This book tells the story of a Saxon boy name Turgar who lived at the during the age of Alfred the Great. He was educated at Crowland abbey and was present during its sacking by the Danes. The story tells the details of his life at the abbey and shows how the monasteries were an important part of mediaeval life. After many adventures, Turgar joins the army of Alfred the Great to help keep Britain safe from the Danish invaders. Show All     Download:     PDF       EPUB

LOVINGLY DEDICATED
TO THE MEMORY OF
MY FATHER
FRANCIS VINCENT DARROW

Preface

Our Little Saxon Cousin of Long Ago is a story of the days immediately preceding the ascension of Alfred the Great to the throne of the Saxons. It was a time when the scant learning of the day was confined to the monasteries, and when military zeal was accounted of more worth than mental culture, for England was being constantly invaded, first by one marauding band and then by another.

I have sought, with the aid of the best historical authorities, to give a true and natural portrayal of boy life in the midst of these conditions. Hero-worship on the part of such a boy as Turgar was an inevitable outgrowth of the times, nor could the boys of any age have found a more worthy hero than Alfred, who has well been called "the most perfect character in (secular) history."

I hope that the boys and girls who read this story may count Turgar among their true book friends, and that this friendship may lead them to find out more about the king who was Turgar's ideal, and who through all the years since his reign has borne the title of "The good King Alfred."

JULIA DARROW COWLES

Pronunciation of Proper Names

Ac'ca

Al'fred

Al'gar

As'gard

Dane

Elswitha (elz with'a)

Eth'el red

Ethel wolf

Gy'neth

Gyrth (girth)

Her'i bert

Jo'ly

Norse

O'din

Os'wyn

Sax'on

Sid'roc

The'o dore

Thor

Tur'gar

Vik'ing

With'gar

Wo'den

Wul'stan