The Balla of the White Horse is a poem by G K Chesterton about the idealized exploits of the Saxon King Alfred the Great, published in 1911 AD. Written in ballad form, the work is usually considered an epic poem. The poem narrates how Alfred was able to defeat the invading Danes at the Battle of Ethandune with the aid of the Virgin Mary, and by extension God (as perceived by Christianity). In addition to being a narration of Alfred's military and political accomplishments it is also considered a Catholic allegory.