Chesterton, Alfred, and The Ballad

G. K. Chesterton, by Ernest Herbert Mills, 1909.

Today we are beginning our study of a different poem, a poem which is written many years later than Beowulf but one that concerns the life Anglo-Saxon culture just as Beowulf does. This new poem concerns the life of what might be the greatest king England has ever seen. But half way through his life this would not be evident, for he was a much battle-weary and much defeated king in his early reign. But he was a stout-hearted and learned king, whose strength lay in the fact that he was a stout-hearted and learned Christian. This is in part why G. K. Chesterton chooses him as the hero of his poem, The Ballad of White Horse, which celebrates the victory over the viking raiders of the 9th century. "Alfred," as Chesterton tells us, "defended the Christian civilization against the heathen nihilism." That is why we remember him. In this poem, Chesterton does not merely recount the nature of an important battle; he illustrates the antithesis between light and darkness and elucidates the stark difference between pagan nihilism and Christian wisdom.   

Agenda:

1. Pray
2. Read "Genius With a Message" by Deb Elkink
3. King Alfred Unit:
1. Who is G. K. Chesterton?
2. Who is Alfred? 
3. What is a ballad?
4. Read and discuss "Prefatory Note" by Chesterton
1. What hath legend to do with history?
5. Review HW: 
1. Be good.