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KING OF ENGLAND |
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| ALFRED,
called The Great (849-99), king of the West Saxons (871-99), and one of the outstanding figures of English history. Born in Wantage in southern England, Alfred was the youngest of five sons of King Ethelwulf (790?-858). On the death of his brother Ethelred (r. 866-71) Alfred became king, coming to the throne during a Danish invasion. Although he succeeded in making peace with the Danes, they resumed their killing, stealing raids five years later, and by early 878 they were successful almost everywhere. About Easter of 878, however, Alfred set up a camp at Athelney and began assembling an army. In the middle of that year he defeated the Danes and captured their stronghold, probably at present-day Edington. During the following 14 years Alfred was able to concentrate on the local concerns of his kingdom. By 886 he had captured the city of London, and soon afterward he was recognized as the king of all England. In 893 the Danes invaded England again, followed by four years of warfare; eventually, the Danes were forced to leave Alfred's territories . Because he was the only ruler to resist Danish invasions successfully, Alfred became a hero for all Saxons, which prepared the way for an England under only one ruler. Alfred enjoyed learning and did much for the education of his people. He began a school at his court and invited English and foreign teachers to come there. Alfred himself translated ancient Roman and Spanish writings . Alfred's laws were the first to end discrimination between the English and the Welsh peoples. |
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