Figure 1.--Here an older Alfred as king is depicted visiting a monastary. Alfred took a major interest in learning. At the time, the only schools in England were at monastaries or cathedrals. Alfred was onlyb50nyers old when he died, but left ahuge historical legacy.

Few of the Anglo-Saxon kings were of major historical importance. One was, however, central to English history. Alfred of Wessex is the only English sovereign bearing the title 'Great' and some consider him the first actual English king. We know a great deal about King Alfred as a result of a chronicle written by Asser, Bishop of Sherborne which unusual for the period was during Alfred's life span (about 888). Only one of the Anglo Saxon kingdoms, Wessex under Alfred managed to resist the Danish (Viking) onslaught. Alfred is a pivotal figure in English history. Without him the history of England would have been very different. Under Alfred the small independent kingdom of Wessex would provide the Anglo-Saxon kernel for modern England. Alfred was a scholar-philosopher in a time in which often near barbaric war lords ruled. He was also a devoted Christian. The Danish armies had smashed Mercia, Northumbria, and East Anglia and almost succeeded in conquering Wessex as well. Alfred's military campaigns are the source of epic legends, but they laid the foundation for today's England. He is best know for his military exploits which essentially created England. Alfred was an unlikely king. He was the fourth, perhaps the fifth, son of Aethelwulf, king of the Wessex. Fifth sons rarely become kings. The Danes after smashing the other Anglo -Saxon kingdoms struck at Wessex with a youthful Aethelred on the throne--choosing a moment of weakness (870). Aethelred and Alfred defended their kingdom. There was a success at Ashdown (871). But the Danes gradually wore down the Wessex forces. Alfred became king (872), but the Danes defeated his army and Alfred had to flee into the the Somerset marshes, surviving but only able to maintain a guerrilla campaign. He slowly rebuilt his army and defeated the Danes at the Battle of Edington (878). Alfred made peace with the Danish king, Guthrum, their king,. Alfred oversaw Guthrum's baptism. Alfred 's victory took his control well beyond the borders of Wessex. Alfred skillfully negotiated a treaty with the Danes, essentially dividing the country in two. The north and the east (between the Rivers Thames and Tees) would become known as the Dane Law. Alfred thus gained jurisdiction over West Mercia and Kent in addition to Wessex. Over time, Alfred's successors would gain control of the Dane Law, creating England. Alfred was, however, much more than a war lord. He also introduced codified law to a largely barbaric and deeply fragmented people. Given the importance of English law in history, not the least to the United States, this can be a seminal step. And Alfred promoted education at a time in which education and literacy was still primarily the preserve of the church.

Created: 3:02 AM 12/27/2024
Last updated: 3:02 AM 12/27/2024