1. The role of Notre-Dame in the Ballad of the White Horse as described in books I, II and VII. King Alfred of Wessex, 9th-century ruler of southern England, is the main character in GK Chesterton's compelling poem The Ballad of the White Horse. Horse. At a time when pagan Danes threaten to destroy the societal values ​​that Western Europeans have spent centuries building, Alfred, his leaders, and his Christian armies receive inspiration from Our Lady to continue the battle for Christianity . For while Alfred and his armies strive to win the land battle against the Danes, they must also overcome the spiritual battle: abandon attitudes of doubt and despair, so that they can trust God for the strength of Alfred's kingdom . Thus, as an image of majestic beauty, wisdom and feminine power, Our Lady inspires Alfred, his leaders and his Christian armies to remember the goodness of God despite difficult times and to trust in him despite the terrible appearances, which gives them the advantage. the strength to overcome their physical frailty and defeat their enemies. In her first appearance to Alfred, which takes place on the island of Athleney, Our Lady reveals herself as the ultimate image of beauty and ethereal majesty, who reminds Alfred of the goodness of God despite difficult times and inspires him to focus on the importance of winning. spiritual combat, despite a dark image of the future. Alone on a desolate river island, Alfred laments the loss of his beloved kingdom and the apparent abandonment of the men of Wessex by God. So far the Danes have plundered most of the English countryside, desecrated many churches and introduced evil practices. . middle of paper ......usness, despite his prediction of great uncertainty and difficulty, and they agree to fight the Danes to the end. Alfred, overcome by the "unfounded joy of the giants", hurries to deliver Mary's message to the three men who will be essential to her success in the fight against the Danes. The first, Eldred, is a Saxon farmer who wishes to remain among the simple and safe pleasures of everyday life. Although he admires Alfred's courage, he sees no reason to fight the Danes, who have already inflicted such heavy losses on the English. He implored his king, saying, “Why should my harmless hinds be killed? . .[because] in all battles we fail? » (II: 54,57) Alfred, however, encourages Eldred not to focus on victory, but rather on who they are fighting for: for God and for the Christian people who deserve protection against the Danes and their pagan influences..