Individual Details

Alfred "The Great, Ironsides" WESSEX King West Saxony

(848 - 26 Oct 899)

Alfred 'The Great', King Of England was king of the West Saxons in England. He saved his country, Wessex, from Danish conquest, laid the basis for the unification of England under the West Saxon monarchy, and led a revival of learning and literature. He was such an outstanding leader in both war and peace that he was called 'the great.'
As a boy, he was curious and eager to learn. There is a story his mother offered a prize to the first of her five sons who learned to read. Alfred, the youngest, won the prize, a book of Anglo-Saxon poems. Before he was 7, he had traveled to Rome twice, and was confirmed by Pope Leo IV. These travels impressed upon young Alfred the contrast between the civilized parts of Europe and his more backward England.
Alfred became king in 871, after the death of his fourth brother. The West Saxons had been at war with the Danes for many years. After several losing battles, Alfred made peace with the invaders. But the Danes renewed their attacks four years later, and defeated Alfred at the Battle of Chippenham. Alfred finally defeated the Danes at the Battle of Edington in 878. The Danish leader, Guthrum, agreed to be baptized a Christian. After the Danes broke the peace once more, Alfred won his greatest military victory, the conquest of London in 886. The Danes withdrew to the eastern third of England, called the Danelaw. All the English people, both in and out of Wessex, who were not subject to the Danes recognized Alfred as their king, and paid him homage.
A legend tells how Alfred took shelter in the house of a peasant woman while he was fleeing in disguise from the Danes. The woman ordered him to watch some cakes cooking on the hearth. When he allowed them to burn, she scolded him severely.
Alfred built forts at strategic points and stationed a fleet of ships along the coast to protect his kingdom and guard against invasion. He also issued a great code of laws to improve government.
Education declined because the Danes had looted monasteries and churches, the only centers of learning. Few even among the clergy could read or write. Alfred brought teachers and learned men to Wessex from Wales, norther England, and Europe. He himself helped translate books from Latin into Anglo-Saxon. He also kept a record of current events. Called the 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle,' it was continued after his death until 1154. It is the best source for Anglo-Saxon history.

Events

Birth	848	Wantage, Berkshire, England
Marriage	868	Winchester Castle, Hampshire, England - Ethelswida "Of The Gaini" DE MERCIA
Death	26 Oct 899	Winchester, Hampshire, England
Burial		Winchester, Hampshire, England

Families

Spouse	Ostburga OSTBURGA (840 - 890)
Child	Ethelfleda WESSEX Lady of the Mercians (869 - 918)
Child	Ethelbrett ( - )

Spouse	Ethelswida "Of The Gaini" DE MERCIA (852 - 905)
Child	Edward I "The Elder" WESSEX King Anglo-Saxons (874 - 924)
Child	Elfrida Elfthryth WESSEX (877 - 920)

Father	Aethelwulf "Noble Wolf" WESSEX King England (800 - 858)
Mother	Osburga VON WESSEX (810 - 876)
Sibling	Aelthelstan WESSEX ( - 852)
Sibling	Aethelbald WESSEX ( - 860)
Sibling	Aethelberht WESSEX ( - 865)
Sibling	Aethelred WESSEX (847 - 871)

Individual Details

Alfred "The Great, Ironsides" WESSEX King West Saxony

Events

Families

Endnotes