His name means ‘wise elf,’ and, of course, I’m obsessed with wisdom. I am given to thinking, the more responsibility a man has, the more of it he needs. And now, on the twenty-sixth day of the eighth month, the ‘wise elf’ died and left his people bereft at his passing. Not only the West Seaxa mourned King Alfred but all those who understood the meaning of greatness. Had he not defended his kingdom against the Vikings and overseen the conversion of their leader, Guthrun? He was a learned, merciful, and gracious ruler, is that not true? Education, justice, and the military were improved, and, without this, what a wretched life our people would have endured.
These thoughts filled my head as I rode to Wintan-caestre upon receiving the news. I sought to pay my respects at his tomb in the Minst
