The “(Anglo-)Saxons, Our Ancestors”, “Our Alfred” and the “Saxon Language”: Coleridge’s Ideological Appraisal of the Early English Past

Coleridge defined Alfred the Great as “our great king” and the Early English people as “the (Anglo)Saxons, our ancestors”. He showed an interest in the historical and philological roots of the English language, viewing Old English (“Anglosaxon”) as a pure language. This chapter examines Coleridge’s reflection on the governance of King Alfred in comparison to the political landscape of Romantic-era England. It also explores Coleridge’s tendency to exalt a far-flung cultural heritage characterized by the ideals of freedom and learning that prevailed during King Alfred’s reign.