The Ballad of the White Horse

By G.K. Chesterton

By G.K. Chesterton The Ballad of the White Horse is one of the last great epic poems in the English language. On the one hand it describes King Alfred’s battle against the Danes in 878. On the other hand it is a timeless allegory about the ongoing battle between Christianity and the forces of nihilistic heathenism. Filled with colorful characters, thrilling battles and mystical visions, it is as lively as it is profound. Chesterton incorporates brilliant imagination, atmosphere, moral concern, chronological continuity, wisdom and fancy. He makes his stanzas reverberate with sound, and hurries his readers into the heart of the battle. This deluxe volume is the definitive edition of the poem. It exactly reproduces the 1928 edition with Robert Austin’s beautiful woodcuts, and includes a thorough introduction and wonderful endnotes by Sister Bernadette Sheridan, from her 60 years researching the poem. Illustrated. “When Chesterton writes poetry, he excels like no other modern writer. The rhyme, rhythm, alliteration and imagery are a complete joy to the ear. But The Ballad of the White Horse is not just a poem. It is a prophecy.” —Dale Ahlquist, President, The American Chesterton Society “Not only a charming poem and a great tale, this is a keystone work of Christian literature that will be read long after most of the books of our era are forgotten.” —Michael O’Brien, Author, Father Elijah

• Language: English
• Publisher: Start Classics
• Release date: Feb 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781609773496

G.K. Chesterton

G.K. Chesterton (1874–1936) was an English writer, philosopher and critic known for his creative wordplay. Born in London, Chesterton attended St. Paul’s School before enrolling in the Slade School of Fine Art at University College. His professional writing career began as a freelance critic where he focused on art and literature. He then ventured into fiction with his novels The Napoleon of Notting Hill and The Man Who Was Thursday as well as a series of stories featuring Father Brown.

Reviews for The Ballad of the White Horse

[amelia_smith-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Epic poetry is hard, especially for those of us who don't come from a strong oral storytelling tradition. The opening and closing chapters were strong, but in the middle I kind of struggled to keep going with it. I read this on my kindle at night and was also intermittently listening to the Illiad as an audio book in the car. The Ballad of the White Horse didn't compare well -- the timing was just slightly off, and it didn't have the polish of so many, many centuries of re-telling. Still, it was a good effort, and I might try re-reading it in the future.

[scottjpearson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This poem attempts to mark a great historical event in English history. It does so not by chronicling history but by celebrating the human spirit. King Alfred the Great, against all odds, defeated Danish invaders in the year 878. The Battle of Ethandune went a long way in establishing the constitutional unity of an English people. Chesterton, writing over a millennium later, sought to use his prodigious talents to excite the English people to embrace their Christian history as they faced a coming century of a disorderly world.Although the symbolism is clear, the poem is not overtly religious. The main triumph takes place on the battlefield and in the hearts of English soldiers. Chesterton, while outspoken, clearly possesses class and dignity. The Danish invaders represent a world of dark chaos while the English leader Alfred represents a culture of light, song, and rare class (like a white horse). Yes, Alfred represents all that is good on the English isle. And like all good British subjects, they should rally around their monarchical head of state.This poem was picked up in the Battle of Britain in 1940 when the English were again fighting against all odds against the Nazis. Chesterton was used to remind the Brits not only of their ingenuity but also that their personal strength can overcome all odds. Indeed, Churchill – whatever his racist faults were – was a new King Alfred. Belief, faith, and heart are all evoked in this poem, and the verse sought to inspire an island and an Empire in tumult.That same belief, faith, and heart are still needed in the world today. Chesterton reminds us that when wedded to skill, belief has a power that can overcome demagoguery and hollow show. That is true not only of England but also of the human race. Alfred, Chesterton, and England have plenty of faults, but they have also contributed to saving civilization. The battle for such victories lie within, based on personal courage and integrity. With its detailed crafting and human resonance, Chesterton’s poem simply inspires.