Alfred the Great

Asser's Life of King Alfred and Other Contemporary Sources

Asser, Simon Keynes, Michael Lapidge , Michael Lapidge

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English

Penguin Classics
01 February 1984

Biography: historical, political & military; Literature, Poetry & Criticism; British & Irish history; Early history: c 500 to c 1450&1500; Penguin Black Classics; Literature, Poetry & Criticism

Asser's revealing account of one of the great medieval kings

Asser's Life of King Alfred, written in 893, is a revealing account of one of the greatest of medieval kings. Composed by a monk of St David's in Wales who became Bishop of Sherborne in Alfred's service and worked with him in his efforts to revive religion and learning in his kingdom, this life is among the earliest surviving royal biographies. It is an admiring account of King Alfred's life, written in absorbing detail - chronicling his battles against Viking invaders and his struggle to increase the strength and knowledge of his people, and to unite his people at a time of conflict, uncertainty and war.

By: Asser
Introduction by: Michael Lapidge, Simon Keynes
Translated by: Simon Keynes, Michael Lapidge
Imprint: Penguin Classics
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm, Spine: 21mm
Weight: 269g
ISBN: 9780140444094
ISBN 10: 0140444092
Pages: 368
Publication Date: 01 February 1984
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Little is known of Asser beyond this work. Simon Keynes is Reader in Anglo-Saxon History at Cambridge University. He is the author of The Diplomas of King Aethelred 'the Unready' and of numerous articles on Anglo-Saxon history. Michael Lapidge is Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Cambridge University and a Fellow of Clare College. He has translated the Latin writings of Aldhelm and is the author of numerous books on Latin literature.