Alfred, succeeded his brother Æthelred as King of Wessex in April 871. Both he and his brother were sons of King Æthelwulf. The only English King called "The Great," Alfred is renowned both for his ability as a war leader and for his love of learning. He can be counted with Charlemagne, as one of the two most outstanding rulers of the 9th century. Alfred was crowned king at Winchester, 871; founded the British Navy, organized the militia, compiled a code of laws, built schools and monasteries, and invited scholars to live at his court. He was a good scholar and translated many books.
Alfred was the first English monarch to plan systematically for the defense of his realm against the Danes, with whom he was almost constantly at war from 876 until the end of his life. He was also the first monarch of an English Kingdom to become a symbol and focus of national unity. Although effective ruler only of Wessex and English Mercia, he was regarded as the protector of all the English living under Danish rule.
At that time, the Vikings, or Danes, who had invaded England in 793, were pushing to take Wessex. They had already defeated East Anglia, Northumbria and Mercia. However, Alfred was successful in his bid to defeat the Vikings at the battle of Edington, and Wessex did not fall under Danish rule. He prevented the Danish conquest of England, defeating them at Edington (878) after a campaign of guerrilla warfare. After his victory he allowed the Danes to keep their conquests in Mercia and East Anglia provided that Guthrum, their King, was converted to Christianity. Alfred built a navy of Warships to defend the south coast against further Danish invasions (885-86 ;892-96) and protected Wessex with a chain of fortifications. He took London (886), this gaining control of all England except the Danish areas. This led to general English recognition of his leadership. After his death, however, Wessex and Mercia were still unable to expel the Danes from England.
A learned layman, Alfred tried to ensure that his country men had the opportunity to become literate. To that end, he relied upon the bishops of the Anglo-Saxon church both to teach and to seek out students. Alfred himself translated into Anglo-Saxon the Pastoral Care of Pope Gregory I, Orosius' Seven Books of History against the Pagans, Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy, (possibly) the Ecclesiastical History of the Venerable Bede, and part of St. Augustine of Hippo's Soliloquies. To each of these except the fourth he added his own commentary. Alfred's military victories saved English culture and national identity from destruction, and his intellectual activities began the education of his people in the Latin heritage.Ref: Academic American Encyclopedia RASC 1-15. (ASC 853,871,891,894,897,901;DNB, I 153-162; Asser:Life of Alfred).
During his reign, Alfred bettered his kingdom and the lives of his subjects. He originated the system of burhs which emerged in England: fortified towns were located such that no one lived more than 20 miles from one, meaning that they could reach safety in a day's marching. Thirty burhs existed during the time, and many of them still survive today. A total of 27,000 men were required to defend the burhs, and the fact that they did defend them is a testament to Alfred's organizational and military skills. The army was also revamped under him, and Alfred had new ships built in order to meet the Danes at sea.
One of Alfred's greatest contributions to his people was his interest in educating them. To this end he issued a law-code, he brought scholars to Wessex, he translated books, himself, from Latin to (Old) English, and he likely ordered the writing of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a history of the Anglo-Saxons which would be updated each year. One of Alfred's laws reads as follows:
"If anyone ties up an innocent ceorl, he is to pay him 10 shillings compensation. If anyone whips him he is to pay him 20 shillings compensation. If he places him in the stocks, he is to pay him 30 shillings compensation."
[S2987] Ashley, Mike, Ashley-1999, (Carroll & Graf Publishers, Inc. New York: 1999), p 298, 468, 473 (Troverdighet: 3).
[S2989] Hidle, Johannes & Løland, Jacob Sverre, Hidle-1972, (1972: Dreyer Aksjeselskap, Stavanger).
[S2983] Ferguson, June, Ferguson-1998, (14 Jun 1998).
[S2984] Fettes, Ian, Fettes-2001, (Feb 2001: Australia) (Troverdighet: 3).
Tompsett, Brian. Royal and Noble Genealogy. (http://www.dcs.hull.ac.uk). Oct 1996 and later.
[S3001] Weis, Frederick Lewis, Weis-1992, (Genealogical Publishing Co, Baltimore: 1992), p 2 (Troverdighet: 3).
[S2985] Markhus, Bjørn, Markhus-2000, (Norway: 2000) (Troverdighet: 3).
The Royal Line of Succession.The British Monarchy from Cerdic. (Patrick W. Montague-Smith. Late Editor, Debrett's Peerage.,).
Ca 849 - 899 (50 år)
