Alfred the Great: King of Wessex & Scholar
Overview: King Alfred of Wessex (r. 871–899) is the only English monarch known as "The Great." He prevented England from falling entirely to the Danes and initiated a massive revival of literacy and education.
1. Early Life & Character
King Alfred the Great
Born in 849, Alfred was the youngest of five brothers. From an early age, he desired Latin learning and was inspired by his mother to memorize a book of English poetry to win a prize.
- Travels: He visited Rome in his youth and admired Charlemagne’s revival of learning on the continent.
- Athelney: During a Viking invasion, he was forced to hide in the marshes of Athelney. Legend has it he let a cowherd’s wife’s cakes burn while deep in thought.
2. Military & Political Reforms
Alfred's reign was defined by his defense against the Danes (Vikings).
- Burhs: He built a network of forts (burhs) to defend the kingdom.
- Navy: He constructed larger warships to engage Vikings at sea.
- Army: He divided the fyrd (army) into two rotating groups to ensure constant readiness.
- Law: He issued a code of laws (Doom Book) based on the Ten Commandments and the advice of his Witan council.
🎯 Exam Point: Alfred is credited with preventing England from falling completely to the Danes.
3. The Father of English Prose
Alfred realized that literacy had declined because books were in Latin, which few could read. He encouraged translating key Latin texts into English.
Major Contributions:
- Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: Initiated around 890 AD to record English history.
- Translations: He translated Pope Gregory’s Pastoral Care, Boethius’s Consolation of Philosophy, and Bede’s Ecclesiastical History.
🎯 Exam Point: Alfred is known as the “Father of English Prose” due to his promotion of the vernacular language.
🎯 Exam Point: Important Quote: “If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.”