The Story of King Alfred

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Appleton, 1901 - 187 pages

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Page 156 - England that there were very few on this side of the Humber who could understand their rituals in English or translate a letter from Latin into English ; and I believe there were not many beyond the Humber. There were so few of them that I cannot remember a single one south of the Thames when I came to the Throne.
Page 145 - Keep ye the Law — be swift in all obedience — Clear the land of evil, drive the road and bridge the ford. Make ye sure to each his own That he reap where he hath sown ; By the peace among Our peoples let men know we serve the Lord!
Page 174 - On a certain day we were both of us sitting in the king's chamber, talking on all kinds of subjects, as usual, and it happened that I read to him a quotation out of a certain book. He heard it attentively with both his ears, and addressed me with a thoughtful mind, showing me at the same moment a book which he carried in his bosom, wherein the daily courses and psalms, and prayers which he had read in his youth, were written, and he commanded me to write the same quotation in that book.
Page 158 - ... if we have tranquillity enough, that is, that all the youth now in England of free men, who are rich enough to be able to devote themselves to it, be set to learn as long as they are not fit for any other occupation, until that they are well able to read English writing : and let those be afterwards taught more in the Latin language who are to continue learning and be promoted to a higher rank.
Page 54 - He was loved by his father and mother, and even by all the people, above all his brothers, and was educated altogether at the court of the king. As he advanced through the years of infancy and youth, his form appeared more comely than that of his brothers; in look, in speech, and in manners he was more graceful than they. His noble nature implanted in him from his cradle a love of wisdom above all things...
Page 108 - Aller, near Athelney, and there king Alfred, receiving him as his son by adoption, raised him up from the holy laver of baptism on the eighth day, at a royal villa named Wedmore,* where the holy chrism was poured upon him.f After his baptism he remained twelve nights with the king, who, with all his nobles, gave him many fine houses.
Page 87 - The pagans had divided themselves into two bodies, and began to prepare defences, for they had two kings and many earls, so they gave the middle part of the army to the two kings, and the other part to all their earls. Which the Christians perceiving, divided their army also into two troops, and also began to construct defences.
Page 153 - But those things which I met with, either of the days of Ine, my kinsman, or of Offa, King of the Mercians, or of JEthelbryht, who first among the English race received baptism, those which seemed to me the Tightest, those I have gathered together, and rejected the others.
Page 88 - Around this tree the opposing armies came together with loud shouts from all sides, the one party to pursue their wicked course, the other to fight for their lives, their dearest ties, and their country. And when both armies had fought long and bravely, at last the Pagans, by the divine judgment, were no longer able to bear the attacks of the Christians, and having lost great part of their army, took to a disgraceful flight. One of their two kings and five earls were there slain, together with many...
Page 85 - West-Saxons, came to the royal city, called Reading, situated on the south bank of the Thames, in the district called Berkshire ; and there, on the third day after their arrival, their earls, with great part of the army, scoured the country for plunder...

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