Page:King Alfred's Old English version of St. Augustine's Soliloquies - Hargrove - 1902.djvu/34

XXVIII RELATION OF ALFRED TO ST. AUGUSTINE -esting and frank autobiography, which recalls Rousseau's Confessions, but which excels all works of its kind.

Thus we can scarcely overestimate the influence of this master mind on the Middle Ages. Since it was so, his writings might easily have reached any one who had access to the language of the Latin Fathers, more especially if this one was a Christian, and had a devout and inquiring soul. Just such a character was that of Alfred, as can be easily shown.

2. King Alfred. - Having become king in 871 at the age of twenty-two, he found most of his time occupied in warlike pursuits, leaving little opportunity for education. Even before his accession, he had, by his bravery and tact, won the famous battle of Ashdown against the Danes. But the success was only temporary, for the West-Saxons, with Alfred as leader, had to fight nine dreadful battles against the Danes during the first year of his reign. In 878 the same stubborn enemy made such a heavy descent on Wessex that Alfred, weak as was his army, was forced to take temporary refuge in the island of Athelney; but in the same year he gathered new forces, and by a bold attack overcame the Danes under Guthrum, and wrenched from them the treaty of Wedmore. For some years he was busy rebuilding his cities, constructing a navy, and giving laws to his people; but in 893 the Danes under Hasting made a final attempt to overthrow Wessex, which attempt, however, resulted in Alfred's complete victory.

Now he had some leisure to carry on his studies and make his translations. He studied with the same zeal and avidity that he manifested in war. He made his vows to God, and solemnly paid them. 'Moreover, he promised, as far as his infirmity and his means would allow, to give up to God the half of his services, bodily and mental, by night and by day, voluntarily, and with all his might.' 1 Asser: Life of Alfred, p. 84.