Chapter Alexander and Clitus to Alfred as a Gleeman of A by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Alfonso, in Walpole’s tale called The Castle of Otranto, appears as an apparition in the moonlight, dilated to a gigantic form (1769).

Alfonso XI. of Castile, whose “favourite” was Leonora de Guzman.—Donizetti: La Favorita (an opera, 1842).

Alfonso (Don), of Seville, a man of 50 and husband of donna Julia (twenty-seven years his junior), of whom he was jealous without cause.—Byron: Don Juan, i.

Alfred as a Gleeman. Alfred, wishing to know the strength of the Danish camp, assumed the disguise of a minstrel, and stayed in the Danish camp for several days, amusing the soldiers with his harping and singing. After he had made himself master of all he required, he returned back to his own place.—William of Malmesbury (twelfth century).

William of Malmesbury tells a similar story of Anlaf, a Danish king, who, he says, just before the battle of Brunanburh, in Northumberland, entered the camp of king Athelstan as a gleeman, harp in hand; and so pleased was the English king that he gave him gold. Anlaf would not keep the gold, but buried it in the earth.