King Alfred

[charliejoejohn2]

Statue of Alfred the Great by Hamo Thornycroft in Winchester, unveiled during the millenary commemoration of Alfred's death.
King of the Anglo-Saxons
Reign
23 April 871 – 26 October 899
Predecessor
Æthelred
Successor
Edward the Elder
Born
849
Wantage, Berkshire
Died
26 October 899 (around age 50) Winchester
Burial
c. 1100
Hyde Abbey, Winchester, Hampshire, now lost
Spouse
Ealhswith
Issue
Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians
Edward, King of Wes***
Æthelgifu, abbess of Shaftesbury
Æthelweard of Wes***
Ælfthryth, Countess of Flanders
Full name
Ælfred of Wes***
House
Wes***
Father
Æthelwulf, King of Wes***
Mother
Osburh
Religion
Christianity
Alfred was the youngest son of King Æthelwulf of Wes***. His father died when he was young and three of Alfred's brothers reigned in turn. Taking the throne after the death of his brother Æthelred, Alfred spent several years dealing with Viking invasions. After a decisive victory in the Battle of Edington in 878 Alfred made an agreement with the Vikings, creating what was known as Danelaw in the North of England. Alfred also oversaw the conversion of the Viking leader, Guthrum.

Alfred successfully defended his kingdom against the Viking attempt at conquest, and by the time of his death had become the dominant ruler in England.[1] He is one of only two English monarchs to be given the epithet "the Great", the other being the Scandinavian Cnut the Great. He was also the first King of the West Saxons to style himself "King of the Anglo-Saxons". Details of Alfred's life are described in a work by the 9th-century Welsh scholar and bishop Asser.

Alfred had a reputation as a learned and merciful man of a gracious and level-headed nature who encouraged education, proposing that primary education be conducted in English rather than Latin, and improved his kingdom's legal system, military structure, and his people's quality of life. In 2002, Alfred was ranked number 14 in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons.

[silentjourneyhome]

That is interesting Charlie. Just a heads up that there is a programme about King Arthur on BBC 2 tonight 9.00 pm. I know it’s Alfred thread but whilst we are talking about historical Kings who’s names begin with A