A67922:1851
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol.…Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol.…
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol. 1] with an universal history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitive age to these latter times of ours, with the bloody times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions against the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperors, as now lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realm of England and Scotland. Newly revised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time again published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the help of Christ our Lord) John Fox, which desireth thee good reader to help him with thy prayer.Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.
London: printed by John Daye, 1583London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1583
Book 3 › * King Allured otherwise called Alfred.Book 3 › * King Alured otherwise called Alfrede.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
* King Allured otherwise called Alfred.
* King Alured otherwise called Alfrede.
1Among the Saxon kings hitherto in this history afore mentioned: I find few or none to be preferred (or almost to be compared) to this Allured, 2or Alfred for the great and singular qualities in this king worthy of high renown and commendation. Whether we behold in him the valiant acts, and manifold travails which he continually from time to time sustained against his enemies in wars, during almost all the time of his reign, for the public preservation of his people: Or whether we consider in him, his godly and excellent virtues, joined with a public and tender care, and zealous study; for the common peace and tranquility of the weal public: appearing as well in his prudent laws by him both carefully set forth, and with the like care executed, as also by his own private exercises touching the virtuous institution of his life. Or whether we respect that in him, which with equal praise matcheth with both the other before: That is, his notable knowledge of good letters, with a fervent love and Princely desire, to set forth the same through all his Realm (before his time being both rude and barbarous) All which his heroical properties, joined together in one Prince, as it is a thing most rare, and seldom seen in Princes now a days: so I thought the same the more to be noted and exemplified in this good king. Thereby either to move other rulers and Princes in these our days, to his imitation: or else to show them what hath ben in times past, in their ancestors, which ought to be, and yet is not found in them. Wherefore of these three parts to discourse either part in order, first we will enter to entreat of his acts and painful travails sustained, in defence of the Realm public: against the raging tyranny of the Danes, as they be described in the Latin histories of Rog. Hoveden, and Huntington: 3whom Fabian also seemeth in this part somewhat to follow. King Alfred therefore, first of all the English kings, taking his crown and unction at Rome of Pope Leo (as Malmesberiensis and Polycronicon do record) in the beginning of his reign, perceiving his Lords & people much wasted and decayed, by the reason of the great wars of Ethelred, had against the Danes: yet as well as he could, gathered a strength of men unto him, and in the second month that he was made King, he met with the Danes beside Wilton, where he gave to them battle.