( Macpherson LullectL 



KING ALFRED THE GREAT 



King Alfred's greatest assets, as far as the naval side of nis 

 reign was concerned, were his appreciation of the necessity of 

 fostering the sea spirit and sea interest, and his ability to turn 

 rather unpromising material to good use. lie used the pirate 

 instincts of his Viking ancestors (o- '/;■ defence of the reahn 

 against their descendants. 



