King Alfred.

Manawatu Herald, 7 November 1899, Page 2

King Alfred.

In England preparations are being made to commemorate the death of Alfred the Great who ruled over England between the years 871 and 901. The history of our country is one of no great interest until this period, as we have the account of the ancient Britons who were divided into tribes, ruled over by their self-appointed chiefs, who passed their time fighting against one another. Then we have the period of the Roman occupation when the south of England being kept in control was fairly safe and contented. The Romans remained in possession for nearly 500 years, but had at last to withdraw to defend their own country. The Picts and Scots, from Scotland, then invaded England, and the most important prince- in England was asked what should be done to get rid of them, and he advised sending for the Saxons from Germany. These men had the reputation of being fon_t of war and they accepted the invitation, and in . time became so pleased with the country that they determined to remain, and after much fighting drove the Britons into Wales. The Saxons formed seven kingdoms, but these also continually fought amongst themselves, when Egbert, King of Wessex, conquered all the rest and made the land into one kingdom under the name of England, this was in the year 824. The Danes next took to invading England and wars ensued, and on Egbert's death his son, Ethelwolf succeeded to the throne. This king had four sons, the fourth being the Alfred whose 1000 th anniversary is about to be celebrated. The elder sons all reigned, but Alfred came to the throne in 87r. He was then only 31 years of age and his first act was to endeavour to drive the Danes away, but big actions were so unsuccessful

that he had to fly to a place called Athelney, in Somersetshire. He here remained fighting the Danes ih guerilla war until he took the field for their complete overthrow in 896 The king founded at Athelney a Benedictine abbey, in expression of his gratitude, for his victories. In the Ashmolean museum there is an amulet of enamel and gold, inscribed with the words, " Alfred caused me to be made," which was found on Athelney in the 17th century.

When Alfred got the kingdom settled he commenced improving the condition of the people. He caused the destroyed towns and monasteries to be rebuilt, promoted trade and cultivation of the land, he fixed the rights and duties of the people, who were divided into earls, freemen, and thralls. By means of the administration of justice, he renewed the old German division into earldoms, shires, and districts, over which he "i — ' and ° ,J - . _..____ earls .. -«vicrmen, who were both the enter administrators of government land presidents of the courts that were jcomposed of citizens and peasants. /He founded churches, he founded IF 1 the schools " at Oxford, and himself translated many works into the popular tongue. Learned men were encouraged to spread the knowledge of geography and mathematics among the people. Though learned in the arts of peace he proved himself a great general, and to him may be credited the first fleet of Britain as to withstand the assault of the Danes and to prevent their invasions, he had a fleet of galleys bniit in 897. King Alfred, history relates, was a model of morality and order in his manner of life, and he ilso accustomed his people to domestic ] •trtues and regular activity. The old story of King Alfred and the cakes nearly every schoolboy knows, but it has the advantage of being true, and the King being in biding and disguise at the time had -to accept the angry woman's smacks, or otherwise he would have been discovered. He also undertook a very daring deed for the good of his country, and it illustrates how thoroughly he he did his work, when he went into the camp of the Danes attired as a wandering harper, on purpose to discover the strength and position of his enemies. As the strength of Great Britain to-day also lays in her navy it seems but fitting that the founder of it should be remembered even though he lived iooo years ago.