Alfred's Historia Ecclesiastica

Abstract

The "Eng­lish" had been punished by God through the arrival of the Vikings. The British before them, had lapsed in their faith and been sent the scourge of the Anglo-Saxons. This was the message of king Alfred at the end of the 9th century as told by Asser his biographer, and if the English were to survive and even triumph they would need the support of God. This could only come about with a wise king of course. This powerful parallel was one of the devices used to unite the "English people" against the Vikings and stress their place in a Chrisitan tradition. For the great theologian and historian Bede had portrayed the “English people” as a Christian people, heirs to a new Israel, centuries before. This paper evaluates in what manner Bede's history was purposely used by Asser in writing his biography of one of the most powerful Anglo-Saxon kings, Alfred the Great.