Alfred the Great Biography

Alfred the Great was the king of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex from 871 to 899. He was born as the fifth son of Æthelwulf, King of the West Saxons. With four elder brothers, his chances of becoming king initially seemed unlikely. His father envisioned his sons succeeding to the kingship in turn, believing that dividing the throne among them might undermine the kingdom’s unity. Intelligent and bright, Alfred showed an early interest in scholarly pursuits and received training in military strategy and the arts, which was customary for a young man of royal lineage. After the death of his father, his brothers Æthelbald, Æthelberht, and Æthelred ruled in succession. During Alfred’s time, Wessex was under constant threat from Danish Viking invasions. In 870, during the reign of his brother Æthelred, Alfred assisted in leading the forces against the Danes. Following Æthelred’s death in 871, Alfred ascended the throne. As king, Alfred successfully defended Wessex against Viking incursions, most notably at the Battle of Edington in 878, where he achieved a decisive victory. His reign is notable for significant reforms in military organization, including the establishment of a network of fortified towns (burhs), and improvements to the legal and educational systems. Alfred was known as a wise and just ruler with a lifelong passion for learning, earning him the epithet “the Great.”