King Alfred the Great

King Alfred the Great (849 - 899) was the King of Wessex from 871 - 899, and is the subject of the book that bears his name. He is its main character. The introduction is a summary of what historians know about his life, character, beliefs and achievements. The chapters also all concern him; Chapter 2 is Asser's Life of King Alfred which exclusively deals with events about King Alfred or that were of important that occurred under his reign. Chapter 3 contains a series of translations of documents that Alfred was involved with or did himself and Chapter 4 contains various extracts from contracts, treaties, etc. that Alfred was party to in one respect or another.

By all accounts, King Alfred was a man of extraordinary character for his day. Most kingdoms in the medieval periods was more or less ruled by glorified chieftains. Kings generally ruled over very small areas...