The Namesake, A Story of King Alfred by Hodges, Walter C - 1964

London: G. Bell & Sons Ltd. This is a near fine copy of C. Walter Hodges' 'The Namesake, A Story of King Alfred' in first edition, first printing. London, G. Bell & Sons, 1964. This particular copy is signed by both the author, as an associate signing to Ian Serraillier, and by Serrailier himself. The boards are free from chips and marks and beautifully illustrated. The rough cut text blocks are with slight foxing, particularly at the top, but are overall clean and remain in presentable condition. This copy is without previous owner's ink, aside from that of the author and associate. Overall this is a beautiful copy in near fine, collectable condition.  It begins -- ""I, Alfred the One-legged...being now an old man," and continues in the tradition of the most ancient storytellers to celebrate the victories of a king and the miracles of the holy. Set in the days of King Alfred, his name-sake grew up, in spite of the constant Danish war parties descending on East Anglia and in spite of his amputated leg, to become a trusted secretary to the King. The Danes were all, "Cut, sack, burn, drink and swipe," so the war orphaned Alfred lived with monks and left with them when their monastery was pillaged. The depth of early Christian faith was continually overshadowed by the not wholly abandoned superstitions. The crippled boy fought to conquer his disability and serve as a scribe to the King who shared his name. The dialogue is heroic and the descriptions of battles and raids have visual impact. A vividly detailed recreation of a brutal time with action, adventure and history to hold the boys in thrall. . Near Fine. Hardcover. 1st Edition. 1st Printing. 1964.