G. A. Henty 
The Dragon and the Raven: Or The Days of King Alfred 

The Days of King Alfred is another name for The Dragon and the Raven. The story takes place in the late 9th century, under Alfred the Great's leadership. As King Alfred and the fictional figure Ealdorman Edmund battle Danish Viking invaders, the story recounts their exploits. The author of this tale describes the bloody fight for dominance in England between the Saxons and Danes and paints a vivid picture of the suffering and destruction to which the nation was reduced by the ravages of the sea wolves. The protagonist, a young Saxon thane, participates in all of King Alfred's battles. He flees his home, goes to sea and fights the Danes in their own environment. He is present during the protracted and desperate siege of Paris when the Danes are being pursued up the Seine. The Dragon and the Raven by G. A. Henty introduced readers to the sights, sounds, and activities of 9th-century England. This historical fiction work offers an exciting introduction to King Alfred the Great's life and times and is sure to grab the imagination of young readers for decades to come. It weaves the real story of King Alfred with the fictional narrative of Edmund, a young Saxon thane