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KING ALFRED AND THE VIKINGS

Truth to Teach

• To appreciate the stability and vision King Alfred brought to Britain

• To look at various legends about Alfred

• Wessex and Danelaw

• The first Christian school, the Alfred jewel and the invention of the candle clock

• Alfred’s contribution to the legal system

Way to Work

1. Review previous lessons

2. Show the children a picture of the white horse carved on the hills near Wantage.
Talk about the legend which says that Alfred’s soldiers carved the horse onto the
chalk hillside.

3. Read the next pages in the Ladybird book on King Alfred telling of his courage and
faith in fighting the Danes and the division of Wessex and Danelaw, also his
achievements in starting the first Christian school. He opened schools for the rich
and the poor. Some children may like to find out more about the opening of their

school.
Encourage the children to find out about the Alfred jewel.

4. By inventing the candle clock Alfred was able to divide his day into three sections of
eight hours. Try using a candle clock marked off in sections to time the children on a

task. Talk about the advantages and disadvantages of candle clocks.

• Slept for eight hours

• Worked for eight hours
• Read books, including the Bible and wrote new books for eight hours

5. Talk about Alfred’s desire for justice for the rich and poor and his contribution to our
legal system.

6. Let the children complete the worksheet, having put some words on the board to help
them.

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