Page:Catholic Encyclopedia, volume 1.djvu/349

ALFONSO 12 June, 1863. For many years the professor of singing at the English College in Rome, he is remembered chiefly for his scientific writings and his collections of music of the old masters. Perhaps his most valuable work is his "Raccolta di Musica Sacra" in seven large volumes, a reprint of the sixteenth-century church music, mostly by Palestrina, which was supplemented by later and smaller collections, such as "Excerpta ex celebrioribus de musicâ viris" (Rome, 1840), and "Raccolta di Motetti" (Rome, 1841). On plain chant he published "Accompagnamento coll' organo" (Rome, 1840); "Ristabilmento del canto e della musica ecclesiastica" (Rome, 1843); "Saggio storico del canto Gregoriano" (Rome 1845); "Prodromo sulla restaurazione de' libri di canto Gregoriano" (Rome, 1857). He also translated into Italian Catel's "Traité d'harmonie" and contributed to the "Gazzetta musicale di Milano" and other periodicals many articles on church music of great value to the student.

2em  Alfonso de Alcalá. See.

Alfonso de Zamora, a converted Spanish Rabbi, baptized 1506; d. 1531. He revised the Hebrew text for Ximenes's Polyglot Bible, translated the Chaldee paraphrase in it, and added the sixth volume. He published also a work called "Introductiones Hebraicæ" (Alcala, 1526). 2em  Alfonso of Burgos, b. of a noble family, in the city of that name; d. at Palencia, 8 December, 1489. He was conspicuous for learning before his entrance into the Dominican order, early in life. His preaching attracted the notice of Ferdinand and Isabella, who selected him as royal confessor. On the recommendation of the latter, Alfonso was appointed to the see of Cordova by Sixtus IV, 30 April, 1477. Remaining there only four years, he was transferred to the Bishopric of Cuenca, and in 1484, or according to Gams (Series Episcoporum, P. 64) in 1486, to Palencia. At the same time he held successively the office of Grand Chaplain of the Court, Counsellor of the Catholic King, and President of the Council of Castile. In the latter capacity he was instrumental in getting pecuniary grants from the crown for Columbus. During the years 1487 and 1488 he obtained eight thousand pounds at various times for the fitting out of a fleet. In the absence of the king he exercised his right as President of the Council in giving orders for a payment of three thousand pounds to the discoverer. These duties did not hinder him from repairing many dilapidated churches of his diocese. He built, out of his own revenues, the Dominican convent of St. Vincent Ferrer at Palencia, in 1486. He takes a high rank in the history of Spanish education for completing the Collegium Sancti Gregorii at Valladolid, begun by King Alfonso the Wise (1252–84). Posterity justly calls him the founder of this famous college of his order.

2em  Alford, Michael, a Jesuit missionary in England during the Persecution, b. in London in 1587; d. at St. Omers, 11 August, 1652. His real name was Griffith, and he sometimes passed as John Flood, the aliases being used to escape detection. He entered the novitiate at Louvain, in 1607, studied philosophy in the English College at Seville and theology at Louvain, and was made a professed of the four vows (see ) in 1619. After his ordination, he was sent to Naples to minister to his fellow countrymen there, as well as to the British merchantmen and sailors who frequented that port. From thence he was sent to Rome, where he filled the office of Penitentiary from 1615 to 1620. He then became Socius to the Master of Novices, and, subsequently, rector of the Society's College at Ghent. In 1628, he went over to England and, immediately at his arrival in Dover, was seized as a priest. When restored to liberty he went to Leicestershire, where he laboured for nearly thirty-three years. His principal hiding place was at Combe, in Hereford, where a subsequent search revealed a considerable library, most probably made use of by him in his writings. He was the author of many important works, especially of the famous "Annales Ecclesiastici et Civiles Britannorum, Saxonum, et Anglorum." The "Brittainia Illustrata" is attributed to him. but Sommervogel denies the authenticity of "The Admirable Life of St. Winefride", also ascribed to him. To complete his "Annales", he received permission to pass over to the continent, but on arriving in St. Omers he was attacked by a fever and died.

2em  Alfred, or Ælfred, King of the West-Saxons, b. Wantage, Berkshire, England, 849; d. 899, was the fifth son of Ethelwulf, or Æthelwulf, King of Wessex, and Osburh, his queen, of the royal house of the Jutes of Wight. When he was four years old, according to a story which has been repeated so frequently that it is generally accepted as true, he was sent by his father to Rome, where he was anointed king by Pope Leo IV. This, however like many other legends which have crystallized about the name of Alfred, is without foundation. Two years later, in 855, Ethelwulf went on a pilgrimage to Rome, taking Alfred with him. This visit, recorded by Asser, is accepted as authentic by modern historians.

In 858 Ethelwulf died and Wessex was governed by his sons, Ethelbald, Ethelbert, and Ethelred, successively, until 871, when Alfred came to the throne. Nothing is known of his movements during the reigns of Ethelbald and Ethelbert, but Asser, speaking of him during the reign of Ethelred, gives him the title of Secundarius. In 868 he married Ealhswith, daughter of Ethelred, surnamed the Mickle, Ealdorman of the Gainas. The West-Saxons and the Mercians were then engaged in a war against the invading Danes and Alfred took an active part in the struggle. He ascended the throne during the thickest of this conflict, but before the end of the year he succeeded in effecting a peace,