The Life and Times of Alfred the Great Being the Ford lectures for 1901

"The Life and Times of Alfred the Great" by Charles Plummer is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work presents a detailed examination of the life and legacy of King Alfred the Great, highlighting his contributions as a military leader, administrator, and promoter of education in a time of Viking invasions. Plummer’s account aims to clarify misconceptions about Alfred's character and actions while presenting a comprehensive view of his historical context. At the start of the text, the author introduces the lectures and expresses gratitude to historical figures who influenced his work. Plummer outlines his goal to address the existing confusions and oversimplifications surrounding King Alfred by critically surveying the sources available. He emphasizes the challenges historians face when interpreting the limited and often incomplete historical records about Alfred and remarks on the importance of a careful and nuanced understanding of this pivotal figure in English history. Through a methodical approach, Plummer sets the stage for a deep dive into Alfred's campaigns, governance, cultural contributions, and lasting impact on England. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Charles Plummer, FBA (1851–1927) was an English historian and cleric, best known as the editor of Sir John Fortescue's The Governance of England, and for coining the term "bastard feudalism". He was the fifth son of Matthew Plummer of St Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex. He matriculated at Corpus Christi College, Oxford in 1869, graduating B.A. and S.C.L. in 1873 and becoming a Fellow.