The Dragon and The Raven by G. A. Henty

An Introduction and Study Guide

Dec 08, 2023

I have already had the pleasure of introducing you to G. A. Henty before. Such being the case I won’t cover the same ground again other than to reiterate that I think Henty should be read to young men and women everywhere for the sake of teaching both history and Christian virtue. In Henty’s books we see clear pictures of good and evil, virtue and vice, and genuine masculinity and femininity (often contrasted with false examples of the same). He is not shy about pointing his readers to the truth of Christianity and he is not one to pull a punch in critiquing those who fail to live by God’s law. Yet all of this he does with the kind of grace and sincerity that comes from a heart that would see the whole world come to have life in Jesus’ name.

Perhaps nowhere in the Henty canon (of nearly 200 historical-fiction novels) are all these qualities on better display than in The Dragon and The Raven. A story of the Danish invasion of England in the late 9th century A.D., we meet young Edmund who grows throughout the story from the age of 14 to a strong young man and leader of his people. The Saxons were hard pressed at the time by the Danes. Most of the divided kingdoms of Great Britain fell, for a time, completely into their sway.

The story takes place during the reign of King Alfred (The Great) who was for a time forced into hiding because his kingdom (Wessex) was completely overrun with enemies. Alfred was unlike many of the other kings of his day. He won his place in his people’s heart not only by great courage and prowess in war but also because of the great wisdom and learning he had acquired. He was the only man in England at that time, aside from some of the priests, who could read and write in the Latin language. After the repulsion of the Danes he went on to set up just laws to help govern the nation (which became more united under his banner) and he started an educational initiative to increase literacy and learning among his people.

Henty weaves an entertaining fictional narrative in among the real history of these events. He does a masterful job so that it is rather evident when he is writing fiction versus relaying history, but even his fiction keeps the tone of the times well. It is because of the great learning of King Alfred that his men adopted battle classical battle strategies which he had learned from reading the great books of the past. The Danes, who were fierce warriors indeed, could not be beaten by mere show of force so it would come down to tactics in the end. Making use of tactics similar to those that proved so effective for the Roman legions the Saxon began to train their men until they could form a solid wall and roof at a moments notice with their shields and form an impenetrable defense with row upon row of spears. In so doing, relatively small bands of soldiers should cut through vastly superior numbers of enemies. The Danes ferocity, though great, could make no headway against such well disciplined and orderly combat.

In this story you’ll read of exciting land battles, the defense of fortresses under siege, and great high seas adventures. You’ll see the disorganized and impetuous Saxons learn from their defeats and become prudent and battle ready warriors. You will see examples of courage and recklessness, mercy and cruelty, justice and despotism, and countless other great ideas, virtues, and vices from which we may all learn the prudence of what we ought and not to do.

The story also provided the Christian faith as a clear contrast to the pagan worldview. As Edmund tells the young Viking maiden, Freda,

Christianity does not forbid men to defend themselves; for, did it do so, a band of pagans might ravage all the Christian countries in the world. I fight not because I love it. I hate bloodshed, and would rather die than plunder and slay peaceful and unoffending people. You have been in England and have seen the misery which war has caused there. Such misery assuredly I would inflict on none. I fight only to defend myself and my country men and women. Did your people leave our land I would gladly never draw sword again….Our religion teaches us that mere courage is not the highest virtue. It is one possessed as much by animals as by men. Higher virtues than this are kindness, charity, unselfishness, and a desire to benefit our fellow-creatures. These virtues make a man a truer hero than the bravest Viking who ever sailed the seas. Even you, Freda, worshipper of Odin as you are, must see that it is a higher and a better life to do good to your fellow-creatures than to do evil.

As you might imagine, just from this short excerpt alone, the story provides much food for thought (and great prompts for conversation) around how Christians should think and behave when it comes to difficult issues like war and politics. This is one of Henty’s best features, thinking Christianly about things that matter. So pick up a copy and join in the fun, learn some history, gain prudence and insight, and think like a Christian about issues and historical events that matter.

This post is the landing page for the study Guide of G. A. Henty’s The Dragon and The Raven. Below you will find links, as they become available, to discussion questions for each chapter of this book. Please feel free to use them for your own private enjoyment and reflection or in your classroom or homeschool. To see the growing list of completed Study Guides you can click HERE.

Lesson 1: Ch. 1 “The Fugitives”

Lesson 2: Ch. 2 “The Battle of Kesteven”

Lesson 3: Ch. 3 “The Massacre at Croyland”

Lesson 4: Ch. 4 “The Invasion of Wessex”

Lesson 5: Ch. 5 “A Disciplined Band”

Lesson 6: Ch. 6 “The Saxon Fort”

Lesson 7: Ch. 7 “The Dragon”

Lesson 8: Ch. 8 “The Cruise of the Dragon”

Lesson 9: Ch. 9 “A Prisoner”

Lesson 10: Ch. 10 “The Combat”

Lesson 11: Ch. 11 “The Isle of Athelney”

Lesson 12: Ch. 12 “Four Years of Peace”