Part 1 of Essay
Our understanding of the literary achievements of King Alfred depend very much upon what we believe about his early education. If we are content to accept the stories of Asser, the famous biographer of Alfred, that he reached his twelfth birthday before he learned to read (Keynes 75), then we must reckon his literary car ....

Part 2 of Essay
.... Although he could not read, Alfred was greatly attracted to the book and was determined to own it. Forestalling his brothers, he took it to his teacher who read it to him. He then went back to his mother and repeated the entire book from memory to her (Fadiman 14, Keynes 75). This talent was the foundation of Alfred's later reputation as a scholar, translator, and patron of learning. As Alfred's role as king and patron began, he solemnly noted on several occasions his disappointment in the state of educ ....