Alfred of Wessex, Book One: Inheritance by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter 16

The warriors had dealt with any further Danes who had not made it back to the safety of the ramparts guarding Reading. Now Ethelred and Alfred stood looking toward those ramparts and spoke quietly to each other.

"Alfred. I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I don't think I've trusted you with enough. You did well back there at Ashdown."

Alfred did not know what to say and so said nothing. Ethelred went on, "I maybe rely too much on other people. You're younger than me. Always the little brother. I'll do what I can to change things."

"Thank you. I know that some of the decisions you have to make are hard. I will help in any way I can." He hesitated. "There is one thing I'd like to talk to you about."

"Go on."

"You've bound yourself to heed the 'advice' of the Ealdormen of Somerset and Hampshire. I don't think their advice is necessarily unselfish."

Ethelred pulled at his beard, thinking. He said slowly, "The Ealdorman of Berkshire said the same, and really I agree. But what can I do? They're the most powerful Ealdormen of Wessex."

"Did my uncle have a suggestion?"

"Yes, he said that I should reiterate before the Council that you are my heir. He said that if I should die, they might press for one of my sons to be made King, with themselves as the real powers. Do you think that's a possibility?"

"It's hard for me to say, without sounding as though I'm grasping for the Kingdom at the expense of your sons."

"I would never put it that way. I swore before God that you would be my heir. Even if my sons were full-grown men, that is the oath I made. I love my sons, but God is the witness to that oath. So I will do as your uncle suggested. Alfred, I'll call a Council meeting for this afternoon. Be there, won't you?"

Alfred nodded. "Very well. And thank you."

Ethelred smiled ruefully. "I'm not sure you have much to thank me for. It's a bit of a mess, really, isn't it? But with God's help, Wessex will survive. Now leave me for a while. I must pray before we meet with the Council.

~~~

"My father's intention was that all his sons should be King after him, so that full-grown men should inherit the Kingdom in these times of danger."

Ethelred was speaking to the Ealdormen and Bishops of his Council and to Alfred. Ealdorman Wulfhere had his sons with him. Dritwald was looking on from behind the King.

They were standing not so far off from the ramparts of Reading. Above them all, grey clouds scudded across the sky and it was cold.

The King had their full attention now and he went on, "That was the arrangement made in my father's will." He waited a moment, but there were no interruptions. It was clear that something important was to be said to them. "I wish to state before this Council that I confirm my father's will."

There was some murmuring from Wulfhere's sons and they moved to stand either side of their father.

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