Tag Archives: England

The Legacy of Alfred the Great

The Legacy of Alfred the Great

By Oswyn of Baðon mka Sean Wilson

Shire of Caer Gwyn, Middle Kingdom, Known World

Imagine, you are the last Anglo-Saxon king in Southern England.  Northumbria, East Anglia, Mercia, and most of your kingdom (Wessex) has been captured by the Vikings and either ruled directly by them or through puppet kings.  Your father and three brothers were king before you and fought these invaders. Most of your relations died to these invaders.  You are now huddled with the remnants of your army in a marsh in Somerset.  All the remains is a crude fort, and some hovels of some commoners.  You go out for a walk and take refuge in one of those hovels.  The occupants do not know who you are but show you hospitality.  They simply ask that you do not let the cakes (bread) burn while they gather wood and hunt.