The Political Thought of King Alfred the Great by David Pratt
Leanne Good
REVIEWS 311 David Pratt, The Political Thought of King Alfred the Great (Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press 2007) 413 pp. most recent contribution to series Studies in Medieval Life Thought, Pratt’s study explores translations from Latin Old English associated with Alfred’s court. These vernacular are unusual their attribution a king. Pratt argues that both message text, act translation itself, were part discourse political thought emanating Alfred, which placed him at center “rightful authority.” R. H. C. Davis stated scholars had liberate themselves Alfredian sources order see as he really was (2). takes opposite view, claiming displays thinking, directed by promoting consistent on uses legitimate power, these texts reveal understood himself his role Angul-Saxonum rex (106). royal promote power based Gregorian ideal rulership service, monitored self-control, Solomonic model desire for wisdom above all other gifts. saw need divine knowledge , required accessible followers; therefore added prose courtly educational program. inventive translations, claim authorship, learned kingship, interconnected. draws work Foucault Bourdieu emphasize language reinforcing social groups norms; also references Norbert Elias, Matthew Innes, Karl Leyser exercise rulership. He suggests not only do form larger rulership, but that, society communication main tool they could substitute institutional means rule. In Part I, how West Saxon operated, investigating its economic base, roles secular ecclesiastical aristocrats who held office, between king thegns. kingship been consolidated grandfather Ecgberht (802–839) father Æthelwulf (839–858), exploited expanding commercial resources taxing markets. Royal monopolies such tolls, fines, mints, land shared thegnly beneficiaries. early Wessex, thegns landed agents, estates own while remaining members household. They might serve reeves, overseeing king’s properties, or ealdormen, entrusted regional responsibilities over shire. instances responsible keeping peace dispute settlement local courts. divided into three cohorts, each spending one month Attendance court enabled contact thegns; addition, gift-giving, iconographic metalwork land, cemented ties. basis aristocratic land. Bookland conveyed charter (in contrast folkland, orally). Originally introduced purposes, it soon adapted nobility, advantage conveying ownership perpetuity freedom alienation. Æthelwulf’s Second Decimation 854, booked tenth freeing usual obligations land-holding. describes this “strategic tax-cut” encourage co-operation defense. Bridge maintenance 312 border duty long formed military service tied reign Æthelbald (855–860), charters began add fortress-work two burdens. situates innovations context increased Viking activity . As raiding developed warfare period 865–877, Northumbria, East Anglia, eastern Mercia fell control. kingdom transformed defensive needs: network fortified centers (burhs) organized, well system army rotation construction bridges force Vikings overland. This achievement relied landholders, key success persuading them...
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