Alfred was very much pleased with what he saw of Asser at this interview, and proposed to him to leave his preferments in Wales, which were numerous and important, and come into his kingdom, and he would give him greater preferments there.

Asser hesitated.

Alfred then proposed to him to spend six months every year in England, and the remaining six in Wales.

Asser said that he could not give an answer even to this proposal till he had returned home and consulted with the monks and other clergy under his charge there.

He would, however, he said, at least come back and see Alfred again within the next six months, and give him his final answer.