Alfred the Great: Asser's Life of King Alfred and Other Contemporary Sources (Penguin Classics) - Softcover

Asser

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140444092 ISBN 13: 9780140444094

Publisher: Penguin Classics, 1983

Synopsis

Asser's Life of King Alfred, written in 893, is a revealing account of one of the greatest of medieval kings. Composed by a monk of St David's in Wales who became Bishop of Sherborne in Alfred's service and worked with him in his efforts to revive religion and learning in his kingdom, this life is among the earliest surviving royal biographies. It is an admiring account of King Alfred's life, written in absorbing detail - chronicling his battles against Viking invaders and his struggle to increase the strength and knowledge of his people, and to unite his people at a time of conflict, uncertainty and war.

About this title

About the Author:

Little is known of Asser beyond this work.

Simon Keynes is Reader in Anglo-Saxon History at Cambridge University. He is the author of The Diplomas of King Aethelred 'the Unready' and of numerous articles on Anglo-Saxon history. Michael Lapidge is Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Cambridge University and a Fellow of Clare College. He has translated the Latin writings of Aldhelm and is the author of numerous books on Latin literature.

From the Back Cover:

As king of Wessex, he strove to emulate those kings of the past who, in his own words, had 'succeeded both in warfare and in wisdom'. He led the battle against the Viking invaders of England, and presided over the revival of religion and learning among his people: his reputation is a measure of his success.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication date: 1983
• ISBN 10: 0140444092
• ISBN 13: 9780140444094
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368