This book is a comprehensive study of political thought at the court of King Alfred the Great (871-99). It explains the extraordinary burst of royal learned activity focused on inventive translations from Latin into Old English attributed to Alfred's own authorship. A full exploration of context establishes these texts as part of a single discourse which placed Alfred himself at the heart of all rightful power and authority. A major theme is the relevance of Frankish and other European experiences, as sources of expertise and shared concerns, and for important contrasts with Alfredian thought and behaviour. Part I assesses Alfred's rule against West Saxon structures, showing the centrality of the royal household in the operation of power. Part II offers an intimate analysis of the royal texts, developing far-reaching implications for Alfredian kingship, communication and court culture. Comparative in approach, the book places Alfred's reign at the forefront of wider European trends in aristocratic life.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Pratt's wide-ranging study offers intriguing speculation into the political causes of Alfred's literary activity."
-Stephen J. Harris, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Speculum
"This book is compelling argument for the significance of these texts as a body of work directed by a single program. Pratt puts his contribution in its historiographical context. and often engages with the work of such eminent scholars on early England as Patrick Wormoald and Janet Nelson. One of its real strengths is the frequent comparisons with West Frankish and East Frankish contexts, as well as Mercian, Welsh, and Irish influences...the book is a valuable contribution for the study of intellectual history, the history of political thought, or early medieval kingship."
-Leanne Good, Comitatus, 2008
"...this wide-ranging, deep-delving, shiningly crafted book ought to put its author on the historiographical map as surely as it puts King Alfred on political ideas syllabi." -Janet Nelson, H-Albion
"...this wide-ranging, deep-delving, shiningly crafted book ought to put its author on the historiographical map as surely as it puts King Alfred on political ideas syllabi." -Janet Nelson, H-Albion
-Stephen J. Harris, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Speculum
"This book is compelling argument for the significance of these texts as a body of work directed by a single program. Pratt puts his contribution in its historiographical context. and often engages with the work of such eminent scholars on early England as Patrick Wormoald and Janet Nelson. One of its real strengths is the frequent comparisons with West Frankish and East Frankish contexts, as well as Mercian, Welsh, and Irish influences...the book is a valuable contribution for the study of intellectual history, the history of political thought, or early medieval kingship."
-Leanne Good, Comitatus, 2008
"...this wide-ranging, deep-delving, shiningly crafted book ought to put its author on the historiographical map as surely as it puts King Alfred on political ideas syllabi." -Janet Nelson, H-Albion
"...this wide-ranging, deep-delving, shiningly crafted book ought to put its author on the historiographical map as surely as it puts King Alfred on political ideas syllabi." -Janet Nelson, H-Albion
Book Description
Explores five learned translations generally accepted as being the work of one of the key figures in British history, Alfred the Great. Its comprehensive analysis of the texts, placing them in their historical context, will appeal to Anglo-Saxon historians and to students of Carolingian renaissance and court culture.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
An Old English "think-tank",
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This review is from: The Political Thought of King Alfred the Great (Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series) (Hardcover)
In addition to his military successes and political adroitness, largely known through his Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and reflected in his book of laws, King Alfred of Wessex played a leading role in the translation of a number of crucial Latin texts into Old English. This volume examines what can be inferred regarding how this project was carried out, with the help of clerical scholars attracted to Alfred's court. Much still needs to be done in examining each selection and spot-lighting the changes made in rendering the Latin original into what was thought to be the most useful Old-English version, which sometimes involved considerable alteration of the texts, or even introduction of material they did not contain. This volume assists in furthering the study of the nature and role of Alfred's efforts.
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
King Arthur's role in development of England,
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This review is from: The Political Thought of King Alfred the Great (Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series) (Paperback)
Excellent account of Arthur's thinking, most comprehensive. Important is showing his influence in his era and
identifying as one of the 'greats' in medieval history
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Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs):
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West Saxon, King Alfred, Old English, Charles the Bald, West Frankish, Anglo-Saxon England, British Library, Old Testament, Rex Christianus, Gregory the Great, King Across the Sea, Louis the German, West Francia, East Frankish, Louis the Pious, William of Malmesbury, First Ordo, Pope Gregory, Asser's Life, Anglo-Saxon State, Charles the Fat, Medieval Europe, New York, East Anglia, King's English New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
West Saxon, King Alfred, Old English, Charles the Bald, West Frankish, Anglo-Saxon England, British Library, Old Testament, Rex Christianus, Gregory the Great, King Across the Sea, Louis the German, West Francia, East Frankish, Louis the Pious, William of Malmesbury, First Ordo, Pope Gregory, Asser's Life, Anglo-Saxon State, Charles the Fat, Medieval Europe, New York, East Anglia, King's English New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
1
book
cites this book:
- The King's English: Strategies Of Translation In The Old English Boethius by Nicole Guenther Discenza in Back Matter
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