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Great Britain -- History -- Alfred, 871-899 Books
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Charles Plummer
The Life and Times of Alfred the Great Being the Ford lectures for 1901
"The Life and Times of Alfred the Great" by Charles Plummer is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work presents a detailed examination of the life and legacy of King Alfred the Great, highlighting his contributions as a military leader, administrator, and promoter of education in a time of Viking invasions. Plummer’s account aims to clarify misconceptions about Alfred's character and actions while presenting a comprehensive view of his historical context. At the start of the text, the author introduces the lectures and expresses gratitude to historical figures who influenced his work. Plummer outlines his goal to address the existing confusions and oversimplifications surrounding King Alfred by critically surveying the sources available. He emphasizes the challenges historians face when interpreting the limited and often incomplete historical records about Alfred and remarks on the importance of a careful and nuanced understanding of this pivotal figure in English history. Through a methodical approach, Plummer sets the stage for a deep dive into Alfred's campaigns, governance, cultural contributions, and lasting impact on England.
John Earle
The Alfred Jewel: An Historical Essay
"The Alfred Jewel: An Historical Essay" by John Earle is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work centers around the Alfred Jewel, an ornate piece with historical significance that is directly linked to Alfred of Wessex, a notable king in Anglo-Saxon Britain. The essay aims to explore the jewel's craftsmanship, historical context, and its relation to Alfred himself as well as the cultural implications of its design and inscriptions. The opening of the essay introduces readers to the Alfred Jewel, detailing its discovery, physical description, and notable features such as its delicate craftsmanship and the Latin inscription identifying Alfred as the one who ordered its creation. John Earle expresses a personal journey of inquiry that led to the crafting of this essay, explaining how his fascination with the jewel evolved into an academic endeavor. He provides a foundation for discussing the jewel’s significance by outlining its design, purpose, and the various speculations surrounding its meaning in relation to Alfred’s legacy. Earle emphasizes the jewel as a starting point for a deeper examination of Anglo-Saxon art, society, and history, suggesting that further investigation could illuminate more about its role and representation in that era.
Unknown
Alfred the Great : $b containing chapters on his life and times
"Alfred the Great: containing chapters on his life and times" by Alfred Bowker et al. is a historical compendium written in the late 19th century. It assembles essays by prominent scholars, alongside an introduction and a commemorative poem, to portray King Alfred’s life, reign, and legacy across warfare, law, religion, education, culture, and nation-building. The opening of the volume offers a dedication to the Queen and a laudatory poem casting Alfred as a model of wisdom and virtue, followed by the editor’s preface explaining the millennium commemoration, the aim to spread accessible knowledge, and the call for a national memorial in Winchester. Sir Walter Besant’s introduction sketches the fragmented Anglo-Saxon world and character, traces the Danish invasions, and highlights Alfred’s turnaround from Athelney to Ethandune, his restoration of London, creation of a navy, lawmaking grounded in Christian ethics, revival of schools and monasteries, fostering of foreign ties and trade, and the founding of English prose and national spirit. Frederic Harrison then begins by celebrating Alfred as an exemplar among rulers, recounting his stubborn wars, the Peace of Wedmore, the reorganisation of army and fleet, and the strategic elevation of London. The next chapter opens with Alfred’s early years: pilgrimages to Rome, his father Ethelwulf’s devotional gifts to the Roman churches, the cultural context of the Leonine City, his love of vernacular poetry, and the spark for book-learning kindled—after a childhood steeped in hunting and song—by a treasured illuminated book.
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