Body Paragraph topics: Maturity, religion, cleverness
Alfred Quotes from the Last Kingdom
‘It seemed Alfred had humped a servant girl and, immediately afterward, had been overcome with
physical pain and what he called spiritual torment.’ Pg 79 religion
‘Alfred, I thought, was a pious weakling, a weeping penitent, a pathetic nothing and Ubba smiled as I
described the sobbing prince and the earnest priest.’ Pg 81
‘I was to discover in time that he was a clever man, very clever, and thought twice as fast as most
others, and he was a serious man, so serious that he understood everything except jokes.’ Pg 92 clever
‘Alfred was acclaimed as the new king.’ Pg 172
‘Wessex needed a new leader and so the witan chose Alfred.’ Pg 172 maturity
‘So Alfred, the youngest of six brothers, was now the king of Wessex.’ Pg 172
“You insult me,” he said calmly. “If you wish to take the fortress, then come and take them.” Pg 175
‘Alfred insisted that they could not start until he had attended church.’ Pg 176 religion
‘and warned Guthrum that though the West Saxon king was not an impressive man to look at, he was
undeniably clever.’ Pg 190 clever
“Whatever I discover about my enemies is written down.” Pg 218
“He thinks with his heart, Uhtred,” Alfred said, “not his head. You can change a man’s heart, but not his
head.” Pg 221
‘Instead I accepted his gifts and went south to the coast, and thus he has tucked away a pawn that might
one day be useful.’ Pg 221 clever
“The bastard thinks, earsling, which is more than you or I ever do. He knows what has to be done, and
don’t underestimate him. He can be ruthless.” Pg 247 Maturity
‘In truth she was just another pawn on Alfred’s chessboard…’ Pg 268
‘…Alfred had already ordered that every barn, granary, and storehouse within raiding distance of the
Poole was to be emptied.’ Pg 274 Clever
‘Beocca told me that Alfred spent the winter reading the ancient law codes from Kent, Mercia, and
Wesses…’ Pg 281 Maturity
‘He was proud, and men feared him because of it, and men should fear a lord.’