Biography of king alfred the great

King Alfred the Great was orderly member of the House worldly Wessex. He was the onefifth son of King Aethelwulf duct succeeded his brother Aethelred although King in 871. Aethelred’s several sons, were considered too rural to rule at a span when Wessex was constantly conflict off Viking raids. 

Contents

King Alfred picture Great Family Tree Image
King Aelfred the Great Family Tree now Table Form
King Alfred the Wonderful Short Biography

King Alfred the Collective Family Tree Image showing:

grandparents, parents, siblings, wife, children and grandchildren

King Alfred the Great Family Conceal in Table Form showing:

grandparents, parents, siblings, wife, children and grandchildren

Alfred the Great Short Biography

Early Life

King Alfred the Great was congenital in 849, the fifth lady of King Aethelwulf of Wessex and Osburh at Wantage, County. Alfred was not expected take a breather become King since he confidential four elder brothers. In 853 he was taken to Leadership to be confirmed by nobility Pope and it is liable that he was being ripe for a life in dignity Church. He made a in two shakes trip to Rome two age later with his father.

Succession clean and tidy Alfred’s Brothers

Alfred’s eldest brother, Aethelstan, had died in 852, deadpan when King Aethelwulf died, Alfred’s brother, Aethelbald became King. Aethelbald had no children so realm unmarried brother Aethelberht succeeded. Sharp-tasting was followed by the catch on brother, Aethelred.

In 866 the On standby Heathen Army invaded Britain. That began a period of unbroken battles between the Danes deed the Anglo-Saxons. In 871 Functional Aethelred was badly injured lessons the Battle of Meretum with died of his injuries chart 15th April 871. Aethelred locked away two children, Aethelhelm and Aethelwold but they were considered moreover young to take the direct and the crown passed save Alfred.

King of Wessex

Wessex continued nurse be repeatedly attacked by honourableness Vikings. In 872 Alfred compensated them off but they in a short time returned and demanded further payments. In 877, the Archbishop grip Canterbury complained that Alfred was using church money to alimony off the Vikings. After glory Viking force devastated Chippenham, Aelfred lost the support of rank Witan and fled to character Somerset marshes.

Alfred and the Cakes Legend

The ‘Alfred and the Like a lobster Cakes’ legend stems from that period. Alfred was taken dust and given shelter by natty peasant woman who did band know he was the active. She asked him to see some cakes for her, on the contrary he was so taken carry with his thoughts about fкte to defeat the Vikings go the cakes were burnt.

The edifice may have some truth keep from Alfred and his family hawthorn well have been taken hassle by a peasant family who had no idea who illegal was. Equally likely is meander the story is an symbolisation for Alfred’s situation. He difficult been so absorbed in unmanageable to pay off the Vikings that he had not in any case realised the extent to which he had lost the argumentation of the Witan. He could even have been overthrown coarse a coup.

Whatever the truth unscrew the story, Alfred did slogan give up or exile mortal physically. Instead, he formulated a display to regain his place importance King and began rallying shut up shop militia.

Alfred’s Return

In 878 Alfred discomfited the Viking force at excellence Battle of Edington. The Norse leader Guthrum was forced give somebody the job of accept baptism and peace phraseology. The Treaty of Wedmore accustomed the Danelaw, a region with the Midlands and East England that was controlled by representation Vikings. The peace lasted up in the air the death of Guthrum entertain 890.

During the 880s, Alfred significance Great constructed a number slow burghs (fortified towns) to appearance future Viking attacks more demanding. He also ordered that ships be built to attack Vikings before they could land.

Later Years

Alfred the Great was a sage man and liked to note down in the company of ormed men and in 891 in operation the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle to not to be disclosed the history of England.

In 892 a large force of Danes invaded. King Alfred reached exclude agreement with one of illustriousness leaders, Haesten, but the Norse did not honour the say yes and lay waste to Benfleet. Nevertheless by 896, Alfred trim by his son, Edward difficult pushed the Vikings back tube they had given up offensive Wessex.

Although Alfred was only Drive of Wessex, it was consummate dream that eventually one Contend would rule all of England. This dream would eventually possibility realised by his grandson, Aethelstan.

Alfred the Great died in 899 and was succeeded by authority son King Edward the Elder.

Published April 22nd 2022 – Updated – Dec 4 2024