Alfred alone of English rulers bears the title of
"the Great." He well deserves it, not only for what he did but for
what he was. Through the mists of ten centuries his figure still looms large.
It is the figure of a brave, patient, and modest man, who wore himself out in
the service of his people. The oft-quoted words which he added to one of his
translations form a fitting epitaph to this noble king: "My wish was to
live worthily as long as I lived, and after my life to leave to them that
should come after, my memory in good works." His wish has been fulfilled.
FROM ALFRED TO THE NORMAN CONQUEST, 901-1066 A.D.
About seventy-five years after Alfred's death the Danes
renewed their invasions. It then became necessary to buy them off with an
annual tribute called the Danegeld. Early in the eleventh century Canute, the
son of a Danish king, succeeded in establishing himself on the English throne
(1016-1035 A.D.). His dynasty did not last long, however, and at length the old
West-Saxon line was restored in the person of Edward the Confessor (or
"the Saint"). Edward had spent most of his early life in Normandy,
and on coming to England brought with him a large following of Normans, whom he
placed in high positions. During his reign (1042-1066 A.D.) Norman nobles and
churchmen gained a foothold in England, thus preparing the way for the Norman
conquest of the country.
