One of the most well-known folk-tales of early English history is the story of Alfred and the cakes. This story takes place in the darkest days of Wessex, as the Danes advanced inexorably and Alfred and his forces were in retreat. Here this traditional tale is told by The Right Hon. HO Arnold-Forster in A History of England, published about a hundred years ago:

Alfred, deserted by his army, was forced to take refuge in flight from his fierce enemies. For a long time he lived with a few of his most faithful folowers in the marshes near Athelney, in Somerset. At last, in order to escape being taken and killed by the Danes he was obliged to dress himself up as a peasant, and to serve a shepherd who lived in alittle hut among th emarshes of Athelney.

It is at this period of Alfred's life that the famous story is told of King Alfred and the cakes. The shepherd's wife little suspected who the forsaken stranger that did the humble work of the homestead really was. One day she bade the king watch a batch of cakes that were being cooked before the fire. He was to be sure not to forget to turn them from time to time, so that they might not become burnt. But Alfred's thoughts were far way. He was shaping a bow, and thinking of the day when he might once more lead his West Saxons into battle. The shepherd's wife returned, and finding her precious cakes burned and spoiled, gave her unahppy servant a sound rating and a beating for his negligence. To such a strait had the king been brought.