A tale of courage and true heroism
The year is AD 877, and King Alfred has succeeded in driving the marauding Danes from his kingdom – for the time being.
Edwin and his sister Edith are just beginning to enjoy their liberty when, one terrible night, their lives change forever. Separated from one another, and caught up in the turmoil of their times, Edwin and Edith must learn to discern between truth and falsehood, friend and foe, or be swept away on a tide of treachery.
A blind bard, a lame blacksmith, and an ambitious warrior all have their role in this tale of courage and true heroism set during the reign of Alfred the Great.
The Story Behind the Story
“This was excellently written and such an engaging story! … Such a joy to read!”
Available in all of these formats:
♠ Audiobook
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“Captivating! Among the Great moves forward at a quick pace and kept me turning the pages to find out what happens next.”
Complete with map and sheet music!
FAQ
Who was Alfred the Great?
Alfred the Great was a king who ruled the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex from 871-899 A.D. And he was no ordinary king! Not only did he succeed in liberating his kingdom from the continual threat of invasion by the Danes, but he laboured to re-build Wessex from the inside, educating his people, refining the law code, establishing a navy, translating works of great literature into English, and much more. During the early years of his reign, he suffered several devastating defeats, and throughout his life he struggled with severe illness. In spite of all this, he continued to strive and serve, relying on God and emphasising the importance of Scripture. King Alfred’s life is a powerful testimony to the way in which God brings strength through weakness (2 Cor 12:9-10), using ordinary human beings to accomplish truly great things.
This inscription on the statue of King Alfred in Wantage, England, puts it beautifully:
“Alfred found learning dead, and he restored it. Education neglected, and he revived it. The laws powerless, and he gave them force. The Church debased, and he raised it. The land ravaged by a fearful enemy, from which he delivered it. Alfred’s name shall live as long as mankind respects the past.”
What inspired you to write about King Alfred?
I’ve always been fascinated by King Alfred’s life and times, but my desire to set a story during his reign was sparked when I discovered that he was not only a ruler and a warrior, but a writer and translator. This led me to take a more in-depth look into his life and work. The more I studied him, the more fascinated I became with the heart and story behind this monarch who changed history. It is impossible to fully capture the details of a life such as Alfred’s in one novel, or even a series of novels. However, I hope that Among the Great will help to bring to life this pivotal period in history and will inspire my readers to find out more about this great king.
Can you recommend any resources for studying King Alfred?
Dr. Benjamin Merkle’s The White Horse King is an excellent biography on King Alfred.
The Dragon and the Raven by G.A. Henty is a great historical novel that spans most of King Alfred’s reign.
Have you written any scholarly works on King Alfred?
Yes! I have written a detailed research paper on King Alfred’s translation of a poem by the philosopher Boethius.
When will Book II be released?
All being well, Book II, Among the Outcast, will be released in late 2024. If you’d like to receive monthly updates on the progress of Among the Outcast, subscribe to my newsletter!
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