Athelney, summer and autumn, 879 AD
Athelney, summer and autumn, 879 AD“What do you think of my choice of a sanctuary, Brother John?” said King Alfred, peering through an early morning mist along the causeway, where the second or first fortress—according to one’s point of view—lay shrouded and invisible. Construction of the raised track had required considerable labour; either side stretched a watery wilderness only crossable by punt. Nobody could dispute that the site formed a redoubtable defensive enclave. John’s military knowledge had led him to advise further building of the double-burgh model. On that morning, my friend probably asked himself like I had why the King should formulate such a question. He always had a reason, yet a monarch’s query, however banal, must be answered.
“As
