Alfheim

alf'him, in Norse mythology, the domain of Freyr, the sun god, and the abode of the Elves of Light. The Elves of Light were beautiful, shining spirits, more brilliant than the sun. They loved the light, were friendly to mankind, and usually appeared as lovely children.

Alfred the Great (849-901), king of the West Saxons. He was born at Wantage in 849, and was buried at Winchester, October 28, 901. In his youth Alfred was educated at Rome and resided for a time at the French court of Charles the Bald. He was crowned by the West Saxons in 871. Alfred came to the throne in troublous times. The Danes were pressing into Wessex, and he was obliged to battle with them for the very life of his people. Disasters came one after another, but Alfred was a man of the utmost determination and was full of resources. At one time he was obliged to retire with a handful of followers to an island in the marshes of the interior. A story runs to the effect that, while here, he one day entered the hut of a peasant to whom he was unknown. The woman of the house, supposing him to be a cowherd, set him to mind her cakes while she attended to other matters. Alfred, whose mind--and little wonder--was engaged in revolving far other projects, allowed the good wife's cakes to burn, but took his scolding goodnaturedly.

After various fortunes of war, the Danes were brought to terms. They agreed to remain on the easterly side of Watling Street, a road running from London to Chester. In time they became vassals of the kings of Wessex. Guthrum, their king, and thirty chiefs were baptized. Alfred stood sponser for Guthrum and gave him an English name. The Danes made little more trouble. This arrangement left Alfred in full control on his own side of Watling Street. He proceeded to combine various petty states into one Saxon kingdom, a work that was continued by his son, Edward the Elder. Alfred succeeded in giving all southern England a semblance, at least, of real nationality. For his day and age he appears to have had remarkable foresight. He foresaw that his kingdom was likely to be attacked by Danes and other adventurers. He showed the people that permanent freedom from invasion for the kingdom could be secured only by the building of ships with which to meet future invaders on their own element. This was the beginning of the British navy.

Alfred was considered a friend of the common people. The humblest peasant or serf was sure of justice if his claim once reached Alfred's ear. In order that earl, peasant, and serf might be judged with fairness and justice, Alfred caused the customs of the people and the laws of his predecessors to be compiled and systematized in a code. Alfred's code is considered an important step in English jurisprudence.

Apart from a few noble poems, notably of Caedmon, and the ballads and battle songs and fireside stories of the people, the literature of the day was wholly in the Latin language. Alfred himself translated a number of valuable works into English, and encouraged others to do the same. Volumes of history and religious teachings were in this way made accessible to the people in their own language. This was the beginning of English prose.

During his reign the compilation of what is known as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle received a powerful impulse. Whether Alfred himself wrote a part of the Chronicle is not known, but this is the beginning of English history.

As a leader of troops amid difficulties, as a far-seeing statesman, a wise and just ruler, a friend of the people, a patriot, a scholar, and as a man, Alfred may be regarded justly as one of the eminent men of England, fully entitled to the name of "The Great" which has been assigned him, not by those who knew and loved him, but by modern writers. In his own day Alfred's title was "The Truth Teller." In the troublous days of Norman invasion and of Norman oppression he was remembered as "England's Darling."