Alfred the Great Deserves His Title
A king with an almighty legacy
Alfred the Great is one of those famous names we’ve all heard of, yet most people would be unable to explain why he was so brilliant.
Back in the ninth century, this medieval king accomplished some truly remarkable feats, and many now regard him to be one of the greatest monarchs in British history.
War Hero
England used to be made up of four principal kingdoms: Mercia, Northumbria, East Anglia, and Wessex. In 871, Alfred became king of the latter and inherited a bloody conflict with the Vikings.
When Mercia was captured in 876, Alfred knew that Wessex would soon be next. His worst fears were confirmed when Guthrum’s Viking army invaded Wessex in January 878, and Alfred had to take refuge in the marshlands of Somerset.
From here, Alfred’s messengers contacted the Saxons in Wiltshire and Hampshire. They arranged a rendezvous and defeated the Viking army at the Battle of Edington. Under Alfred’s instruction, the Saxons pursued the Vikings to their base in Chippenham and forced them to flee northwards.
Though Wessex was safe, Alfred knew the Vikings were still a threat, so he made a pact of reconciliation. Guthrum also agreed to be baptized after converting to Christianity.
