ALFRED

So completely had learning decayed in England that there were very few men on this side of the Humber who could apprehend their services in English or even translate a letter from Latin to English... There were so few of them that I cannot recollect a single one South of the Thames when I succeeded to the kingdom.

We must bring it to pass ... if we have the peace that all the youth now in England, born of free men who have the means that they can apply to it, may be devoted to learning ... until such time as they can read well what is written in England.

We must bring it to pass ... if we have the peace that all the youth now in England, born of free men who have the means that they can apply to it, may be devoted to learning ... until such time as they can read well what is written in England.

So completely had learning decayed in England that there were very few men on this side of the Humber who could apprehend their services in English or even translate a letter from Latin to English... There were so few of them that I cannot recollect a single one South of the Thames when I succeeded to the kingdom.