Synopses & Reviews
More than a thousand years ago, the ruler of a beleaguered kingdom saw a vision of the Virgin Mary that moved him to rally his chiefs and make a last stand. Alfred the Great freed his realm from Danish invaders in the year 878 with an against-all-odds triumph at the Battle of Ethandune. In this ballad, G. K. Chesterton equates Alfred's struggles with Christianity's fight against nihilism and heathenism—a battle that continues to this day.
One of the last great epic poems, this tale unfolds in the Vale of the White Horse, where Alfred fought the Danes in a valley beneath an ancient equine figure etched upon the Berkshire hills. Chesterton employs the mysterious image as a symbol of the traditions that preserve humanity. His allegory of the power of faith in the face of an invasive foe was much quoted in the dark days of 1940, when Britain was under attack by Nazis. This new edition offers an authoritative, inexpensive version of Chesterton's inspiring work.Dover (2010) unabridged republication of the edition published by John Lane Company, New York, 1911.
Synopsis
British writer GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON (1874-1936) expounded prolifically about his wide-ranging philosophies-he is impossible to categorize as liberal or conservative, for instance-across a wide variety of avenues: he was a literary critic, historian, playwright, novelist, columnist, and poet. His witty, humorous style earned him the title of the prince of paradox, and his works-80 books and nearly 4,000 essays-remain among the most beloved in the English language. The only work he dedicated to his wife, this may have been Chesterton's own favorite. Considered by some to be the last great epic poem in the English language, this 1911 work sings the praises of the English king Alfred, who battled the invading Danish Vikings in AD 879. Chronicling not only a great military victory but, the cultural triumph of Christianity over paganism in the Dark Ages, this unfairly forgotten literary masterpiece will delight students of English poetry.
Synopsis
One of the last great epic poems, this ballad tells the tale of Alfred the Great's unlikely victory with the assistance of the Virgin Mary over Gunthrum and the Danes at the Battle of Ethandune. A Catholic allegory relying more upon legends than historical facts, this chronicle is often considered Chesterton's greatest literary achievement.
Synopsis
One of the last great epic poems, this ballad tells the tale of Alfred the Great's unlikely victory with the assistance of the Virgin Mary over Gunthrum and the Danes at the Battle of Ethandune.
Table of Contents
Book IThe Vision of the KIngBook IIThe Gathering of the ChiefsBook IIIThe Harp of AlfredBook IVThe Woman in the ForestBook VEthandune: The First StrokeBook VIEthandune: The Slaying of the ChiefsBook VIIEthandune: The Last ChargeBook VIIIThe Scouring of the Horse