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Alfred (Old English: Ælfrēd) (849? – 26 October 899) was king of the southern Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex from 871 to 899. Alfred is famous for his defence of the kingdom against the Danes (Vikings), becoming as a result the only English monarch to be awarded the epithet "the Great" by his people. Alfred was the first King of Wessex to style himself "King of England". Details of his life are known as a result of a work by the Welsh scholar, Asser. A learned man, Alfred encouraged education and improved the kingdom's law system.
Childhood
Alfred was born sometime between AD 847 and 849 at Wantage in the present-day ceremonial county of Oxfordshire (though historically speaking in the traditional county of Berkshire). He was the fourth son of King Ethelwulf of Wessex (Æþelwulf), most likely by his first wife, Osburh.
He seems to have been a child of singular attractiveness and promise, and tales of his boyhood were remembered. At five years old, in 853, he is said to have been sent to Rome, where he was confirmed by Pope Leo IV, who is also said to have "anointed him as king." Later writers took this as an anticipatory crowning in preparation for his ultimate succession to the throne of Wessex. That, however, could not have been foreseen in 853, as Alfred had three elder brothers living. It is likely to be understood either of investiture with the consular insignia or possibly with some titular royalty such as that of the under-kingdom of Kent.
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@katemond Best get an excellent book on Alf called 'Alfred the Great - the Man who Made England'. You've just got time to read it.
JustinPollard (JustinPollard) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:21:05 -0000
@katemond Best get an excellent book on Alf called 'Alfred the Great - the Man who Made England'. You've just got time to read it.
Great deal on 'Alfred Hitchcock - The Masterpiece Collection' by James Stewart, Kim Novak, K... http://bit.ly/1k0FZv
longstemmedlily (susanne murray) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:56:09 -0000
Great deal on 'Alfred Hitchcock - The Masterpiece Collection' by James Stewart, Kim Novak, K... http://bit.ly/1k0FZv
RT @biography_book: The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great - . http://bit.ly/3kPzvO
TomSmith65 (Tom Smith) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:15:44 -0000
RT @biography_book: The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great - . http://bit.ly/3kPzvO
An Education like a fine wine. Nick Hornby on the screenplay. Great turn from Alfred Molina as the father. Many a snigger.
apfrod (paul apfrod) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:14:51 -0000
An Education like a fine wine. Nick Hornby on the screenplay. Great turn from Alfred Molina as the father. Many a snigger.
The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great - by Benjamin R. Merkle - Thomas Nelson. http://tinyurl.com/yks3f5c
biography_book (New Biography Books) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:20:13 -0000
The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great - by Benjamin R. Merkle - Thomas Nelson. http://tinyurl.com/yks3f5c
The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great - by Benjamin R. Merkle - Thomas Nelson. http://tinyurl.com/ygulr2j
history_book (New History Books) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:44:32 -0000
The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great - by Benjamin R. Merkle - Thomas Nelson. http://tinyurl.com/ygulr2j
Alfred - Biography for the king of Wessex (871–99), sometimes called Alfred the Great, b. Wantage, Berkshire.
Alfred The Great - Outline of the reign of Alfred 'The Great'.
Meta Description: [ Outline of the reign of Alfred 'The Great'. ]
BBC: King Alfred (849 - 899) - Known as King Alfred (Aelfred) the Great, or King of Wessex, he became ruler of the West Saxons.
Meta Description: [ Known as King Alfred (Aelfred) the Great, or King of Wessex, he became ruler of the West Saxons after he and his brother defeated the Danes in the Battle of Ashdown in Berkshire - the later death of his brother Ethelred left Alfred as successor in 871. ]
Medieval Sourcebook: Asser's Life of King Alfred - The contemporary biography of Alfred (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1915).
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