ALFRED (849-901)
Alfred
was the greatest and noblest Anglo-Saxon king. He was the first Englishman who
encouraged the making of English prose. No English king ever did more for his
people than he.
Alfred
was born at Wantage in Berkshire in 849. His early years as a king were spent
in fighting hard against Danes. Finally, he drove back Danes from England and
established peace. He founded a monastery at Athelney. He was pioneer of
popular education.
It
was Alfred who began the writing of prose in Wessex. First of all, he put the Vernacular
to systematic use. During his reign the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle came into
existence. It is the greatest monument of Old English prose. During Alfred’s
reign the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle was transformed into a national history
under his guidance.
Alfred
was a translator. He rendered into English Pastoral Care of Pope
Gregory, Orosius, Bede’s The Ecclesiastical History, Boethius’ Consolation
of Philosophy and St. Augustine’s Soliloquies. His
prose style is for the most part simple and straight forward. He had the rare
merit of clarity in his writing.
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