According to some Historians, the two pieces of work we have, the Chronicle and biography, do not provide us with ‘true’ accounts of Alfred. Many historians suggest that the work from the chronicle was in fact propaganda to promote the king throughout the rest of England and not just Wessex. RHC Davis tells us that the biography is not a true account because it was not wrote when it was supposed to be and is also very confusing (Davis R 1972). An article in the British archaeology tells us that Assers book is a forgery that was not event written by Asser. They explain that the book had gone through many changers over the centuries and that ‘no certain knowledge of what the origin may have contained’ (British archaeology). These are important factors to consider when finding information from primary sources. The biography was probably based on Einhards Charlemagne. The biographer Einhard did not write anything negative on Charlemagne making it biased throughout. So it is important to keep in mind that not every thing recorded about Alfred was true.
King Alfred the Great ruled Wessex between 871-900 AD, during a very dark period in English history. The Vikings, from Denmark had been invading England since 793 and had turned their attention to Wessex, a southern kingdom ruled by Alfred. Alfred went from a king who was forced in to hiding, to one of the most powerful and respected kings England had ever seen. He was responsible for laying down the foundations of the Royal Navy and made it possible for his sons and grandsons to bring together the unification of England after his death. All theses achievements earned him the title the ‘great’, the only English king ever to earn this title.
England in the 9th century consisted of many kingdoms. The Viking (Danes) had invaded many of the kingdoms causing devastation throughout. They had destroyed kingdoms such as Mercia and Mercia’s royal families and had turned their attention to Wessex. Alfred’s father king Elthelwart had been defeating the Viking in battles when Alfred was born and through out Alfred’s youth. However the Viking refused to give up on Wessex and continued to try and settle there.
According to Asser, when Alfred a young, he was sent to Rome, were Pope Leo became his spiritually father. It was here in Rome that he concentrated on his Christian beliefs. This is important as later when he was king, he was defending his Christian kingdom from the Pagan Vikings in a Christian and moral way. Another significant point on how Alfred might have been influenced as a child is that he traveled as a child throughout Italy with his father. Charles the Bald, the king of the Franks entertained Alfred whist on their travels. This could suggest that maybe the Carolingian empire did influence him many ways such as his thirst for knowledge and in how to deal with foreign invaders as the Carolingians were dealing with them at the time when Alfred was young. Alfred was a well-loved child and had a normal and secure childhood, which could suggest that this was needed for him to be a stable, responsible and compassionate king who showed loyalty to his country.
Alfred became king in 871 after the death of his father and brothers. He had to deal with many problems. The Danes, although in the past had not entered Wessex, had been advancing closer. More Danes had landed in London and Alfred had to deal with these too. The Anglo Saxon Chronicles tells us that Alfred managed to keep the peace for a few years, suggesting that Alfred paid them off to go elsewhere. This shows us that Alfred was a negotiating king and can tell us that he was a realist who believed that keeping the peace was the best for the kingdom as his army were not that strong to take on the Danes. However after keeping the peace with the Viking and producing a few treaties, in May 878 we are told in the chronicles that the Viking arrived in Chippenham and ‘ occupied and settled in the land of West Saxon’ and by ‘driving many people over sea’. King Alfred who knew nothing of this and was probably caught off guard, as it was Christmas, managed to escape too Somerset before they could capture him.
Whist he was in hiding many stories of how great he was arose but is probably not true. One story describes how he even managed to find his way in to the Danes camp dressed as a minstrel to find out any information on their attacks. These stories were probably fiction, to make him look like a hero, so they never actually happened. But it was here in Somerset that we see how great he is. Whist living as a peasant, he planned his attacks to get back his kingdom. Using his intelligence and good leadership skills, he called up his men from Somerset and nearby counties meeting them at Egberts stone and went in to battle with the Vikings(kenyes s 1983). The battle was a success for Alfred, he rose above the Vikings and proved his leadership skills and his braveness. This is an important point to look at as many kings might have given up and let their kingdom be savaged. This shows that Alfred was surprisingly loyal to his kingdom and was determined to keep it.
Alfred’s diplomatic skills were important through out his reign. He made many treaties with the Danes and negotiated a great deal, suggesting that he was a king that could think more logically then a king that would believe that fighting was the answer. We also have evidence to suggest he also a merciful king. The king of the Danes Gorham was shown mercy when he was captured, and instead of being put to death, Alfred had him baptized. This would not usually happen in the 9th Century, which shows he wanted to stop all this death that surrounded him. Alfred discovered a way were the Danes had land and split England up. This was called the Danelaw and seemed to keep everyone happy. This was a great achievement on Alfred’s part as it stopped the fighting and the Vikings were busy making up there own political strategies. During the years that followed Alfred was able to concentrate on some of his major achievements. Alfred made treaties with their neighboring kingdoms, including Wales and Ireland. This shows us that Alfred was wise and cleaver by making alliances with these places incase he ever needed then. This shows his skills in being a great king.
Alfred realized how strong and willing the Danes were and although he managed to keep peace, he thought it was a good idea to make a system that would protect wessex in case of any more invasions. He established a system of defense, which was a network of garrisons called buhrs throughout his kingdom. By doing this, the Wessex population would be protected from attacks. The burgess shales contains evidence of these garrison and we can rely on them because they are private and were not meant for the public (sturdy d 1995). A cynical point to consider in looking at is that he could be quite ruthless. Many people had to be moved into these towns and so many of the public had to give up their homes, which does suggest he could have been ruthless. We must however consider how difficult it was to be king in the 9th Century and to remain king he must have to be ruthless at times. The king however was looking after their own interest to protect them from the invaders.
Alfred had not only successfully organized his military and political skills, but also restored the Christian faith and encouraged learning. He believed the Danes had invaded because of England’s decline in Christianity and was a punishment from god. He wanted a reformed England and set up many programmes to make this happen. He also showed his potenaly in England and set an example to the public by getting involved in learning.
He translated books in to English such as Bedes Eclestiascal and encouraged people to learn. He brought many scholars over from Wales and frakcia to his court to teach. He thought that every English person should learn “let all the free born youth now in England and who are able be set to learning” (www, orthodoxengland.co.uk). He took part in building churches and reformed the faith.. He also built a monastery so that people could relearn the traditions of monastic life. We can see that this is not for his own benefit but for his people. It is clear that he was a compassionate and thoughtful king who managed to get England back to the way it was before the invades.
After his death in 900 AD, his achievements did not stop there. His Sons continued to build burghs and finally his sons defeated the Danes in the north of England. This lead to the unification of England. When Oxford University opened, Alfred was the main candidate to be named the founder of Oxford. The Royal Navy has adopted Alfred as the father of the Royal Navy. It is clear the effects Alfred have had on England, not only in the 19th Century but also today in London to mark his 1100th anniversary they celebrated with an exhibition of him and in Wantage there is a statue of him that reads
“Alfred found learning dead and he restored it. Education neglected
and he revived it. The laws powerless, and he gave them force. The Church debased and he raised it. The land ravaged by a fearful enemy,
from which he delivered it. Alfred's name will live as long as mankind shall respect the past”.
Inscription on the Statue to Alfred the Great in Wantage
In this essay I have looked at king Alfred the great and discussed the major points that gave him the title the ‘great’. I have looked at the sources about Alfred and have explained his achievements and successes throughout his life and the great things he did for England. From the information that I have provided in this essay, it is clear that Alfred was an amazing king who cared for his people, not only in Wessex, but also for all of England. He wanted a religious, stable country and fought hard with determination to have it. . He was a brilliant leader both in the army and in the office and set an example to his predecessors. It is no wonder he has obtained the title ‘Alfred the great’.
