Biography of Alfred the Great

Biography of Alfred the Great

Alfred was the king of Wessex (871–899), a Saxon kingdom in southwest England. He was born in 849 and passed away in 899. He encouraged reading and learning while keeping England safe from the Danes. Around 890, during his reign, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle’s compilation got underway.

Biography of Alfred the Great

Early Life

Southwest England was home to the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex, where Alfred was born. Raised as a royal, Alfred was the son of Aethelwulf, King of Wessex. But it seemed unlikely that he would become king at all because he had four elder brothers.

Alfred was a bright youngster who enjoyed learning and committing poems to memory. When he was a child, he went to Rome and met the pope. Alfred was appointed an honorary consul of Rome by the pope.

When Alfred’s father passed away in 858, his brother Aethebald ascended to the throne. His remaining older brother, Aethelred, was crowned king after his siblings passed away over the course of the following few years.

Fighting the Vikings

For the most of Alfred’s life, England had been subjected to Viking raids. With the exception of Wessex, the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were all subjugated by the Vikings by 870. Alfred took over as his brother’s deputy. During the Battle of Ashdown, he led the Wessex army to a stunning victory.

Becoming King

The Vikings persisted in their attacks in 871. Following the death of Aethelred, Alfred’s brother, in a battle, Alfred was anointed king. Alfred repelled the Vikings during the course of the following few years. He believed that they had at last attained some sort of peace after numerous conflicts.

Alfred and his army became the targets of a surprise invasion in 878 by the Danish King Guthrum. Alfred got away, but he had very few soldiers with him. He made his way to Athelney, where he prepared his counteroffensive. Many of the men in Wessex had grown weary of the Vikings‘ relentless raids and attacks. They gathered at Athelney to support Alfred, and the king soon possessed a formidable force once more.

Burning of the Cakes Legend

Alfred’s mythology describes his escape from the Vikings. He once sought safety in the house of an elderly peasant woman who was unaware that he was the monarch. When the peasant lady had to go outside to tend to the animals, she was in the middle of baking cakes. She requested Alfred keep an eye on the cakes. Alfred neglected to keep an eye on the cakes and they burned since his thoughts were so focused on the conflict. Upon her return, the peasant woman chastised him for failing to observe the cakes correctly.

Peace with the Vikings

Alfred counterattacked the Vikings with his newly formed army. Regaining control of his castle at Chippenham, he vanquished King Guthrum. The Vikings were then forced to become Christians by him, and he signed a peace deal allowing them to stay in eastern Britain. The Danelaw was the name of the Viking territory.

Ruling as King

Although Alfred was an excellent leader in combat, he may have been even more so in peacetime. After the Vikings had made peace, Alfred set about reestablishing his dominion.

The English educational system had all but vanished as the country concentrated its efforts on driving out the Vikings. Alfred established schools and renovated monasteries because he understood the value of education. He even did his own Latin to English translations of certain famous books.

Among the major changes and advancements Alfred brought to his realm were the construction of forts across the nation, the establishment of a potent fleet, and the immigration of skilled European artisans and academics to England. In addition, he created a national legal code.

Death

Alfred died in 899 and was succeeded by his son Edward. It would be his grandson Aethelstan who would be called the first King of England.

Biography of Alfred the Great

Facts about Alfred the Great

• Despite being very courageous and a great leader, Alfred was physically a sickly and frail man. He struggled with illness most of his life.
• He is the only English ruler to be called “the Great”.
• Alfred divided his army into two groups. One group would stay home with their families while the other group guarded the borders from Viking raids.
• Alfred was called “King of the English” on his coins.
• Alfred captured London in 886 and rebuilt much of the city.
• Legend says that Alfred once disguised himself as a minstrel and snuck into a Viking war camp to spy on them.

Read also: Vikings: History and Facts