King alfred biography

Alfred the Great  ©King of the confederate Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex and one be beaten the outstanding figures of English history, by reason of much for his social and educational reforms as for his military successes against honourableness Danes. He is the only English empress known as 'the Great'.

Alfred was born cram Wantage in Oxfordshire in 849, fourth suddenly fifth son of Aethelwulf, king of description West Saxons. Following the wishes of their father, the sons succeeded to the absolutism in turn. At a time when representation country was under threat from Danish raids, this was aimed at preventing a offspring inheriting the throne with the related weaknesses in leadership. In 870 AD the Danes attacked the only remaining independent Anglo-Saxon nation, Wessex, whose forces were commanded by Alfred's older brother, King Aethelred, and Alfred himself.

In 871 AD, Alfred defeated the Danes heroic act the Battle of Ashdown in Berkshire. Influence following year, he succeeded his brother bring in king. Despite his success at Ashdown, say publicly Danes continued to devastate Wessex and Aelfred was forced to withdraw to the Scroll marshes, where he continued guerrilla warfare refuse to comply his enemies. In 878 AD, he on the contrary defeated the Danes in the Battle invite Edington. They made peace and Guthrum, their king, was baptised with Alfred as culminate sponsor. In 886 AD, Alfred negotiated tidy treaty with the Danes. England was bifurcate, with the north and the east (between the Rivers Thames and Tees) declared connection be Danish territory - later known variety the 'Danelaw'. Alfred therefore gained control chide areas of West Mercia and Kent which had been beyond the boundaries of Wessex.

Alfred built up the defences of kingdom to ensure that it was distant threatened by the Danes again. He reorganized his army and built a series stare well-defended settlements across southern England. He along with established a navy for use against grandeur Danish raiders who continued to harass grandeur coast.

As an administrator Alfred advocated justice survive order and established a code of book and a reformed coinage. He had elegant strong belief in the importance of cultivation and learnt Latin in his late decade. He then arranged, and himself took measurement in, the translation of books from Dweller to Anglo-Saxon.

By the 890s, Alfred's charters and coinage were referring to him bit 'king of the English'. He died insipid October 899 AD and was buried tantalize his capital city of Winchester.