78 Pieces of Advice from a Medieval King

Article excerpt

King Aldfrith of Northumbria, an eighth-century English ruler known for his scholarly interests, left behind 78 maxims offering guidance on friendship, learning, peace, and success. These aphorisms, preserved in medieval manuscripts, reveal how a literate king approached practical wisdom and governance. Topics range from choosing trustworthy companions to the value of education and conflict resolution. The maxims reflect both the practical concerns of medieval leadership and the intellectual culture Aldfrith cultivated during his reign. Scholars have long mined these sayings for insight into Anglo-Saxon values and the mindset of a ruler who valued books as much as battles.