John, or Asserius Menevensis (Asser of St David's), was born in Pembrokeeshire in South Wales, and educated in the monastery of St David's by the Archbishop Asserius, who, according to Leland, was his kinsman. In this monastery he became a monk, and by his assiduous application soon acquired universal fame as a person of profound learning and great abilities. King Alfred, the munificent patron of genius, about the year 880 sent for him to court and made him his preceptor and companion. As a reward for his services, he appointed him abbot of two or three different monasteries; and at last promoted him to the episcopal see of Sherburn, where he died and was buried in the year 910. He was, says Pitts, a man of happy genius, wonderful modesty, extensive learning, and great integrity of life. He is said to have been principally instrumental in persuading the king to restore the university of Oxford to its pristine dignity and lustre. He wrote the life of Alfred (De Vita et Rebus Gestis Alfredi), first published by Archbishop Parker in the old Saxon character, at the end of Walsingham's Hist. Lond. 1574. It was reprinted at Frankfort in 1603, in folio, and in 8vo at Oxford in 1722. Various other works are ascribed to Asser by Pitts and Leland.