The Portland daily press., 1899-05-27
1t Is the ThOESandth Anniversary Of
His Famous Reign.
Historians Say He Pre-
served the Nation.
He Was Good, True and Brave,
Statesman and Poet.

Extensive preparations are being made
in England for the celebration of the
millenary OF lO00th anniversary of Alfred,
surnamed the Great, King Of the West
Saxons, who succeeded to the crown Oh
the death of his brother Ethelred in the
year s72. He was then 90 years of age.
Alfred was the greatest Saxon that ever
lived, and when. in connection with the
period in which he ruled and struggled,
one considers his patriotism, his piety,
his love of learning, and his great capacity
as soldier and lawgiver, 1T is none toe
much to say that he was one of the great.
est Englishmen of all time The English
people OF today cannot do too much honor
to his memory, for, to quote the Encyclo
kinsman, Buried of Mecria, left his people
In their hour of need the heather Danes,
In all probability, would have acted like
the Eheathen Englishmen before them-a
new race would have possessed the land
and the names of England and English.
men would have disappeared from the
pages of history"
Alfred was born at Vantage, in Berk-
shire, in $40. and after most eventful
and heroic life died in the year 90l, at
the age of 81. and was buried a. Winches-
ter. From the beginning OF his reign to
near Its close he was In almost constant
confii,t with the Danes, sometimes striv-
ing with success against them and some
times forced to retire before the successive
bands which the rowing marsuders of the
north poured upon the English coast, and
compelling the Apglo-Saxons either to
bend their necks to the Vikings yoke or
fly from thir homes.
ALERED BECOMES A FUGITIVE.
In S7S, despite every resistance that his
skill and resources could command, the
invaders had VIGOROUSLY overrun the
whole. kingdom Of the West Saxons, and
not only his throne seemed lost but the
national existence itself was at stake.
Without.an army, with his people losing
hope, and many of them seeking terms
and alliances with the conquering North
men, Alfred was forced to seek security
in the forests and the hills but he never
lost hope OF courage, nor despaired of the
final triumph of his people. At this
period 1t was, when his fortunes were
surely of the Darkest Bishop Asser, the
original historian of his life ami deeds,
says:
"The King, having deemed it prudent
to assume a disguise, went lurking
through hedges and ways, through woods
and fields, so that he, through Gods guild
ance, arrived at Athelney and begged
shelter in the house of csrtain swain.
and even diligently served him and his
evil wife.
Tender and admiring compliments to
the fair sex are not, of course. to he ex-
pected from high church dignitaries, but
the good Bishop gives no good reason for
branding this simple housewife as "evil. u
No doubt she regarded Alfred as tramp.
and deserves commendation, 1t would
seem, for taking him and feeding him.
Tne historian continues:
"It happened one day that this swain s
wife heated he- oven. and the King sat
thereby warming himself by the fire, the
family not knowing that he was King.
Then was the evil woman suddenly stirred
UP, and said to the King in angry mood
turn thou, the lonves that they burn not,
for see daily that thou art great
eater
This was pretty rough on Alfred, but
it is not recorded that be took u,nbrage at
the taunt or overawed her by betrayiDg
his identity. On the contrary, it is told
"he was quickly obedient to tho evil
woman because he needs must" And
such is the famous story of King Alfred
and the burnt cakes. 1t is also told that
while sojourning there Alfred had Wis
ion OF St. Cuthbert, and that at one oil
more times he went into the Danish
camp disguised as harper and learned
of their plans and forces.
KING TURNS THE TABLES.
Some time later things began to bright
en- for the fugitive King, the people begar
O nee more to arm against the Danes ano
| Alfred, leaving the cowherd's hut, erect
ed stronghold on an elevated spot in th'
marshes of Somersetshire, which he callet
Athelney, and gathered around him ther'
an effective force of faithful followers. A
their head he attacked the Danes in 81
near Ellington in Wiltshire, and com
pletely routed them. Following up hil
success, he forced the freetooters ft
cspitulate, anu their King, Gothrun
with many of. his followers accepted
Christianity and were baptized. lOthel
victories followed, and gradually he drove
thu invaders to the edges of the northern
and eastern coasts of the kingdom.
For few years Alfred's kingdom anc