They were written in Latin and in Saxon, and, of course, as given here, they are translations.

The discrepancies which the reader will observe in the details illustrate well the uncertainty which pertains to all historical accounts that go back to so early an age.
"He led an unquiet life there, at his cow-herd's.

It happened that, on a certain day, the rustic wife of the man prepared to bake her bread.
The king, sitting then near the hearth, was making ready his bow and arrows, and other warlike implements, when the ill-tempered woman beheld the loaves burning at the fire.

She ran hastily and removed them, scolding at the king, and exclaiming, 'You man! you will not turn the bread you see burning, but you will be very glad to eat it when it is done!' This unlucky woman little thought she was addressing the King Alfred." In a certain Saxon history the story is told thus: "He took shelter in a swain's house, and also him and his evil wife diligently served.

It happened that, on one day, the swain's wife heated her oven, and the king sat by it warming himself by the fire.
She knew not then that he was the king.