Charles Dickens recounts the legend of how King Alfred disguised himself as a minstrel, and spied out the camp of Guthrum’s Great Army before trouncing it in 878. His ruse showed him their strength, their weapons and their battle plans, and after his victory Alfred was able to keep them pinned down for a fortnight.

Eventually the Danes surrendered, and Alfred showed his qualities as a Christian king by agreeing peace. In return, Guthrum was baptised, and he and his men settled down to peaceful lives thereafter. Dickens liked to think of English and Danish children playing together, and of old adversaries fondly remembering Alfred as a king who deserved the title ‘Great’.

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