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- Hyde Abbey, Winchester, England
Afred succeeded his brother, Ethelred I, as King of Wessex and Mercia in 871.
He was the king of the southern Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex from 871 to 899. Alfred is famous for his defence of the kingdom against the Danes (Vikings), became the only English monarch to be awarded the epithet "the Great" by his people. Much concerning his life is known becuase of the work of a Welsh scholar named Asser.
At the age of five, Alfred was sent to Rome. There he was confimed by Pope Leo IV, who also 'annointed him as king'. This probably was in an anticipatory crowning in preparation for his succession to the throne of Wessex or possibly Kent.
Ethelwulf took his son Alfred on pilgrimage to Rome in 854 to 855. Alfred spent time at the Court of Charles the Bald who was King of the Franks. His father died in 858 after they returned home. Three of his brothers were King of Wessex before him.
Alfred fought beside his brother Ethelred, who was King of Wessex, against the Danes in attempt to relieve the pressure from them. In 870 there were several successful battles fought including the Battle of Englesfield, Berkshire, the Battle of Reading and a brilliant victory at the Battle of Ashdown, near Compton Beauchamp in Shrivenham Hundred. This period was called 'Alfred's year of battles'.
Ethelred died on 23 April 871 and Alfred succeeded him to the throne. Many more battles were fought against the Danes. At one time, Alfred retreated to Athelney while he organized his vicotry. He supposedly disguised himself as a harpiost to gain entry to Guthrum' camp and discovered his plans.
The middle of May, Alfred's plans and preparations were finished and he left Athelnes and joined by the levies of Somerset, Wiltshire, and Hampshire, he met the Danes at the Battle of Edington in Wiltshire. Alfred won a decisive victory there and the Danes gave their Danish King, Guthrum, along with twenty-nine of his chief men to submit to baptism. England then was split and the southwestern half was kept by the Saxons and the northeastern half was known as the Danelaw.
There were periods of peace and then more uprisings. In 892 the Danes again attempted to take England. This was long siege and took a long time but Alfred and his armies became the victors and the campaigne was finally over.
Alfred had initiated military reforms.
He divided his national militia into two. One would releive the other at set intervals in order to keep continuity in operations. One group was home while the other was on duty.
He upgraded the old fortresses, strongholds and garrisons at certain points and he kept them occupied in order to be prepared to defend an attack.
He enforced obligations of thanehood on all owners of five hides of land which gave the king a center of highly equpped troops.
Alfred built up the Royal Naval and had ships built accord to his own designs. They were to be swifter and steadier that the old ships. However, this did not prove to be successful. He wanted to prevent the landing of attackers. The Royal Navy and the United States Navy say that Alfred was the founder of new tradition.
King Alfred 'The Great' died on 26 Oct 899 in Winchester, Hampshire, England. The cause of his death is not known.
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849 - 899 (50 years)
