You can read it, here.ĭo you want to find other Primary Sources for use in your lessons, or for research purposes? Visit our Primary Sources page to see which areas we currently have a range of sources for. Whilst it is not only about Asser’s work it provides context and examples of contrasting works on Alfred’s rule, along with an assessment as to why his reputation has changed over the centuries. History Today have a good article on King Alfred. This article is useful as it breaks down several of the more important sections of Asser’s work and provides commentary alongside. The British Library has a selection of images from copies that they hold and an introductory post about the book, here. Resources and LinksĪ pdf copy of Asser’s Life of King Alfred is available here (external link). It is available freely on the internet or could be purchased via good book retailers with academic notes alongside. Photograph taken by Mkooiman – click image to go to original file.Īt 47 pages (A4) long the work is a lengthy source. Original copies of Asser’s work held at the British Library were lost to a fire in the 18th century, though there are numerous copies of the work from the Middle Ages. Asser's life of King Alfred by Asser, John, d. Asser’s work ends quite abruptly suggesting that the manuscript was not completed. Acknowledged authors Anonymous wrote Alfred the Great: Assers Life of King Alfred and Other Contemporary Sources (Penguin Classics) comprising 368 pages. The first concentrates on Alfred’s life to 887AD, the second part is a discussion of his rule. Asser’s Life of King Alfred was commissioned by the King himself.

Asser's life of king alfred