Example and Exhortation Summary

This section contains several writings which are intended to encourage Christians to learn and read as well as some of the earliest biographies in English. The first piece has excerpts "From the Life of King Alfred." It is a fond memoir of a beloved king, the same one mentioned earlier in "The Battle of Ashdown." As a child, young Alfred is a perfect angel and demonstrates an eager love of learning from a young age. At the Battle of Ashdown, Alfred waits until God prompts him to go into battle, while his brother King Aethelstan prays in a tent. Alfred's army slaughters the pagans with God's help. Alfred goes on to be a pious, wise, and mighty king, and serves England well. He studies throughout his life, and encourages literacy throughout England, even while suffering from a mysterious disease...