West Saxons. ? 865- AD 899. 

Daniel 11:25:- "AND HE SHALL STIR UP HIS POWER AND HIS COURAGE AGAINST THE KING OF THE SOUTH WITH A GREAT ARMY; AND THE KING OF THE SOUTH SHALL BE STIRRED UP TO BATTLE WITH A VERY GREAT AND MIGHTY ARMY; BUT HE SHALL NOT STAND; FOR THEY SHALL FORECAST DEVICES AGAINST HIM".

This verse is dealing with the Southern Kingdom of Wessex in England and the Northern armies of the Scandinavian counties of Danes, Norwegians, Sweden etc; called Vikings -or- Norsemen. We are dealing also with the several directions these Vikings chose to enter the "Isles", by 871 AD. They had overrun Europe and entered Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

The history of that time zone of the Southern Kingdom of Wessex in England, within Daniel's prophecy, is confirmed in this verse, because secular history and biblical history go hand in hand. Both of these 2 armies prophesied overflow into verse 26 and verse 27 of Daniel 11, giving us more historical detail to the Viking and Wessex of England picture.

The "He" which we have in verse 25 is "whatever King" of the Norsemen ruled at that time in history and who headed this "great army" of the Vikings, because time and time again these Kings or Chieftains of the Norsemen fell in battle in England etc; only to be replaced almost instantly, with another Viking warrior flexing his muscles for power.

The Vikings covered a period of 250 years, when this scourge brought England to its knees, which is seen in Daniel's verses. Let us now go to Wessex and the Viking horde of Daniel 11:25. "AND "HE" SHALL STIR UP HIS POWER AND HIS COURAGE AGAINST THE KING OF THE SOUTH WITH A GREAT ARMY". The "He" we have here is a Viking called "Ivar the Boneless" the scourge of the English, as Winston Churchill put it! It is said that the prayer of the English was, "From the Fury of the Norsemen, Good Lord deliver us", when they were confronted by such awesome, brutal leaders as "Ivar the Boneless". This "He" of the Vikings "STIRRED UP HIS POWER AND COURAGE" against England, as Daniel prophesied through a memorable event, the story of which coming down to us in secular history. I shall quote from Winston Churchill and his history of the "English Speaking Peoples".

But first let us enlarge the meaning of the words "STIR POWER" and "COURAGE". -"STIR" means to cause to move, to put into motion, to incite and provoke, etc; It's a tumult set in commotion, and disorder. - "POWER" It's the ability to act, a capability of strength, a force of energy and faculty of mind. It's a talent or ability of influence amongst men with command, of dominion and rule and one who exercises authority. This POWER is a moving force capable of producing a required effect. - "COURAGE" a quality of heart and mind capable which enables men dauntlessly to meet dangers and attempts to repel them. It's a bravery, boldness and daring.

Now we will see that "STIRRING" of "COURAGE" and "POWER" happening to the Vikings with "Ivar the Boneless" and his brothers, whose "STIRRED" fury came down upon England especially hard.

Churchill's story of the event reads thus:- "IN VIKING LEGEND AT THIS PERIOD NONE WAS MORE FAMOUS THAN RAGNAR LODBROK OR "HAIRY-BREECHES". HE WAS BORN IN NORWAY, BUT WAS CONNECTED WITH THE RULING FAMILY OF DENMARK. HE WAS A RAIDER FROM HIS YOUTH. "WEST OVER SEAS" WAS HIS MOTTO. HIS PROW HAD RANGED FROM THE ORKNEYS TO THE WHITE SEA. IN 845 HE LED A VIKING FLEET UP THE SEINE AND ATTACKED PARIS. THE ONSLAUGHT WAS REPULSED, AND PLAGUE TOOK UNFORESEEABLE REVENGE UPON THE BUCCANEERS. HE TURNED HIS MOBILE ARMS AGAINST NORTHUMBRIA, (England) HERE AGAIN FATE WAS ADVERSE. ACCORDING TO A SCANDINAVIAN STORY, HE WAS CAPTURED BY KING ELLA OF NORTHUMBRIA, AND CAST INTO A SNAKEPIT TO DIE. AMID THE COILING MASS OF LOATHSOME ADDERS HE SANG TO THE END HIS DEATH SONG. RAGNAR HAD FOUR SONS, AND AS HE LAY AMONG THE VENOMOUS REPTILES HE UTTERED A POTENT THREAT. "THE LITTLE PIGS WOULD GRUNT NOW IF THEY KNEW HOW IT FARES WITH THE OLD BOAR". THE SKALD'S TELL US HOW HIS SONS RECEIVED THE NEWS. BJORN "IRONSIDE" GRIPPED HIS SPEAR SHAFT SO HARD THAT THE PRINT OF HIS FINGERS REMAINED STAMPED UPON IT. HUITSERK WAS PLAYING CHESS, BUT HE CLENCHED HIS FINGERS UPON A PAWN SO TIGHTLY THAT THE BLOOD STARTED FROM UNDER HIS NAILS. SIGURD "SNAKE-EYE" WAS TRIMMING HIS NAILS WITH A KNIFE, AND KEPT ON PARING UNTIL HE CUT INTO THE BONE. BUT THE FOURTH SON WAS THE ONE WHO COUNTED. "IVAR THE BONELESS", DEMANDED THE PRECISE DETAILS OF HIS FATHERS EXECUTION, AND HIS FACE "BECAME RED, BLUE, AND PALE BY TURNS, AND HIS SKIN WAS SWOLLEN WITH ANGER".

A FORM O VENGEANCE WAS PRESCRIBED BY WHICH SONS SHOULD REQUITE THE KILLER OF THEIR FATHER. IT WAS KNOWN AS THE "BLOOD- RED EAGLE." THE FLESH AND RIBS OF THE KILLER MUST BE CUT AND SAWN OUT IN AN AQUILINE PATTERN, AND THEN THE DUTIFUL SON WITH HIS OWN HANDS WOULD TEAR OUT THE PALPITATING LUNGS. THIS WAS THE DOOM WHICH IN LEGEND OVERTOOK KING ELLA. BUT THE ACTUAL CONSEQUENCES TO ENGLAND WERE SERIOUS. IVAR "THE BONELESS" WAS A WARRIOR OF COMMAND AND GUILE. HE WAS THE MASTERMIND BEHIND THE SCANDINAVIAN INVASION OF ENGLAND IN THE LAST QUARTER OF THE NINTH CENTURY. "HE" IT WAS WHO PLANNED THE GREAT CAMPAIGNS BY WHICH EAST ANGLIA, DEIRA IN NORTHUMBRIA, AND MERCIA WERE CONQUERED. HITHERTO HE HAD BEEN FIGHTING IN IRELAND, BUT HE NOW APPEARED IN 865 IN EAST ANGLIA. IN THE SPRING OF 866 HIS POWERFUL ARMY, ORGANISED ON THE BASIS OF SHIPS COMPANIES, BUT NOW ALL MOUNTED NOT FOR FIGHTING BUT FOR LOCOMOTION, RODE NORTH ALONG THE OLD ROMAN ROAD AND WAS FERRIED ACROSS THE HUMBER.

HE LAID SIEGE TO YORK. AND NOW TOO LATE - THE NORTHUMBRIANS, WHO HAD BEEN DIVIDED IN THEIR LOYALTIES BETWEEN TWO RIVAL KINGS, FORGOT THEIR FEUDS AND UNITED IN ONE FINAL EFFORT. THEY ATTACKED THE DANISH ARMY BEFORE YORK. AT FIRST THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL; THE HEATHENS WERE DRIVEN BACK UPON THE CITY WALLS. THE DEFENDERS SALLIED OUT, AND IN THE CONFUSION THE VIKINGS DEFEATED THEM ALL WITH GRIEVOUS SLAUGHTER, KILLING BOTH THEIR KINGS AND DESTROYING COMPLETELY THEIR POWER OF RESISTANCE. THIS WAS THE END OF NORTHUMBRIA. THE NORTH OF ENGLAND NEVER RECOVERED ITS ASCENDANCY.

BUT IVAR'S OBJECT WAS NOTHING LESS THAN THE CONQUEST OF MERCIA, WHICH, AS ALL MEN KNEW, HAD FOR NEARLY A HUNDRED YEARS REPRESENTED THE STRENGTH OF ENGLAND. IVAR LAY BEFORE NOTTINGHAM. THE KING OF MERCIA CALLED FOR HELP FROM WESSEX. THE OLD KING OF WESSEX WAS DEAD BUT HIS TWO SONS ETHELRED AND ALFRED, ANSWERED THE APPEAL. THEY MARCHED TO HIS AID, AND OFFERED TO JOIN HIM IN HIS ATTACK UPON THE BESIEGERS LINES; BUT THE MERCIANS FLINCHED, AND PREFERRED A PARLEY. IVAR WARRED WITH POLICY AS WELL AS ARMS. HE HAD NOT HARMED CHURCHES AT YORK AND RIPON. HE WAS CONTENT TO SET UP A VASSAL KING, ONE EGBERT, IN NORTHUMBRIA, AND AFTER ENDING THE CAMPAIGN OF 868 BY A TREATY WHICH LEFT HIM MASTER OF NOTTINGHAM HE SPENT THE WINTER FORTIFYING HIMSELF IN YORK.

WHILE THE DANES IN THEIR FORMIDABLE ATTEMPT AT CONQUEST OUT FROM EAST ANGLIA, SUBDUED MERCIA, AND RAVAGED NORTHUMBRIA, THE KING OF WESSEX AND HIS BROTHER ALFRED QUIETLY BUILT UP THEIR STRENGTH. THEIR FORTUNES TURNED ON BALANCES SO DELICATE AND PRECARIOUS THAT EVEN THE SLIGHTEST ADDITION TO THEIR BURDENS MUST HAVE BEEN FATAL. IT WAS THEREFORE A DELIVERANCE WHEN IVAR, AFTER BREAKING THE TREATY OF NOTTINGHAM AND SUBJECTING KING EDMUND OF EAST ANGLIA TO MARTYRDOM, SUDDENLY QUITTED ENGLAND FOREVER. THE ANNALS OF ULSTER EXPLAIN THAT OLAF AND IVAR, THE TWO KINGS OF THE NORTHMEN, CAME AGAIN TO DUBLIN IN 870 FROM SCOTLAND, AND A "VERY GREAT SPOIL OF CAPTIVES, ENGLISH, BRITISH, AND PICTISH, WAS CARRIED AWAY TO IRELAND." BUT THEN THERE IS THIS FINAL ENTRY. "872 IVAR, KING OF THE NORTHMEN OF ALL IRELAND AND BRITAIN, ENDED HIS LIFE." HE HAD CONQUERED MERCIA AND EAST ANGLIA. HE HAD CAPTURED THE MAJOR STRONGHOLD OF THE KINGDOM OF STRATHCLYDE, DUMBARTON. LADEN WITH LOOT AND SEEMINGLY INVINCIBLE HE SETTLED IN DUBLIN, AND DIED THERE PEACEFULLY TWO YEARS LATER. THE PIOUS CHRONICLERS REPORT THE HE "SLEPT IN CHRIST." THUS IT MAY BE THAT HE HAD THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS". One can see reader from Winston Churchill's writings how ghastly were the birth pangs of the British Isles, when its people under 10 kingdoms were being moulded into "one kingdom".

Churchill adds another piece of information to the Viking story and says, -After Ivar had gone to Dublin. "IN 870 THE VIKINGS BEGAN THEIR MONUMENTAL STRUGGLE WITH ALFRED FOR THE KINGDOM OF WESSEX AND THE SOUL OF ENGLAND. IVAR HAD DISAPPEARED FROM ENGLISH HISTORY BEFORE THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. HE LEFT ENGLAND FOR IRELAND AND DIED IN 872. BUT DEATH DID NOT FREE ENGLAND OF HIS FEARSOME SPIRIT. INSTEAD OF HER ENEMY HE BECAME HER PROTECTOR. ACCORDING TO LEGEND IVAR HAD ORDERED HIS BODY TO BE BURIED IN A MOUND ON THE ENGLISH SHORE, DECLARING THAT SO LONG AS HIS BODY GUARDED THE COASTLINE NO ENEMY COULD LAND THERE. THIS PROPHECY HELD TRUE, SAYS THE SAGA, UNTIL "WHEN VILHJALM BASTARD (William the conqueror) CAME ASHORE HE WENT THERE AND BROKE IVAR'S MOUND AND SAW THAT HIS BODY HAD NOT DECAYED. THEN HE HAD A LARGE PYRE MADE AND IVAR BURNED ON IT. THERE UPON HE LANDED AND GOT VICTORY". When verse 25 of Daniel 11 gives the 3 monumental words "STIR", "POWER", and "COURAGE", to fulfil this part of prophecy, it was indeed carried through to the full when Ivar the Northmen came down upon the shores of England, "STIRRED" by the death of his father in a pit of snakes. Ivar's "POWER" became paramount, being the mastermind behind the command and planning of the Viking campaigns. His "COURAGE" came to the forefront of his brothers, He carried all before him dauntless at meeting any danger, until He had satisfied the need to revenge his father's death. Though cruel, he had a bravery, boldness and daring which is the act of "COURAGE".

Let us go now to the next line of Daniel 11:25. "AND THE KING OF THE SOUTH SHALL BE STIRRED UP TO BATTLE WITH A VERY GREAT AND MIGHTY ARMY"; As I said earlier on, we have in verses 25,26,27 the ebb and flow of the story of England under the "House of Wessex" and the eternal battles fought with the Vikings over the period of 250 years. The first line of verse 25 gives us the "reason" for this immense "STIRRING", of "why" the Northmen came down upon England with such ferocity at a given time in history, though they had been reckless upon British shores from Roman times. Secular history however says of them, that the entry of the Norsemen into England brought with it -as it were,- an infusion of new blood into the "Isles", it changed the character of its mix of peoples. The Saxons did the same thing when they first entered the "Isles" against the Celts, -or ancient Britons. Now it was the turn of the Saxon cousins of the Vikings, to stir the blood of the Anglo-Saxon English Because these Vikings played an enormous part in history whether in the Isles, Europe, or even the then unknown parts of the world. They were bold, fierce, wanderers to all these shores. History goes on to say, that it is a mistake to think of the Vikings just as savage killers, their lot was to live in a savage hostile climate of snow and raging seas, which no doubt helped to mould their wild natures. They had an inborn great love of adventure and freedom, they were open minded and adaptable. Otherwise, secular history would not have recorded their quickness in spirit at receiving Rome's form of Christianity.

The story of the Danish Norseman King Canute shows how he changed his nature in a few years from a savage rover to an astute diplomatic King. All the forces of nature were as giant gods to them and because of their understanding of the mysteries of life, they were very conscious of the universe around them, such was the part played by a Vikings inner being.

We have now in the second line of Daniel 11:25 the Vikings role in history after attaining the Kingdoms of East Anglia, Northumbria, and part Mercia. They took these kingdoms gradually whilst working their way south, to another rich kingdom, which was the most important seat of England, namely Wessex and Kent. This West Saxon line of Wessex was the oldest line of Kings in Europe. This "GREAT ARMY" of the Danes after fighting and subduing Northern England, were made ready for the subduing of the southern King and in his kingdom, his name was "King Alfred the Great." Let us look into King Alfred's lineage and power of ruling. His father was King Ethelwulf who, before his death, saw the Viking invasion as a punishment from God for the sins of his people. So, his attempts to scourge them were through pious hopes, prayers and pilgrimages to Rome. The southern block of kingdoms, -once individually ruled by other kings,- was overthrown by Alfred's grandfather. The "southern bloc" then became Wessex, Mercia and a union with Kent. It was this strong bloc of kingdoms, less a good part of Mercia, which was now under Alfred's control, Wessex of course was the leading kingdom of England at this time. This strong bond of kingdoms was about to counter a strong invasion from the Viking Northern army.

The cities within these southern kingdom's borders at that time were, Canterbury, Rochester, Dorchester, also London, which latter place was not then a city only a town, and it was on its outskirts, namely Berkshire, that the West Saxons under Alfred's brother Ethelred, met the Danes coming out of London at a battle called "Ashdown". The fateful year was 871 AD so what we have here is yet another Viking leader coming against Ethelred and Alfred.

The first line of verse 25 of Daniel, gave us a GREAT Danish army organised by Ivar the "Boneless" in 865 AD, smashing with fury into Northern England, who then died in Ireland in 872 AD only 7 years later. So, while "Ivar" was still alive in 871 AD in Ireland, a huge restless army of Danes which were in the North of England, moved forward like the roaring seas from which they came. Amongst them were many Kings and Chieftains all of them looking for their place in the sun, with its glory. The Danes were strongly reinforced with their "summer army" from overseas, again and again, all eager to fight against the army of the West Saxons. That "Battle of Ashdown" in Berkshire, has gone down in history as very important indeed. Leaving a treasured memory to the Saxon writers, noting also it was to be Alfred's first battle. Though Alfred and his brother Ethelred had marched against "Ivar the Boneless" before, when the King of Mercia called for help, -all through the year 871, the 2 GREAT ARMIES of Dane and Saxon waged a deadly war against each other. Battle after battle were reorganised and fought out, the Danes refusing to parley with the Saxons. Ethelred I died during 871 and Alfred succeeded him inheriting this terrible situation whereby battles ebbed and flowed continually month after month, with Danish reinforcements appearing on the horizon innumerable times pouring in like flies from the North. King Alfred's people were war weary, continually mourning their innumerable dead. Many of the fighting men had deserted the southern army, so there was nothing left for King Alfred but to come to peace terms with the Vikings. He payed Danegeld, -or a large amount of money,- for them to leave their land. The Danish army took their time however leaving the southern lands, showing many scars of battle and a mass of corpses. They slowly receded to the North and into Mercia in the Midlands but still holding their grip on the town of London, however. The Danes subdued the Kingdom of Mercia and expelled their king from the land, - who died in Rome.- The people were in complete submission under their rule. King Alfred in the south needed 5 years of peace to consolidate his power to re- organise his Kingdom and his army and put fighting spirit back into his people. The "great heathen army of the Danes", -as the historian of the day called them,- now began to put down roots, some of the men wished to settle the land, and some men were for subduing the whole of England.

The Vikings went on to wreak havoc in Strathclyde further north in Scotland and carried off their farm implements and livestock. Then half the men settled themselves North in Northumbria and East Anglia. Though their loyalty was still to the "GREAT ARMY" which brought them to England in the first place.

They brought into England their families from the Scandinavian countries from which they had come and no doubt dispossessed the Saxons from their farms and lands to accommodate them. These Danes -or- Vikings now became the "new colonists" with a new blood line entering into the "Isles" intermingling with Saxon and British, resulting eventually into one nation. So, during this uneasy breathing space of 5 years the Vikings and King Alfred consolidated their own power, Alfred always waiting for that next onslaught of these men from the Northlands and their long boats from the sea. He was not to be disappointed, for soon a new war leader appeared, this time that "He" of Daniel's prophecy was Guthrum, who had come to England previously with "Ivar the Boneless" in 865 AD.

This new war- leader had formed another large army and marched south to overwhelm King Alfred's kingdom of Wessex in 877 AD. The Vikings fortified themselves and attacked the Kingdom by raids from land and sea upon every part. King Alfred at this stage in the fighting decided to sue for peace, offering the usual price for that peace, -Danegeld- the Danes swearing an oath that they would leave, yet! They immediately took Exeter and its fortress, which made it very difficult indeed for any to unseat them.

The Lord God in His wisdom fought a pincer movement for King Alfred and sent a terrible hurricane to smite the Viking army of men that were at sea, who were waiting either to join in the fight, or to make their escape by sea. History records that 120 ships were sunk with the loss of more than 5,000 men. With that great loss the Vikings who had carefully laid plans to conquer King Alfred and his SOUTHERN KINGDOM, was destroyed along with men and ships.

Here we pause for a moment from secular history and remember scriptural history and what Daniel has to say about this in prophecy in verse 25 "AND THE KING OF THE SOUTH SHALL BE STIRRED UP TO BATTLE WITH A VERY GREAT AND MIGHTY ARMY".

When reading about these fearful days of the Vikings, devastating the people and the kingdoms of the "Isles", we can see immediately "why" Scripture says, -"Alfred as King with his army, was "STIRRED" UP TO BATTLE", because he was fighting for the very life blood of this renewing nation and upon his shoulders rested the Saxon dream of a United Kingdom. King Alfred was just one strong man with a forceful mind and a determination against a fearful fighting people, he was trying to hold together a fighting spirit in his own badly mauled people. These dark times needed the "STIRRING" of his fighting blood and the stirring of his faith in God's help, which he got!

Verse 25 puts much emphasis on the nature of Alfred's army, for it is called "VERY GREAT" and a "MIGHTY ARMY". When the word "MIGHTY" is used, it means to have great power and dominion, it's a display of strength and force. Daniel's verse cleverly disguises the "MIGHTY ARMY" which served Alfred at this battle, because it was to be God's power, who sent his servants and ministers of his army to bring "in" that storm upon the Vikings, which "MIGHTY" power no earthly man could counter at all! If reader, you are sceptical about this reasoning or think that a hurricane was a fluke of nature, you had better "think" again. Many times, secular history has recorded weather events like this at that precise moment it was needed. Another example that springs to mind of the same nature, was when the Spanish Armada -during the time of Elizabeth I,- sailed up the English Channel to smash the power of Britain, only to have its own ships smashed to pieces in a violent storm, after a battle with Sir Francis Drake and the British ships. This storm too destroyed many Spanish ships and took many men's lives. Elizabeth was astute enough to acknowledge God's hand in her delivery and had a medal struck to remember, "God blew that storm".

Another storm at sea blew Harold of Hastings onto the shores of Normandy, to fulfil his prophecy in Daniel 11:27.

In Daniel 10:13 God's ministers of angels fought "for -or- against" Persia and Babylon, thus interfering with man's will and plans. These happenings making sure prophetic history is carried out to the letter. So, it was with King Alfred and the Viking ships.

Let us go to the last line of Daniel 11:25. "BUT HE SHALL NOT STAND; FOR THEY SHALL FORECAST DEVICES AGAINST HIM". The "He" in this last line is still the same "He" of the first line of the verse, though they were 2 different men, representing the Vikings, towards the close of this time zone in history. The prophecy started with "Ivar the Boneless" as the "He" and finishes with one of the chieftains from "Ivars" army, namely Guthrum. -Who became King of East Anglia, 880-890 AD. Guthrum fulfils the "He" at the end of this verse. So, when Daniel goes on to say, "He", Guthrum of the Vikings "SHALL NOT STAND, Daniel is predicting that the persistence of this "He" to take all the Isles will be overcome. This King shall "NOT STAND" means:- "He" is to be upon the feet in an upright position, to stop and pause, to maintain a fixed attitude, "He" will not persevere, persist and insist, etc; as "He" did before.

Once more the Vikings and Alfred came to peace terms and an oath was sworn during the summer of 877 AD, which was kept for a number of months.

The Saxons under King Alfred were celebrating a feast of the church, -whether they were drunk, -or- piously engaged in their churchly duties history is not clear. But, they were suddenly attacked by a fierce force of Vikings from the North, killing many Saxons and overrunning the Southern kingdom. Many of the Saxon men escaped to France, King Alfred and a few of his officers and men, hid themselves in the forest and marshes of Somerset, thus living off whatever they could. The Danes seemed assured they had captured the Southern Kingdom, which was now in their hands and overrun and its people subdued.

The crews of many Danish ships now sailed into Wales and caused many atrocities, then sailed again to Devon to attack Alfred's stronghold at Exmoor but were attacked unexpectedly by the Saxons at daybreak. Alfred and his men had been secretly raising an army for such a purpose. Alfred's men killed approx; 800 Viking men and a King, the rest of the Viking sailors escaped to their long boats. When the rest of the Saxon people heard that their King Alfred was alive and still able to call his fighting men together, they were jubilant. A widespread fighting spirit infused throughout the people giving them new life and a very great army of people and troops, rose up upon their feet calling all fighting men together. They came running from all over the strongholds including Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire and massing as "A VERY GREAT AND MIGHTY ARMY" as Daniel prophesied on the Downs. They faced the Danes defiantly, this was to be the largest of all Alfred's battles against these Vikings. The "Great battle of Edington" was fought and after many bloody hours with slashing swords, the crunch of axes and the noise of clashing shields, the great Northern army of the Viking under King Guthrum was hard pressed and put to flight, they were in great despair and begged for peace. Though King Alfred had the Vikings at his mercy and could have killed them all to the last man, he chose instead to come to terms with King Guthrum, wishing that they all live in peace, dividing the land between them. We see reader, that King Guthrum of the Vikings did not "STAND", -as Daniel predicted, "He" did not become the King of the south and of the North, as the thought. Which now brings us to the last line off verse 25:- "FOR THEY SHALL FORECAST DEVICES AGAINST HIM". Let us now remember the translations of the words "forecast" and "devices", which we have already read and understood seen with the British and Augustine of the Roman church, in verse 24. "FORECAST" means; to scheme beforehand, to estimate what will happen, etc; "DEVICES" means, that which is devised and formed, a contrivance invented, a scheme, etc; The "DEVICES" that the Saxons used against their enemies were the same "DEVICES" that were used by the Roman church in verse 24. All these people including King Alfred owed their allegiance to Rome, who lived according to Roman practises. The Saxons "DEVICES" were that they carried crosses and holy relics to aid them. They called upon Saints and martyrs, swore oaths with great solemnity, which was sworn upon a Holy Ring etc; The Viking's emblem "DEVICE", -apart from their Northern gods- was captured by the Saxons as spoils, which was a Viking banner, or flag.

An exert from the "History of the English Speaking People" by Winston Churchill) says:- "EIGHT HUNDRED DANES WERE KILLED, AND THE SPOILS OF VICTORY INCLUDED AN ENCHANTED BANNER CALLED THE RAVEN, OF WHICH IT WAS SAID, THAT THE THREE DAUGHTERS OF LODBROK, ("Ivar the Boneless" father) HAD WOVEN IT IN A SINGLE DAY, AND THAT IN EVERY BATTLE IN WHICH THAT BANNER WENT BEFORE THEM, THE RAVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESIGN SEEMED TO FLUTTER AS THOUGH IT WERE ALIVE, IF THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE THE VICTORY. ON THIS OCCASION IT DID NOT FLUTTER, BUT HUNG LISTLESSLY IN ITS SILKEN FOLDS. THE EVENT PROVED IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE DANES TO WIN UNDER THESE CONDITIONS". Though this exert of Churchill's is referring to King Alfred's former battle with the Vikings, one can see from it the superstitions used was on both sides with their "DEVICES". King Alfred used also another "DEVICE" which he offered to his enemies, that of mass conversion to the Roman church in baptism. This, was his "FORECAST" or scheme for them beforehand if he should win, seen in verse 25 of Daniel 11. No doubt in Alfred's pious prayers to God he estimated or provided against failure in battle -or- success, so, "mass baptism" he "FORECAST" would happen to the vanquished. After the great battle, each man of the remaining great Viking army, had to enter the waters of baptism to make them Christians, after the manner of the Saxons in that land of the British Isles.

King Guthrum then returning to East Anglia and converted to Roman Christianity, settled in the land. Though an uneasy peace remained between settled Viking and Saxon and from time to time many quarrels broke out, no doubt the Saxon remembering the great cruelty of these people! Nevertheless, the peace held and King Alfred strengthened his realm.

During the times that lay ahead King Alfred restored London to the English, after heavy fighting in 886 AD, then set about restoring its walls and its defences. He also took it upon himself to reorganise the ships at sea, remodelling them, or building larger vessels, which history says was the beginning of the British navy. The books of laws were brought into being if only to stop the killings between both Dane and English that took place. The "Dane law" -or- the organisation, which was of that army, -also was practised.

In the years to follow a last war was to be fought once more by Alfred with the Saxons against the Vikings.

It was in 885 AD that the Vikings had rowed hundreds of longboats up the Seine River into France, taking with them an army of 40,000 men, with every "DEVICE" capable to fight war and for 6 long terrible years they ravaged France bringing it to its knees.

Then the Vikings turned their attention across the Channel and to the "Isles" for plunder and food and with the promise of yet more killings.

-The Viking King Guthrum of East Anglia, who had made peace with Alfred in earlier years, had died and the "DEVICE of the oath" sworn between them then ended. In 892 AD the storm broke on England's shores once more, in the guise of a fleet of 250 ships, carrying this "Great Heathen Army", which the chroniclers of old called them. From France came 80 more ships which sailed up the Thames and Kent was attacked from both sides. Now the Mercians and Saxons stood together to face their fearful enemy once more in fortified towns. Their allegiance was given to King Alfred, his son Edward also led his father's armies and from the Mercian Kingdom came Ethelred, Alfred's son-in-law. King Alfred first used his "DEVICES" against the Vikings offering them peace terms with oaths, money,and baptism. All seemed to fall on deaf ears however, when the "oaths" on their terms were first excepted, only to be broken immediately, with the Danes killing mercilessly. The Saxon army now led by the 2 princes routed them and chased them into the Thames. The Danes however had fortified themselves near London from where they went forth into the countryside to pillage and plunder. But again, King Alfred's army led by the 2 princes took their strongholds and the remains of the Danish army was put to flight. Their women and children, which had accompanied them and their plunder was also taken, their Viking ships were broken and set on fire. Amongst these women and children was the Viking king's wife and 2 sons. The 2 sons were taken by Alfred to be baptised Christians. Alfred's "DEVICE", then he returned them to King Haesten their father.

Though the war continued for a while it gradually declined until in 896 AD and peace at last prevailed. King Alfred was to die in 899 AD who has gone down in history as "The Great", because he alone sustained the English through terrible times and built up the might of British history.

Though these Saxons were once feared by the ancient Britons, they in turn had feared the Vikings. Now gradually all these peoples were being forged into one nation towards a United Kingdom.

Before we finish Daniel 11:25, the word "THEY" in this last line must be duly acknowledged, which verse says:- "FOR "THEY" SHALL FORECAST DEVICES AGAINST HIM". The prophetic verse through those years has gradually altered from the Great king of the SOUTH, to "THEY" who are to fight the King of the North. It becomes more than one person now, apart from King Alfred in rulership, who have become "heads" with the same "mind" and "purpose" as the King of the Saxon South. This word "THEY" now partners itself with Daniel 11:26, this is to show that it is a continuing story over that period of 250 years of Viking terror on the "Isles". In fact, verse 25 and 26, should have remained as one verse covering this period of history.