American History - Parragon - Hardcover - Special Value Book

Alfred is a remarkable figure in the history of England. He is credited with founding the English monarchy, codifying laws, founding the University of Oxford, and inventing the lantern.

I found Abbott's book a bit of a slog. And there is that section on pp 34-36 where he evaluates the Indian, African and Caucasian races in a most discomfiting and cringe-worthy way. He wrote there is no barbarism in the Caucasian race, a statement wrong in 1849, which wrongness was amplified ninety years later with the gruesome infamy of Stalin and Hitler. Ouch.

I have a mental block when it comes to all the Ethels: Ethelstan, Ethelred, Ethelwulf, Ethelbert. Ethel means noble, and the appellation seems similar in style to Pharaoh. But I tend to surrender to confusion.

Much of his life, Alfred was fighting Danes who tried encroaching on Alfred's lands. Abbot writes: The Danes, it is true, might be considered as the aggressors in this contest, and, as such, wholly in the wrong; but then, on the other hand, it was to be remembered that the ancestors of the Saxons had been guilty of precisely the same aggressions upon the Britons, who held the island before them; so that the Danes were, after all, only intruding upon intruders.

The most intriguing story was Alfred's victory over the Dane chieftain, Guthrum. When Guthrum surrendered, Alfred offered him his liberty and friendship if he would leave Alfred's kingdom, vow never to return, give hostages, convert to Christianity and be baptized in the presence of the military leaders on both sides. Alfred stood as his godfather. They feasted together and parted friends. Guthrum kept the promises he made. If that's not a discussion starter...