On this day in 899, Alfred the Great died in Winchester. Alfred was a scholar-king who believed that literacy was essential to the strength and freedom of his people. He personally translated (or closely supervised the translation of) major Latin works into Old English so that ordinary free men could read them. He is the only English monarch in history to be given the epithet "the Great". “I desired to live worthily as long as I lived, and to leave after my life, to the men who should come after me, the memory of me in good works.”

It's easy to talk bravely when you know you won't be the one added to the meat grinder.