The Dragon and The Raven 3

Study Guide Questions for Ch. 3 “The Massacre at Croyland”

If you are looking for the beginning of the study for G. A. Henty’s The Dragon and The Raven then you can go HERE for a brief introduction. At the bottom of the introduction you will find the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. If you would like to see the growing list of book studies available for free on this site you can go HERE. Enjoy!

Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Providence, Valor, Sorrow/Grief, Faith, Courage, Hospitality, Fear, Despair, Justice, Prudence, Decorum, Doubt

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. What did Egbert describe as being “well-nigh a miracle”?

2. What made up the contents of Edmund and Egbert’s evening meal after the battle?

3. What did Edmond’s uncle, the abbot, decide to do in light of the coming Danish invaders?

4. How many Saxons survived the attack on the abbey at Croyland?

5. What happened to Hulba’s brother and what did he do as a result of this?

6. Why, according to the text, did Edmund and Egbert decide to stop accepting hospitality in people’s homes during their journey?

7. How are King Ehtelred and his brother, Alfred, described (both physically and concerning their character)?

8. What were the king and the prince doing when Edmund and Egbert came into the palace?

9. What did Alfred criticize concerning the decision of the brave Saxon leaders who gave their lives in battle against the Danes?

10. What did prince Alfred offer to be for Edmund?

11. What did King Ethelred grant to Edmund?

12. What surprised Edmund about the royal residence and the manner of life within it?

13. What did Edmund persuade the men under his leadership that they should do in preparation for the future?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. Why did Theodore (the abbot) stay at the Abbey when he knew that everyone was likely to be killed?

2. Why did Sidroc save Turgar from death?

3. The text tells us, “The travellers approached the royal residence. The gates were open, and none hindered their entrance, for all who had business were free to enter the royal presence and to lay their complaints or petitions before the king.” What does this say about the kind of ruler they have in Wessex?

4. What might we infer from Alfred’s words about studying and war concerning that which is necessary for civilization to thrive and advance?

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. Egbert expressed, “I would rather have died with the heroes on that field.” What do you think about this sentiment? Is it a just sentiment or is it wrongheaded to think like this? Explain your answer.

2. Alfred speaks some tough words about the decision made by Algar and the other Saxon Thanes stating that they threw “away their lives” when they should have retreated and lived to fight another day. Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

3. There are several good examples of the virtue of Prudence in this chapter. Give at least two of them and explain why they are, in fact, good examples of being prudent.

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Read Matthew 12:22-32. What principle in Jesus’ teaching here seems to also be a theme in our book which explains why the Saxons have not been able to stop the Danish invaders so far?