A History of England
Alfred the Great (848?–899)
The course of English history would have been very different without King Alfred, renowned both as a statesman and a warrior. He is justly called "the Great."
The Saxon Kingdoms and Alfred's Rise
During Alfred's time, England consisted of four small Saxon kingdoms, with Wessex in the south being the strongest. Born around 848, Alfred was the youngest son of Ethelwulf, king of Wessex. Though Alfred was a scholar at heart and often in frail health, he showed remarkable leadership and courage.
In his youth, Alfred fought alongside his brother Ethelred against Danish invaders. When Ethelred died in 871, the 23-year-old Alfred, already trusted by the army, was acclaimed king. By this time, the Danish Vikings had ravaged Northumbria, Mercia, and East Anglia, leaving Wessex as the last Saxon stronghold.
The Struggle Against the Danes
Alfred led the Saxons in their fight against the Danes, inspiring courage and resistance. In the winter of 877, Wessex faced its worst crisis when the Danish king Guthrum invaded. Alfred suffered a defeat at Chippenham during Christmas of 878 and was forced into hiding.
However, Alfred regrouped and, a few months later, forced Guthrum to surrender at Chippenham. The treaty that followed established the Thames River and Watling Street as the boundary between Alfred's kingdom and the Danish-controlled lands to the north. Though this treaty did not ensure permanent peace, Alfred's resilience ultimately caused the Danes to retreat. By 896, they abandoned their efforts to claim southern England.
Alfred’s Contributions Beyond the Battlefield
Alfred was not only a defender of his kingdom but also a visionary leader who sought to improve the cultural and legal framework of his people:
- Law and Order: He collected and revised the kingdom’s old laws.
- Cultural Revival: Recognizing the decline of Latin literacy among the clergy, Alfred invited scholars from abroad to educate his people. He also established a school modeled on Charlemagne's Palace School.
- Translations: Alfred participated in translating important texts from Latin to English, ensuring accessibility for his people. The 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle,' a vital historical record, likely began under his direction.
- Economic Development: He encouraged industries, rebuilt London, and strengthened the kingdom's infrastructure.
Legacy
Alfred died in 899 at the age of about 51. Though he ruled less than half of England, his legacy as a unifier and cultural pioneer endures. His successors, including his son Edward the Elder, eventually extended Saxon rule over all of England, fulfilling the foundation Alfred had laid.
