More about King Alfred

In 871 the throne was filled

By one who came most highly billed.

There is a great deal to relate

About this king we now call “Great”.

Alfred fought the Danes with vigour,

Noble knight and regal figure

Promoter of the English book,

A worthy king, a lousy cook.

The story goes one windswept night,

While hiding from the Danish might

In boggy marshland, cold and wet

Within the plains of Somerset

A kindly peasant so ‘tis told,

Bade Alfred come in from the cold.

Our king was left to mind the fire

Where scrumptious cakes were quickly rising

But with a sense of looming dread

And war-like worries in his head

King Alfred let them burn instead.

(An act we’ll hardly find surprising).

King Alfred died in 899

Son Edward was the next in line.

He spent a lot of time at war

And kept the throne till 924.