‘A King Across the Sea’: Alfred in Continental Perspective
Janet L. Nelson
I BEGIN with the quotation in my title: ‘Alfred, a king across sea’. It is actually tenth-century label rather than strictly contemporary one: it was used by Flodoard of Rheims c. 960 when he summarized letter sent to Alfred Archbishop Fulk 890. How himself had addressed we don't know. But, according Flodoard, what said ‘amicable’: ex-pressed satisfaction on hearing appointment good man, Plegmund, see Canterbury, because heard that ‘a most perverse sect’ spread among English and Plegmund man cut down. This sect held bishops priests could have women secretly living them anyone who wished mate kinswomen his own family incestuous relations consecrated God wife concubine at same time. ended demonstrating error such views.
Transactions of the Royal Historical Society