Alfred, born in 849AD became the only English monarch to be called, ‘Great’. His early ‘education’ consisted of wrestling, running, hunting, singing bawdy songs and drinking Saxon ale! But he became ashamed and horrified about his wrong thoughts and deeds. He prayed, “To Thee I call who cleanses all our sins.” God did indeed answer this prayer.
When he became king at 22 his people were miserable because brutality, rape and drunkenness were rife. But Alfred made good laws based on the Ten Commandments. Gradually through this Bible teaching the coarse Saxon lifestyle gave way to Christian gentleness.