Alfred the Great

Overview

Alfred the Great‘s statue at Winchester. Hamo Thornycroft‘s bronze statue erected in 1899.

As a young boy, Alfred received a traditional education that focused on reading, writing, and arithmetic. He was particularly interested in books and stories, and his mother Osburh is said to have been an avid reader who instilled in him a love of learning. Oddly enough, Asser writes that Alfred “…remained ignorant of letters until his twelfth year…” but that he obtained an extraordinary ability to memorize what was taught to him. According to legend, when Alfred was four years old, his mother offered a book of Anglo-Saxon poetry to the first of her children who could memorize it. An exited Alfred took the book to his teacher, memorized it, and recited it to Osburh, earning the book as his prize.

In 855, when Alfred was only six years old, his father sent him on a mission to Rome. The purpose of the trip was to affirm the alliance between the pope and the West Saxon church, which had been established by Alfred’s grandfather. Alfred’s father hoped that the journey would give his young son a sense of the wider world and help to prepare him for the responsibilities of kingship. The trip was long and arduous, but Alfred made it to Rome and was received by Pope Leo IV, who confirmed the alliance.

When Alfred returned to Wessex, his father was still struggling to maintain his authority over his kingdom. In 858, Aethelwulf went on a pilgrimage to Rome, leaving his son Aethelbald in charge of Wessex. When Aethelwulf died on the return journey, Aethelbald seized the throne and sent his brothers into exile. Alfred spent several years in the court of the King of Mercia, where he continued his education and learned the arts of war and politics.

As a young boy, Alfred received a traditional education that focused on reading, writing, and arithmetic. He was particularly interested in books and stories, and his mother Osburh is said to have been an avid reader who instilled in him a love of learning. Oddly enough, Asser writes that Alfred “…remained ignorant of letters until his twelfth year…” but that he obtained an extraordinary ability to memorize what was taught to him. According to legend, when Alfred was four years old, his mother offered a book of Anglo-Saxon poetry to the first of her children who could memorize it. An exited Alfred took the book to his teacher, memorized it, and recited it to Osburh, earning the book as his prize.

In 855, when Alfred was only six years old, his father sent him on a mission to Rome. The purpose of the trip was to affirm the alliance between the pope and the West Saxon church, which had been established by Alfred’s grandfather. Alfred’s father hoped that the journey would give his young son a sense of the wider world and help to prepare him for the responsibilities of kingship. The trip was long and arduous, but Alfred made it to Rome and was received by Pope Leo IV, who confirmed the alliance.

When Alfred returned to Wessex, his father was still struggling to maintain his authority over his kingdom. In 858, Aethelwulf went on a pilgrimage to Rome, leaving his son Aethelbald in charge of Wessex. When Aethelwulf died on the return journey, Aethelbald seized the throne and sent his brothers into exile. Alfred spent several years in the court of the King of Mercia, where he continued his education and learned the arts of war and politics.

Reign

Alfred became king of Wessex in 871 following the death of his older brother, King Aethelred. At the time of his brother’s death, Alfred was just 22 years old and had little experience in matters of statecraft or warfare. Alfred’s ascension to the throne was not a foregone conclusion. Wessex was one of several Anglo-Saxon kingdoms that were vying for dominance in England at the time, and Alfred faced opposition from rival factions within his own family. 

In 878, Wessex was facing a major crisis as the Great Heathen Army, a coalition of Viking warriors, had conquered much of the kingdom and were advancing on Alfred’s stronghold at Chippenham. In the face of this dire situation, Alfred was forced to flee into the marshy wetlands of Somerset, where he sought refuge in a small village called Athelney.

During his exile in the swamp lands, Alfred was able to regroup and plan a counterattack against the Viking invaders. He used the wetlands to his advantage, building fortifications and launching guerrilla attacks against the Vikings, who were not familiar with the terrain. Over time, Alfred was able to build up his forces and gain the support of local lords and their armies.

In the spring of 878, Alfred led his army out of Athelney and engaged the Viking invaders in the decisive Battle of Edington. Alfred’s army, which included a large contingent of well-trained and well-equipped soldiers, was able to surprise the Viking army and inflict a crushing defeat upon them. The Vikings were forced to flee, and Alfred was able to retake much of Wessex from their control.

The Battle of Edington was a turning point in the history of England, as it marked the beginning of the end of the Viking invasions and the eventual unification of England under a single ruler. Alfred’s victory was due in large part to his strategic vision and his ability to rally his forces in the face of overwhelming odds. His victory at Edington solidified his reputation as a great military leader and paved the way for his eventual success in unifying England.

King Alfred and the Cakes

The legend of King Alfred and the Cakes is a well-known story from English folklore that dates back to the 9th century. The story goes that during the Viking invasion of England, King Alfred the Great sought refuge in the home of a peasant woman. She asked him to watch over her cakes while she went about her work, but Alfred, preoccupied with the war effort, allowed the cakes to burn.

This story is often cited as an example of Alfred’s humility and his commitment to duty, even in the face of personal discomfort. It has been retold in many forms over the centuries, and has become a popular symbol of English national identity. The earliest known reference to the story comes from the Life of King Alfred, a biography written by Bishop Asser in the late 9th century.

Map of Anglo-Saxon England showing the Danelaw.

Learning & Education

King Alfred the Great was well-known for his love of learning and his commitment to promoting literacy throughout his kingdom. He believed that education was the key to progress and success, both for individuals and for society as a whole. Alfred’s commitment to education is evidenced by his support for the translation of important Latin works into English and his founding of schools and libraries throughout Wessex.

One of Alfred’s most significant contributions to education was his translation of the Consolation of Philosophy, a philosophical work by Boethius that had been written in Latin. Alfred was familiar with the work, having read it during his youth, and he believed that its teachings could be useful to his people. However, because few people in Wessex at the time knew Latin, Alfred commissioned a translation of the work into English. The resulting translation, known as the Old English Boethius, became an important text in the development of the English language and was widely read throughout England for centuries.

In addition to his translation work, Alfred founded schools and libraries throughout Wessex. One of the most notable of these was the court school that he established at his royal court. The school was open to both boys and girls and was taught by some of the most learned scholars of the time. The curriculum included the study of Latin, the Bible, and other important texts, as well as practical skills like writing and arithmetic. Alfred’s emphasis on education helped to establish a culture of learning in Wessex that persisted long after his death.

Alfred Jewel, late 9th century. The inscription around the side reads: “AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN”, (“Alfred ordered me made”). Ashmolean museum, Oxford.

Image : Alfred Jewel, late 9th century. The inscription around the side reads: “AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN”, (“Alfred ordered me made”). Ashmolean museum, Oxford.

Military Reorganization

One of the most significant achievements of King Alfred the Great’s reign was his military reorganization of Wessex. In response to the constant threat of Viking invasions, Alfred overhauled the structure of his army, creating a more efficient and effective fighting force that was able to repel Viking attacks and protect the kingdom.

This army was organized into a system of “burhs,” or fortified towns. The burhs were typically located on major trade routes or at strategic points, such as river crossings or hilltops. They were fortified with walls, ditches, and palisades, and were equipped with defensive structures such as gatehouses, towers, and ramparts. The burhs were also designed to serve as centers of trade and commerce, and were equipped with marketplaces, churches, and other public buildings.

Under Alfred’s system, every burh was required to maintain a certain number of troops and to be able to provide food, weapons, and other supplies in times of war. The burhs were also connected by a system of roads and communication networks, which allowed for the rapid movement of troops and supplies.

Another key element of Alfred’s military reorganization was the establishment of a fleet of ships to patrol the coast and defend against seaborne attacks. the Anglo-Saxon navy was significantly expanded, with new ships being built and existing vessels being upgraded and modernized. The navy was equipped with the latest weapons and armor, and crews were trained in naval tactics and strategy. Alfred also established a system of coastal defenses, with lookout towers and signal stations being erected along the coast to provide early warning of Viking raids.

Medieval miniature of Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians, in Genealogical roll of the kings of England.

Death & Legacy

King Alfred the Great of Wessex died on October 26th, 899 CE, after a reign of almost thirty years. His death marked the end of a period of unprecedented stability and prosperity in Anglo-Saxon England, and his legacy as a wise and just ruler would continue to be felt for centuries to come.

Alfred’s death was not unexpected, as he had been suffering from a variety of ailments for most of his life. However, his passing was still a great loss to the people of Wessex, who had come to rely on him for protection and guidance.

Following Alfred’s death, his son, Edward, succeeded him as king. Edward was a capable ruler, but he faced significant challenges in maintaining the stability and unity of the kingdom in the face of renewed Viking attacks and internal political struggles.

Despite these challenges, Alfred’s legacy continued to be felt throughout England, as his reforms and innovations helped to shape the country’s political and cultural landscape for centuries to come. His establishment of the burh system and the Anglo-Saxon navy helped to defend the kingdom against Viking attacks and to establish England as a major power in Europe. His efforts to promote education and learning helped to revive the study of classical literature and laid the foundation for the development of English literature and culture.