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King Alfred and the Ice Coffin

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Book Synopsis

Step into the Anglo-Saxon world of King Alfred the Great in a lyrical retelling from a Carnegie Medal-winning author and Kate Greenaway Medal-winning former Children’s Laureate.

Alfred the Great is one of the most iconic rulers in British history and the only one to be known as “Great”. Not only did he mount a fierce resistance against Viking invaders, he was also a keen scholar and collector of stories. He welcomed travellers with a tale to his court, which brings in the intrepid sailor Wulfstan. Wulfstan dazzles Alfred’s court with a story of shipwrecks, horse-racing and a ruler buried in ice.

Kevin Crossley-Holland has translated Wulfstan’s thrilling tale from the Anglo-Saxon into a rhythmic prose poem with lavish artwork by Chris Riddell.

Our Review Panel says...

King Alfred ruled over the West Saxons from his base in the city of Winchester. He travelled widely across his kingdom, taking his court with him. But despite his great responsibilities, he made time to learn another language – Latin. Why? So he could read the many books written (all of them in Latin) about far-flung places and add his own stories from England and Northern Europe to them.

One day, a traveller came to his court with a tale to tell. He told a tale of an epic journey to a distant land where the head of the community had just died. His body was stored in a coffin of ice whilst his people paid their respects and his money was shared, before being ceremoniously burned. The traveller then travelled back to England, taking his story with him.

This is a beautiful and vivid retelling of a real account recorded on behalf of King Alfred. Chris Riddell’s illustrations are stunningly atmospheric and bring to life an ancient tale. A great book to share with a class, especially when studying Saxon times.