Alfred who could see his own hardships and triumphs presented as reflections of such illustrious forebears, particularly in the depths of exile and uncertainty which he shared with David and Edwin. Because Alfred was restored from exile to regain control of Wessex and England, Asser was able to portray the experience as the typological king’s fulfillment of Old Testament rulers. He was also able to portray the king as a Christ-like figure who had endured great hardships while in Somerset before successfully stemming the Viking threat to England and reasserting himself as ruler over Wessex-controlled England. By portraying the Vikings as pagan counterparts to the English, Asser emphasized the unity of the English under a pious king who ruled with both dynastic and Christian legitimacy. The promotion of Christian unity in narrative is heightened by the theme of Asser’s dislocation present in the binding the king and his people through shared hardship Life, and eventual elevation. That the king established a new Covenant with God by including Mosaic Law in his own legislation promotes the idea that Alfred and his advisors wished to portray the English as chosen people (or, as Christians, among chosen), God’s God’s further legitimizing claims to divinely appointed authority. Asser thus reveals Alfred’s through his narrative that the concepts of unity, election and Christian kingship were well in place in the Anglo-Saxon royal court by the time of his writing in 893. I have discussed how comments and descriptions of foreigners and Asser’s pilgrims in the life contributed to a theme of dislocation in the Descriptions of royal Life. exiles also contributed to theme, and perhaps suggest the preoccupation Asser’s author’s with the subject. The removals of Berhtwulf, Osberht and Burgred are all discussed in the narrative, as is the coup against Charles the Fat in Francia. Wrongful removal of these kings explains later ailments afflicting their respective kingdoms and suggests that God’s interest in kingship was not exclusive to Alfred. The concerns about royal exile author’s
Alfred who could see his own hardships and triumphs presented as reflections of such illustrious forebears, particularly in the depths of exile and uncertainty which he shared with David and Edwin. Because Alfred was restored from exile to regain control of Wessex and England, Asser was able to portray the king’s experience as the typological fulfillment of Old Testament rulers. He was also able to portray the king as a Christ-like figure who had endured great hardships while in Somerset before successfully stemming the Viking threat to England and reasserting himself as ruler over Wessex-controlled England. By portraying the Vikings as pagan counterparts to the English, Asser emphasized the unity of the English under a pious king who ruled with both dynastic and Christian legitimacy. The promotion of Christian unity in Asser’s narrative is heightened by the theme of dislocation present in the Life, binding the king and his people through shared hardship and eventual elevation. That the king established a new Covenant with God by including Mosaic Law in his own legislation promotes the idea that Alfred and his advisors wished to portray the English as God’s chosen people (or, as Christians, among God’s chosen), further legitimizing Alfred’s claims to divinely appointed authority. Asser thus reveals through his narrative that the concepts of unity, election and Christian kingship were well in place in the Anglo-Saxon royal court by the time of his writing in 893. I have discussed how Asser’s comments and descriptions of foreigners and pilgrims in the life contributed to a theme of dislocation in the Life. Descriptions of royal exiles also contributed to Asser’s theme, and perhaps suggest the author’s preoccupation with the subject. The removals of Berhtwulf, Osberht and Burgred are all discussed in the narrative, as is the coup against Charles the Fat in Francia. Wrongful removal of these kings explains later ailments afflicting their respective kingdoms and suggests that God’s interest in kingship was not exclusive to Alfred. The author’s concerns about royal exile
Final%20PhD%20Submission%20with%20Corrections%20-%20William%20White.docx