The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-09-22
A THOUSAND YEARS SINCE.

pirate the ore tnopSa1OIH anniversary %
the death OF King Alfred the Great
Winchester. the ancient capital OF the
Saxons and burial place Of England
greatest king will be the most prominent
in the coming ceiebra ton.
a statue of King Alfred, designed BY
Mr. II Thornycroft, the well-known Eng
lish sculptor, VIII be unveiled with aporo-
pirate ceremony.
The most perfect character II history
as a celebrated historian declares Alfred
the Great 10 be. was born at Vantage, n
Berkshire. England. in the year 50 A D.
At the age Of seven Alfred accompanied
his father Ethelwulf 10 Rome. This long
and difficult journey. offended by great
magni3cence. doubtless left an indeiible
impression upon the boy Alfred : mind.
AT any rate. in future years ne was
deeply interested = geography. and ac-
counts of foreign manners and customs,
some OF which he himself wroJe.
While in Rome the splendid. liberal.
Ethelwulf bestowed upon the Pope mar
Vicious and beautiful gifts. among them u
crown CT pure gold two golden vessels
called bauoas, sword wrought in pure
gold.
An interesting story, possibly a mere
tradition. tells US that VIXEN a young
man Alfred visited the castle OF a Mer-
clan noble OF high rank. who received the
yong prince with delight. presenting him
to his wife and three beautiful daughters.
AT supper Ealswitha. whose grace and
loneliness eciipssd her sisters. was given
the honor Of waiting upon Alfred Struck
by her beauty, the young prince openly
and lavishly praised her charms Eathei
red alarmed, whispered to his wife the
fatherly fear that oppressed his heart.
The next morning the chieftain host
appeared before his royal guest, drawn
sword in hand, his three lovely daughters
clad IN mourning, ana in deep distress.
by his side. What is this I see?" asked
the young prince II. amazement. a
father" answered Ethelred. Whose hon
or is more TO him than life itself Ny mo-
tive fer this is quickly explained / am a
subject but not a slave: you know well
my illustrioCs ancestors. ! VIII now make
known 10 you my sentiments I may be
mistaken but I thought last night / saw
a particular attention 10 one OF my
daughters. If you have any designs upon
the honor of nv house you see the sword
that shall in an instant sacrifice these I'M
happy but willing victims. But if a pure
fame IS kindled ir your breast my ALI
ance need not be deemed unworthy OF
your royalty. Choose. therefore. and
name her that is born 10 such distin-
gushed honor"
Alfred. impressed with the nooles high
minded daring, held out his hand TO the
trembling beautiful Ealswitha. who at
terward was proclaimed his wife.
Alfred was nineteen at the tune of his
maria ge- The union seems 20 have peen
an exceptionally happy one.
Alfred she Great caTne to the throne Of
Wessex. the West Saxon cOuncry, at the
age OF one-and-tW enty. a. d. SD. Al
though not the legal heir TO the throne,
as his eldest brothers infant son sur
vived him. Alfred against his own de-
sires. was urged TO accept the crown. in
order TO save the kingdom from division
and possible disruption.
From first TO last King Alfred's life sto-
~ is interesting. romantic and thrilling.
The Dares, whose ravaging invasions
continuously threatened the SaXons. at
length wen victory over them at the bat
tie of Wilton. in Wiltshire, but upon
being paid large amount Of money turn
co aside from Wessex. to continue their
Iepre6ations elsewhere Alfred was at
Chippenham on the Avon when 4 Danish
soldier named Guthrum invaded tho
town. and the king was forced to flee for
his life.
He wandered through the country in
the bleak winter for some days, dis
gllised q a peasant. Ancient chroniclers
tell us that at length Alfred sought shell
ter in the hut of Saxon swineherd. The
busy housewife asked the stranger guest
TO watch some cakes she was baking
in the embers and left the king to his nov
Il and lowly task. With his mind upon
MS kingdom and on plans FOR its relief.
it is little wonder that Alfred. for once.
neglected his duty. Upon her return. his
humble hostess scclded him roundly for
his neglect. saying scornfully: Glad
enough you'll he to eat the cakes, but
YOU are too lazy TO turn them.
The stories concerning Alfred the Great
arc familiar 10 US all. but are so fun OF
charm that one does not tire Of listen
Ing to them.
For many months the kings hiding
place was upon little marshy island
Tow called Altheney Here his faithful
followers and mobiles visited him. and to-
gether they laid a careful plot to over
throw their enemies. the Danes.
Upon one occasion Alfred. 10 the dis
guise of n Harper. slipped away from his
hiding place and fearlessly visited the
camp of his old enemy. GEthrum. Tho
Danish soldiers were pleased with treir
visitors JrolI speeches and enchanted by
the swec, melodies he played upon his
harp, and it was by their urgent requests
that Alfred spent some days I'm their
midst
During that nemora bic visit sh5 iutrep
id king was rewarded Tor his pains by
ovsrhe airing discussion of their proposed
scheme fer attacking the SaNons. Find
ing some means Of leaving the Danish
camp without exciting suspicion. he Dade
farewell and fastened 10 join his impa-
tient mobiles. who were assembled in Sci
wood forest
IN the battle which quickly followed the
Saxons won a complete victory. This was
in the year SIS A =. From Ethandune.
wEero the battle was fought. Alfred led
mis- men 10 attack GCJhTum and his fol-
lowers. again the Saxors were vict0ri-
Gus. Guthrum. with - Of his chiefs,
was baptized. He took the name n
Ataelstaue. and Alfred the Great was his
/ sponsor.
\ tract Of land between the Tweed and
the Thames was allotted % ire conquered
Danes Danelagh. the home OF the Danes
IN Eugland. is recognized today by its
geographical names terminating Gu "by
which, Is the Danish name for town.
II the year s9l once again the War-iire
/ Danes with a feet Of - ships, arrived Of
ihe shores n Kent They were led or tne
/ brave. intrepid. Hastings. who's Ereat
gcrerslshin came near vsnquishins Sax
7 on England. For three years the war-iike
invaders troubled the south ~ England.
AMI even ventureG within a few niies n
l London itself
King Alfred again proved himself 70
I o. great Seeing the river dotted 81
thickiy with the enemy's sh-rs. n ordered
/ his men 20 dix deep channels from the
/ river Lea to the river Ihsn1es- the co-rs
cf the former river w1s changed and ire
shius II the Danes rar agrrgnd ara Has
tings and his -neu we're pat ~ fizhL
IT. che peaceful years which followed
Alfred u-ss urflrirc SRI his scheme frr tfe
{ benefit % his country. lie b4lf mighty
. fortres ses and great castles in order f1
better "a thstand IRE future attacks -
( their enemies Fse strengthened hls arn-
Z 80 fr-rae and r.frrrf~r.etel has navy