The Political Thought of King Alfred the Great

Abstract

This book is a comprehensive study of political thought at the court of King Alfred the Great (871–99). It explains the extraordinary burst of royal learned activity focused on inventive translations from Latin into Old English attributed to Alfred's own authorship. A full exploration of context establishes these texts as part of a single discourse which placed Alfred himself at the heart of all rightful power and authority. A major theme is the relevance of Frankish and other European experiences, as sources of expertise and shared concerns, and for important contrasts with Alfredian thought and behaviour. Part I assesses Alfred's rule against West Saxon structures, showing the centrality of the royal household in the operation of power. Part II offers an intimate analysis of the royal texts, developing far-reaching implications for Alfredian kingship, communication and court culture. Comparative in approach, the book places Alfred's reign at the forefront of wider European trends in aristocratic life.

A brief history of Anglo‐Saxon education

“…115–116). Schreiber () helpfully summarizes these debates as she joins her voice to a chorus of scholars who have argued that Alfred was a politically savvy king who successfully and dramatically reformed English education as he consolidated his own political power (Discenza, , ; Keynes, ; O'Neill, ; Pratt, ; Schreiber, ). As both Pratt () and Discenza () point out, Alfred's vision of Old English as a curriculum language helped him to expand the scope of his authority: while he was styled “king of the West Saxons” early in his reign, he was, by his death, known as the “king of the Anglo‐Saxons.”…”

“…Current scholarship tends to see Alfred as a thoughtful and shrewd politician who took a direct hand in steering Anglo‐Saxon intellectual culture at the close of the ninth century (Discenza, ; Pratt, ). Dumitrescu () offers, if not a dissenting view, at least an important caveat.…”

Kings and books in Anglo-Saxon England

“…46 As I have argued elsewhere, Asser's account is important since it may preserve a wider form of 'court' education available to the secular elite, and also suggests, at this stage, emphasis on the memorization and recitation of texts, rather than the ability to read directly. 47 Under Alfred's own rule (871-99), one has the impression of transformative developments, in the form of what is generally termed his 'educational programme': that is, major changes in education and learning promoted by the king in the 880s and 890s. 48 As I have argued, the Alfredian programme built on the court-based education described above, but promoted two major shifts: firstly, a new emphasis on the ability of the lay aristocracy to read English; and, secondly, the promotion not of poetry but prose translations of learned Latin texts.…”

“…48 As I have argued, the Alfredian programme built on the court-based education described above, but promoted two major shifts: firstly, a new emphasis on the ability of the lay aristocracy to read English; and, secondly, the promotion not of poetry but prose translations of learned Latin texts. 49 Translations, promoted by the king, were seen as a repository of 'wisdom' needed by all involved in rulership. 50 King Alfred's kingship was modelled, above all, on that of the biblical Solomon.…”

“…The audiences for translated texts were leading ecclesiastics and the lay elite, and also included aristocratic and royal children educated in the royal household. 52 Provisions included the reading aloud of translated texts to those who were unable to read for themselves. The court education was also in some sense bilingual, involving instruction in Latin as well as English, though for the laity this Latin instruction was not necessarily at a high level.…”