He had to meet a serious attack by a large Danish force from the European continent in 892, and it was not until 896 that it gave up the struggle. The possession of London also made possible the reconquest of the Danish territories in his son’s reign, and Alfred may have been preparing for this, though he could make no further advance himself. In 886 he took the offensive and captured London, a success that brought all the English not under Danish rule to accept him as king. Alfred had a respite from fighting until 885, when he repelled an invasion of Kent by a Danish army, supported by the East Anglian Danes. They surrendered, and their king, Guthrum, was baptized, Alfred standing as sponsor the following year they settled in East Anglia. The Danes established themselves at Chippenham, and the West Saxons submitted, “except King Alfred.” He harassed the Danes from a fort in the Somerset marshes, and until seven weeks after Easter he secretly assembled an army, which defeated them at the Battle of Edington. They retired in 877 having accomplished little, but a surprise attack in January 878 came near to success. In 876 the Danes again advanced on Wessex. It was probably the quality of the West Saxon resistance that discouraged Danish attacks for five years. After an unsuccessful battle at Wilton he made peace. Aethelred died in 871, and Alfred succeeded him. Late in 871, the Danes invaded Wessex, and Aethelred and Alfred fought several battles with them. In this year Alfred married Ealhswith, descended through her mother from Mercian kings. The Danes refused to give battle, and peace was made. He first appeared on active service in 868, when he and his brother, King Aethelred (Ethelred) I, went to help Burgred of Mercia (the kingdom between the Thames and the Humber) against a great Danish army that had landed in East Anglia in 865 and taken possession of Northumbria in 867. He probably received the education in military arts normal for a young man of rank. Alfred had no opportunity to acquire the education he sought, however, until much later in life.īritannica Quiz History: Fact or Fiction? It is possible also that he was aware of and admired the great Frankish king Charlemagne, who had at the beginning of the century revived learning in his realm. His mother early aroused his interest in English poetry, and from his boyhood he also hankered after Latin learning, possibly stimulated by visits to Rome in 853 and 855. Perhaps a scholar’s life would have contented him. When he was born, it must have seemed unlikely that Alfred would become king, since he had four older brothers he said that he never desired royal power. Notable Family Members: Father Aethelwulf daughter Aethelflaed son Edward's brother Aethelberht brother Aethelred I brother Aethelbald Compilation of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle began during his reign, circa 890. He prevented England from falling to the Danes and promoted learning and literacy. Alfred the Great (Old English: Ælfrēd, Ælfrǣd, "elf counsel" or "wise elf" 849 – 26 October 899) was King of Wessex from 871 to 899.Īlfred, also spelled Aelfred, byname Alfred the Great, (born 849-died 899), king of Wessex (871–899), a Saxon kingdom in southwestern England.
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