History of King Alfred of England

History of King Alfred of England - (Illustrated - Annotated) "Alfred the Great figures in history as the founder, in some sense, of the British monarchy. Of that long succession of sovereigns who have held the scepter of that monarchy, and whose government has exerted so vast an influence on the condition and welfare of mankind, he was not, indeed, actually the first. There were several lines of insignificant princes before him, who governed such portions of the kingdom as they individually possessed, more like semi-savage chieftains than English kings. Alfred followed these by the principle of hereditary right, and spent his life in laying broad and deep the foundations on which the enormous superstructure of the British empire has since been reared. "... (Jacob Abbott) CONTENTS. Chapter I. The Britons II. The Anglo-Saxons III. The Danes IV. Alfred's Early Years V. The State of England VI. Alfred's Accession to the Throne VII. Reverses VIII. The Seclusion IX. Reassembling of the Army X. The Victory over the Danes XI. The Reign XII. The Close of Life XIII. The Sequel ILLUSTRATIONS Wall of Severus Saxon Military Chief The Sea Kings Lothbroc and his Falcon Ancient Coronation Chair The First British Fleet Alfred Watching the Cakes Portrait of Alfred Hastings Besieged in the Church