Books written by alfred the great

Alfred the great was the monarch of england from 871 to 899. Remarkably, alfred undoubtedly with the advice and aid of his court scholars translated four works himself. The most famous poet of the victorian age, he was a profound spokesman for the ideas and values of his times. The importance of king alfred to english literature all empires. From alfred to eadgar ii 8711074 by donald henson from anglosaxon books. Top 10 best alfred tennyson books alfred tennyson written works. The most famous king of the anglosaxons was alfred the great. The whole works of king alfred the great, with preliminary. A history of the british monarchysaxon rulersalfred the great. Alfred, also spelled aelfred, byname alfred the great, born 849died 899, king of wessex 871899, a saxon kingdom in southwestern england.

He was called king of the english, the first to take that title. Very well written book about alfred the great, a remarkable medieval king. Novels about some of alfreds children have been written, but i have not included these unless it is felt that alfreds appearance or mention makes it worthwhile. A true anglosaxon hero and role model that history buffs and genealogical researchers will thrill over. Im about half way through and its a great read with lots of information id not picked up in previous reads on this topic. This work contains much valuable information, and it reveals that alfred laboured throughout under the burden of recurrent, painful illness. Written over one hundred years ago by historian beatrice lees, i would recommend this only for those seriously interested in alfreds life and literary works. The anglosaxon chronicle, commissioned at the time of alfred, was probably written to promote unification of england, whereas assers the life of king alfred promoted alfreds achievements and personal qualities.

Historical fiction on alfred the great fuzzy history. Search the worlds most comprehensive index of fulltext books. Alfred the great and his times by alf johnson mapp. He was also a man of such great piety that he was made into a saint by the angloorthodox church. Having great in his name should give you a hint that he was important to their history. Writing was not something admired by the warrior world into which he had been born. Alfred the great is a wonderful book about the late ninth century king who saved wessex the last standing anglosaxon kingdom in britain from viking rule. Novels about king alfred continue to be written, as new titles are discovered they will be added to the list. Alfred the great questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on alfred the great. Recently, ive been reading bernard cornwells warrior chronicles, which is a series of historical fiction novels set in anglosaxon england during the reign of alfred the great. There are a few bw photographs that add to the experience and the map, though spread across a page crack, is useful as well. This story, which occurs some five years after the events described in lords of the north, tells how alfreds forces evict the danes from london. I find alfred to be a really interesting character in the novels and now i want to read some nonfiction on his life. A tale of the danish invasion in the reign of king alfred the great, by annie l.

There are reasons for that and these reasons lie not only in his campaigns against the vikings and the establishing of the navy but also much deeper, in the reforms alfred passed in his lands that enabled the populace to educate themselves. List of books and articles about alfred lord tennyson. Assers life of king alfred, written in 893, is a revealing account of one of the greatest of medieval kings. Kurtz1 called king alfred the greatest and noblest of all the monarchs england has ever had. Barbara yorke considers the reputation of king alfred the great, and the enduring cult around his life and legend. One story says that alfred went to rome at the age of four to meet.

Mostly 19th century, particularly around the time of the millenary celebration. Alfred once declared it his intention to live worthily as long as i live and after my life to leave to them that should come after, my memory in good works. Alfred, alone of anglosaxon kings, inspired a fulllength biography, written in 893, by the welsh scholar asser. Gee, published by the society for the promotion of christian knowledge spck in 1900. Several works were translated from latin into old english around this period, and some translations were even credited to alfred himself. The law code of king alfred the great is the largest and best preserved piece of legal documentation made prior to the norman conquest of 1066 1, and the first surviving anglosaxon law code since ines, nearly two centuries earlier 2, making it an essential document in the study of late anglosaxon law, culture and society. He reformed the courts, created schools for the young and translated the bible and other books from latin into english. The text carefully lays out what is actually known about alfred from contemporary documents. A lot of what we know about alfred the great comes from stories that have been written about him. With preliminary essays, illustrative of the history, arts, and manners, of the ninth century, volume 1 alfred king of england on. Regarding additional historical novels that depict alfred the great, see the reading list below. Use the resources available in find books to locate copies of the novels below. See all books authored by alfred the great, including king alfred s version of the consolations of boethius. Alfred the great books list of books by author alfred the great.

Jan 20, 2008 king alfred is the only king in english history to be deemed worthy of the title of the great. Done into modern english, and anglosaxon chronicle, and more on. To do this, an old english translation of a work on leadership by pope gregory the great was sent to different centres, along with a pointer worth 50 gold coins. Many stories were written about alfred that showed his smarts and humanness. Alfred is often remembered as one of englands greatest anglosaxon rulers. He is remembered as a national hero because of his achievements, not his position or what he looked like. The whole works of king alfred the great, with preliminary essays, illustrative of the history, arts, and manners, of the ninth century. Why was alfred the great one of only two kings named great. These sources include the biography written of him by bishop asser, the relevant portions of the anglosaxon chronicle, translation of key religious works translated into old english by alfred the great himself, and finally various legal documents authored by him. This is a great book to get hold of if you are interested in the anglosaxons or early medieval history. See all books authored by alfred the great, including king alfreds version of the consolations of boethius. Alfred the great books list of books by author alfred. When he was four years old, according to a story which has been re. Assers life of king alfred and other contemporary sources.

Alfred the great, containing chapters on his life and times by alfred bowker editor edward the elder, 899924 by n. Then the evil woman was excited, and spoke to the king with an angry mind. Alfred music supports music education by providing quality method books, performance sheet music, and reference materials for teachers and students. Appears in 21 books from 18211901 page 163 she knew not then that he was the king. Justin pollards enthralling, authoritative account befits alfred a soldier, a scholar and statesman like no other in english history. Download and read online for free ebooks written by alfred. The book evokes the time in which alfred lived, and the roles that he played in shaping the future of what was to become england. The author of this informative book, justin pollard, is a joy to read. With preliminary essays, illustrative of the history, arts, and manners, of the ninth century, alfred king of england.

Ive read a few books on the life of alfred the great, and so far, this is my favorite. The whole works of king alfred the great, with preliminary essays, illustrative of the history, arts, and manners, of the ninth century by alfred, king of england, 849899. Page 376 i have carefully and regularly perused these holy scriptures, and am of opinion, that the volume, independently of its divine origin, contains more. Alfred, also spelled aelfred, byname alfred the great, born 849died 899, king of. In 1961 the great historical novelist alfred duggan wrote the right line of cerdic although all of duggans books are brilliant, all of them have absolutely crappy titles, an engrossing and stirring novel about alfred. A great consolidation of all the information available about alfred the great. Biographies of alfred the great continue to be written. Jul 15, 2008 there is an interesting discussion taking place on historical fiction online regarding cornwells characterization of alfred. He may have earned this title in part by defending his kingdom against the vikings and for his efforts in improving education. Main article primary sources 1 douglas woodruff, alfred the great 1974 as soon as alfred had the combined forces at his disposal, he set out towards chippenham. Free ebooks written by alfred, king of england, 849899.

Alfred the great poems by the famous poet all poetry. It was possible that the document was designed this way so that it could be disseminated in wales, as alfred had recently acquired. The book evokes the time in which alfred lived, and the roles that he played in. He is the bestknown anglo saxon king in british history thanks to his biographer asser died c.

Alfred is the only english king ever to be called great. Alfred therefore gained control of areas of west mercia and kent which had been beyond the boundaries of wessex. This comprehensive collection includes assers life of alfred, extracts from the anglosaxon chronicle, and alfred s own writings, laws, and will. Mar 23, 2019 alfred the great was the first king of the anglosaxons and one of only two english rulers to have been given the epithet the great. Aug 20, 2015 19 of the best books written by supersuccessful ceos. No other ruler in englands long and varied history has been honored with the title the great. Lee in 1892, the famous german church historian rev. Vivid narratives about alfreds deeds are provided in sources such as the earliest versions of the anglosaxon chronicle and a life of alfred written by asser at the west saxon. In his translations, he sometimes inserted comments that offer insight not only into the books but into his own mind. The book engages with current discussions about the authenticity of attributions to alfred of works such as the old english boethius and. He prevented england from falling to the danes and promoted learning and literacy.

Compilation of the anglosaxon chronicle began during his reign, circa 890. In the days of alfred the great, by eva march tappan 18541930, an american author. Alfred the great discenza major reference works wiley online. The whole works of king alfred the great, with preliminary essays. Abstract alfred the great lived from the late 840s to 899 and was king of wessex 87199. With preliminary essays, illustrative of the history, arts, and manners, of the ninth century, volume 1 the whole works of king alfred the great. Alfred the great translated several works from latin into his own language, anglosaxon, known to us as old english, and wrote some works of his own. The danes met him on the wiltshire downs at ethandune near the village of edington. It is now time to talk about alfreds written english. It was not a title given by political supporters, not the sycophantic gift of an official biographer, nor a selfstyled title.