while ?thelwulf was on pilgrimage to Rome in 855. ?thelwulf was a wise and capable ruler, whose vision made possible the beneficial reign of his youngest son, Alfred the Great. ?THELBALD (855-8 (subking), 858-60) While his father, ?thelwulf, was on pilgrimage to Rome in 855, ?thelbald plotted with the Bishop of Sherbourne and the ealdorman of Somerset against him. The specific details of the plot gambling internet issue social 'Alfred attacked the whole pagan army fighting ferociously in dense order, and by divine will eventually won the victory, made great slaughter among them, and pursued them to their fortress (Chippenham) ... After fourteen days the pagans were brought to the extreme depths of despair by hunger, cold and fear, and they sought peace'. This unexpected victory proved to be the turning point in Wessex's battle for survival. gambling internet issue social Eadwig, in his short reign, was generous in making grants to the church and other religious institutions. He died, possibly of the Wessex family ailment, when he was only 20. EDGAR (959-975) Edgar, king in Mercia and the Danelaw from 957, succeeded his brother as king of the English on Edwy's death in 959 - a death which probably prevented civil war breaking out between the two brothers. Edgar was a firm and capable ruler whose power was acknowledged by other rulers in Britain, as well as by Welsh and Scottish kings. Edgar's