The Dragon and The Raven 5

Study Guide Questions for Ch. 5 “A Disciplined Band”

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

Prudence, Justice, Loyalty

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. To what biblical story did King Alfred refer when speaking with Edmund?

2. What was the response of the Thanes in Edmund’s earldom to the King’s call for men to fight the Danes?

3. What deal did Edmund strike with his Thanes concerning developing a fighting force?

4. What kind of formation and drills did Edmund teach his men?

5. What did Edmund and his men do to take Haffa and his men off guard?

6. What reputation did Edmund and his men gain among the Danes because of their superstitious natures?

7. What were at least three things that Edmund and his men did which were effective in fighting the Danes in the open field?

8. What did Edmund command the people of his earldom to do when he learned that the Danes were marching into his own territory?

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

1. Edmund’s Thanes make an inductive argument as to why they should not heed the king’s call for men to fight against the Danes. An inductive argument reasons from the relevant information of a situation while attempting to draw some conclusion from the given information. What are at least three facts (premises) which were given in support of the conclusion offered to Edmund that “it is useless to fight against the Danes”?

2. Why was Egbert’s suggestion a good one which caused “gladness and contentment throughout the earldom”?

3. Why was the night attack against Haffa and his men at Bristowe so effective?

4. Why is the “wedge” formation so effective against the Danes in the open field?

5. Why was the “defensive” and the “attacking” strategy slightly different in the wedge formation?

6. Why were the Danes not quick to attack the fort once they discovered it?

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

1. Do you agree or disagree with Edmund’s Thanes as to their argument about not fighting the Danes? Why?

2. Edmund employs “guerrilla warfare” tactics which involve irregular battle strategies including sudden attacks, nighttime attacks, and the use of misdirection and deception. Typically these are used by a smaller band of troops against a larger force. What do you think about the ethics of these kinds of tactics? Is there an obligation in warfare to attack openly and to follow the typical conventions of warfare? Why or why not?

3. Which of the virtues or great ideas would you say is most prominent in this chapter? Define the concept and give one good example of it.

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Read 1 Peter 3:18-22. In what ways might we make some comparisons to what Edmund is doing by building his ship with what Peter says in his epistle about Noah and the ark? How might we contrast it and point out some differences?