G.K. Chesterton's The Ballad of the White Horse is an epic poem that chronicles the struggle of Saxon King Alfred the Great against Danish Viking invaders in the 9th century. The poem serves as an allegory for the eternal battle between Christian civilization and pagan nihilism. The story begins with England nearly completely overrun by the Danes, and King Alfred is hiding on the island of Athelney. In his despair, he receives a vision of the Virgin Mary, who advises him to have faith and joy without expecting certain victory, but because it is the right thing to do.