Who was Alfred the Great? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Died At Age: 50

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Ealhswith

father: Æthelwulf of Wessex

mother: Osburh

siblings: Æthelbald, King of Wessex, Æthelberht, King of Wessex, Æthelred I, King of Wessex, Æthelswith

children: Ælfthryth, Countess of Flanders, Æthelflæd, Æthelgifu, abbess of Shaftesbury, Æthelweard, Edmund Alfred the Great, Edward the Elder, Elfleda

Born Country: England

Emperors & Kings British Men

Died on: October 26, 899

place of death: Winchester, England

Founder/Co-Founder: Royal Navy

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1

What were Alfred the Great's major accomplishments?

Alfred the Great is known for his successful defense against Viking invasions, his promotion of education and learning, his establishment of a legal code, and his efforts to unify the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
2

How did Alfred the Great contribute to education?

Alfred the Great founded schools and supported the translation of important works into English, promoting literacy and education among his people.
3

What was Alfred the Great's role in unifying England?

Alfred the Great played a key role in uniting the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England, helping to establish a sense of national identity and cohesion.
4

What is Alfred the Great's legacy in English law?

Alfred the Great is credited with compiling a legal code based on earlier laws and customs, which helped to establish a more organized and just legal system in England.
5

How did Alfred the Great impact the English language?

Alfred the Great's efforts to promote education and literacy in English helped to strengthen the use of the English language and its development as a written form.

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Childhood & Early Life

Alfred was born in the year 849 in The Royal Palace, Wantage, Oxfordshire, as the youngest son of King Aethelwulf of Wessex and his first wife Osburh.

As a young boy, he accompanied his father on a pilgrimage to Rome where he spent some time at the court of Charles the Bald, King of the Franks around 854–855.

He was interested in scholarly pursuits and literature from an early age. He is said to have memorized a volume of poetry in Saxon as a child. His love for learning would remain with him throughout his life.

At that time, the country was under threat from Danish raids. Thus, King Aethelwulf decided that his sons would succeed the kingship in turn.

The king died in 858 and as per his wishes, Wessex was ruled by his three elder sons—Aethelbald, Aethelberht, and Aethelred—in succession.

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Ascension & Reign

Alfred started receiving prominence during the reign of his third brother Aethelred of Wessex, who ascended the throne in 865. During this time, Alfred was given the title ‘secundarius,’ a recognized successor closely associated with the reigning monarch.

Alfred started playing a very active role in the military campaigns in 870 when the Danes invaded his homeland. A total of nine battles were fought in the year with varying outcomes and Alfred played key roles in each of them.

In 871, he gained much respect for displaying valor in the ‘Battle of Ashdown’ when he was just 21 years old. He led his brother’s army against the Danes and defeated them. The valor and courage that he displayed earned him admiration from the citizens.

King Aethelred died in 871 and Alfred succeeded him. The Danes attacked once again, even as the new king was busy with his brother’s burial ceremonies. The Danes easily defeated the Saxon army in his absence.

King Alfred won a decisive victory at the ‘Battle of Edington’ where his army faced the ‘Great Heathen Army’ led by Guthrum in 878. He forced Guthrum into submission and had him baptized. Following his victory over Guthrum, Alfred brought about many reforms in his military which made it increasingly difficult for the Vikings to raid successfully.

The 880s was a time of relative peace with no major conflicts. During this time, he focused on the restoration of London and strengthened the defenses of his kingdom to protect it from further attacks by the Danes. He also built a series of well-defended settlements across southern England.

The Danes were still not ready to give up. In the autumn of 892 or 893, they attacked again. However, the efforts of the Danes were thwarted by the defensive measures Alfred had already implemented in his kingdom. The Danes continued fighting for a few years before giving up in 896 or 897.

Major Battles

Alfred is best remembered for his role in the ‘Battle of Ashdown’ which took place in Berkshire in 871. He was just 21 years old when he led the army of his brother, King Aethelred of Wessex, in the battle against the invading Danes and emerged victorious.

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Personal Life & Legacy

He married Ealhswith in 868. Ealhswith was the daughter of a Mercian nobleman named Aethelred Mucel and his wife Eadburh, a member of the Mercian royal family. The couple went on to have several children, of whom five survived to adulthood. One of his sons was Edward the Elder who succeeded his father.

Alfred the Great suffered from painful illnesses throughout his life. It is believed that he either had Crohn's disease or haemorrhoidal disease. He died on 26 October 899.

He had a life-long love for learning and was a promoter of education. Because of this, a number of educational establishments are named in Alfred's honor. These educational establishments include ‘Alfred University’ and ‘Alfred State College’ in New York, and ‘King Alfred's Academy,’ a secondary school in Wantage, Oxfordshire.

Facts About Alfred the Great

Alfred the Great was a skilled writer and translator, known for his translations of important texts from Latin to Old English, helping to preserve knowledge and literature for future generations.

He was a strong proponent of education and is credited with establishing schools and promoting literacy throughout his kingdom, contributing to a flourishing of learning during his reign.

Alfred the Great was also a talented musician and is said to have played the harp with great skill, using music as a way to relax and unwind from the demands of ruling a kingdom.

Despite facing numerous military challenges during his reign, Alfred the Great is remembered for his strategic prowess and determination in defending his kingdom against Viking invasions, earning him a reputation as a courageous and resourceful leader.

Alfred the Great is considered a pioneer in promoting justice and law enforcement in England, implementing reforms to improve the legal system and ensure fair treatment for all his subjects.

Alfred the Great Biography

You wanted to know

What were Alfred the Great's major accomplishments?

How did Alfred the Great contribute to education?

What was Alfred the Great's role in unifying England?

What is Alfred the Great's legacy in English law?

How did Alfred the Great impact the English language?