ALFRED THE GREAT (871-899)

Until Alfred’s death in 899,
His influence was wholly benign.
He translated Bede’s massive History
Into Anglo-Saxon, a mystery
How he found the time. Apart from its length,
He had to learn Latin, from scratch. His strength,
As a scholar, was his dedication
To literature and education.
He himself wrote books on theology,
On history, warfare and geography.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle was his
(At least, he commissioned it) and it’s this
That marks him out. He exhorted others –
A lesson learnt from his elder brothers –
To harness their energies, pull their weight,
And use their talents to make Wessex great.

Nor were Saxon defences neglected.
Men this side of Danelaw were expected
To help construct forts. A navy was built,
And London garrisoned up to the hilt.

All down to Alfred. Aged fifty, he died.
What of his character? The man ‘inside’?
We’ll never know, but I’d hazard a guess:
Great in a crisis, good under stress,
Led from the front, but nevertheless
Sensitive, modest and shy of success.

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