re prized possessions, and the law protected them fiercely. The ancient laws made unauthorized intrusions into the home a serious crime, called hamfare. They also punished house violence more severely than street violence. Alfred treated violations of this peace with great severity as an offense against himself (Knight 12).King Alfred was one of the greatest leaders in wartime and in peace. Alfred received the title 'the great', for being so powerful and influential during his reign as king. Alfred was known as "the founder of the English nation." King Alfred the Great achieved many great military and political successes during his reign, but more importantly through his dedication to the teaching of the liberal arts, he helped preserve the literary tradition of the Anglo-Saxons (Appletoft 2).Education declined because the Danes had looted monasteries and churches, the only centers of learning. Few, even among the clergy could read or write. Alfred brought teachers and learned men to Wessex from Wales, northern England, and Europe. He himself helped translate books from Latin to Anglo-Saxon. Alfred's appreciation for education began very early in his life. In 853 Alfred was sent to see Pope Leo IV in Rome, for instruction. This instruction, no doubt, focused on religion rather than on the liberal arts. This trip to Rome helped Alfred realize the effects the Church has in education. Alfred would fully acknowledge this role when he becomes king (Appletoft 5). Behind all those daily labors and secular duties of Alfred which we have followed in this book lay always his devotion to his faith, not only in word and in offering, but in practice (Duckett 193). Every morning he was in his place at Mass; regularly he observed the Hours of the church; often he was found at night in his chapel, absorbed in solitary prayer, reciting psalms from his "Handbook" (Duckett 194). So important to Alfred was the ability to read and write tha...
