He was kind and honest in all dealings with his subjects, encouraged literacy among his people, and showed bravery and courage when his country was under attack. One day, the vikings, a fierce, warlike people, led a surprise attack on king alfred s army. The intricacies of grammar, in fact, should not be relegated to the realm of fussy guardians of the language, but are rather essential clues all can employ to. Alfred the great was a muchloved king of england who lived from a. Translation of alfreds prose preface to pastoral care. After his baptism he remained twelve nights with the king, who, with all his nobles, gave him many fine house. One day, the vikings, a fierce, warlike people, led a surprise attack on king alfreds army.
Michael dc drout has now transformed his classic king alfreds grammar into a comprehensive. That alfreds children were exceedingly well behaved displaying every possible from hist 4690 at georgia state university. Old english, a term which is often used interchangeably with anglosaxon, is obviously no longer a spoken language. Michael dc drout has now transformed his classic king alfreds grammar into a comprehensive guide for learning. He is remembered today chiefly for his success in preventing the danes from conquering england, and for fostering a revival of learning in his kingdom.
King alfreds grammar california state university, northridge. Michael dc drout has now transformed his classic king alfred s grammar into a comprehensive guide for learning old english. Even the most novice student can learn to read the classics of medieval. Drout is the william and elsie prentice professor of english at wheaton college in norton, massachusetts, where he teaches courses in old and middle english, medieval literature. A saxon child in king alfreds day would have found it a good deal easier to learn to read than an english child in queen elizabeths day. If you would like to get an idea of what it might have been like to hear alfred talking, you should take a holiday in frisia, an island region in the northwest netherlands. Harris home anglosaxon aloud how to use this grammar book an introduction to old english unfamiliar letters in old english pronouncing old. In that language, which we now refer to as old english, the ordinary activities of english society were conducted, including government, law, literature, historical records, and basic education. Michael d c drout, recorded books, inc professor drout continues to explore humanitys intimate association with language with language, here delving into the finer points of grammar. Michael dc drout has now transformed his classic king alfreds grammar into a comprehensive guide. This old english grammar book appears as a courtesy of dr. Page 86 ethelwerd the youngest, by the divine counsels and the admirable prudence of the king, was consigned to the schools of learning, where, with the children of almost all the nobility of the country, and many also who were not noble, he prospered under the diligent care of his teachers. When i recalled how knowledge of latin had previously decayed throughout england, and yet many could still read things written in english, i then began, amidst the various and multifarious afflictions of this kingdom, to translate into english the book which in latin is called pastoralis, in english shepherd book, sometimes word for word.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted. Michael dc drout has now transformed his classic king alfreds grammar into a comprehensive guide for learning old english. Books in both languages, namely, latin and saxon, were read in the school. See king alfreds grammar book by professor michael d. Webbased customized tutoring for an ancient language. That alfreds children were exceedingly well behaved. Alfred the great was king of wessex from 871 to 899. Appropriate for students and enthusiasts alike, drout s quick and easy old english presents the basics of the language in an accessible form. Page 74 alre, near athelney, and there king alfred, receiving him as his son by adoption, raised him up from the holy laver of baptism on the eighth day, at a royal villa named wedmore, where the holy chrism was poured upon him. Latin scholarship was in such decline in england that when king alfred came to the throne in 871, he complained that almost no one south of the humber could translate a letter out of. King alfreds preface to the translation of gregory the great. Essential reading for people who already think they know a. King alfreds preface to the translation of gregory the.