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