Ballad of the White Horse (Version 3)
Author: first_name: G. K.
last_name: Chesterton
Language: English

This epic poem is about Alfred the Great's defense of Christian England against the pagan Viking invaders.  The decisive battle is fought in sight of a white horse mark made on a hill, after which the poem is named.  As the white horse mark must be continually maintained by weeding to be clearly seen, Chesterton sees it as a symbol of the continual struggle to maintain the Christian culture and values for which Alfred the Great fought. - Summary by Robin Lamb