Posted on 06/16/2017 5:59:07 AM PDT by rktman
England was invaded by “Dane” Vikings from Scandinavia who destroyed churches, libraries and defeated all opposition except for 23-year-old King Alfred. Forced into the swampy, tidal marshes of Somerset, Alfred, King of the Anglos and Saxons, began a resistance movement in 878 A.D.
According to biographer Bishop Asser, “Alfred attacked the whole pagan army fighting ferociously in dense order, and by divine will eventually won the victory.”
King Alfred’s Law is considered the basis for English Common Law as it contained concepts such as liberty of the individual family and church, a decentralized government and equal justice for all under the law: “Doom very evenly! Do not doom one doom to the rich; another to the poor! Nor doom one doom to your friend; another to your foe!”
Winston Churchill wrote in his Nobel Prize-winning book, “A History of the English Speaking Peoples” (1956, vol. 1): “King Alfred’s Book of Laws … as set out in the existing laws of Kent, Wessex, and Mercia, attempted to blend the Mosaic code with Christian principles and old Germanic customs.”
(Excerpt) Read more at wnd.com ...
NON print version:
http://www.wnd.com/2017/06/america-owes-huge-debt-to-this-medieval-document/?cat_orig=education
My wife and I just started watching “The Last Kingdom” series on Netflix (Which deals with Alfred the Great) and while wildly historically inaccurate, it is kind of fun to watch.
I knew a little about this period, but not much, and my wife who doesn’t enjoy history quite the same way I do, knew even less.
As we watched, she said “Now, this is what is going to happen...Bjonrsklad is going to marry Eldoredth (just making these up) and they are going to do this...”
Sure enough, that is what would happen. When I gave her a quizzical look, she said “Look. I have years and years of experience following soap operas that you don’t have...that is all this is, a soap opera in a semi-historical framework. As a woman, you have to know these things...”
As for what I know about Alfred the Great, he does seem worthy of that title.
Nor code of Hammurabi.
I remember studying the Magna Carta in grade school. It made such an impression on me, I had to see the copy in the British Museum in London on my first trip. Do kids even hear the words “Magna Carta” now?
MAGA Carter...
history will be lost.
You can’t use anything with “ham” in it. You know that. That’d make you anti moose limb.
Not to be picky, but The Last Kingdom is based on a series of historical novels by Bernard Cornwell called the Saxon Chronicles. The Saxon period (9th and 10th century) that the novels address is well after the Arthurian period. If you want to read Cornwell’s Arthurian novels read Warlord Chronicles: The Winter King, Enemy of God, and Excalibur. He freely admits that that they are fiction, but based on the best known factors of the Arthur legend. If you are a historical novel nut (like me) i highly recommend reading anything by Bernard Cornwell.
Bkmrk
Ragnar Lodbrok (or whatever the historical character's name actually was) was long dead by the time that Alfred began his revolt against the Danes in 878.
I'm looking forward to season 2 of "The Last Kingdom" coming to the US. That series details the story of Alfred and the invasion of the Danes. A very good show. Worth watching.
Alfred, not Arthur.
Darn, please accept my apologies. I originally misread your post as being about Arthur. You are correct, The Saxon Chronicles do indeed occur in the period of Alfred the Great. However, the novels are outstanding and I still highly recommend them. Cheers.
We’ll check it out.
I found The Last Kingdom to be somewhat accurate. They had the part where Alfred supposedly burned the bread, where he got lost in the swamp, where he met with his allies at the stone, and his great victory over the Vikings. Also they showed him to be a very religious and learned man. Now Utred, son of Utred is there for the eye candy :)
Nor Rollo, the progenitor of the Norman Vikings.
True through history. When the king needs help from the peons to repel invaders he has to restore enough of their Liberties to get them motivated. Otherwise, it’s back to “weapons control”.
Season 2 is available in US on Netflix. Just finished it. Wishing for a Season 3.
Now that sounds familiar. Too all those “Can’t we all get along.” folks, NO. Sooner or later, some assclown always wants to control every aspect of your meager existence so NO, we can’t all get along. It’s built in.
Interesting article! Thanks for posting!
I am directly descended from William Malet (1175-1215), signer of the Magna Charta :)
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