The forms used in this work are for the most part those employed by West Saxons in the age of AElfred.
A few examples of the language as written at three periods will enable the reader to form some idea of its relation to the existing type.

The first passage cited is from King AElfred's translation of Orosius; but it consists of the opening lines of a paragraph inserted by the king himself from his own materials, and so affords an excellent illustration of his style in original English prose.

The reader is recommended to compare it word for word with the parallel slightly modernised version, bearing in mind the inflexional terminations.
Ohthere saede his hlaforde, | Othhere said [to] his lord, AElfrede cyninge, thaet he | AElfred king, that he of all ealra Northmonna northmest | Northmen northmost abode.
bude.

He cwaeth thaet he | He quoth that he abode bude on thaem lande northweardum | on the land northward against with tha West-sae.

| the West Sea.