| Notes |
- BIOGRAPHY
Alfred 'the Great' was born in 849 in the royal manor of Wantage in Berkshire, son of Aethelwulf, king of England, and Osburh. It is said that his mother encouraged Alfred and his brothers by showing them a beautifully illuminated book of poetry, promising that the one who could read it first could have it. Alfred, the youngest, was first.
As a young man he was his brother King Ethelred's supporter in the struggle against the marauding Vikings. In 868 he married Ealhswith, by whom he had a large family. When in 871 he succeeded his brother Ethelwulf as king, most of England was in Danish hands. Though the English won several small victories, and a sea battle in 875, the Danes had the upper hand. In 877 Alfred had to go into hiding. During this period stories emerged of him disguised as a wandering minstrel and strolling into Danish camps to gather information. The story of him burning the cakes he had been asked to watch stems from that time.
In May 878, joined by English forces, he drove the Danes back to Chippenham. This was the turning point from which Alfred again emerged as king of England. Twice a year he called a great council, which was the beginning of the English parliament.
Apparently Alfred suffered from a strange, regularly recurring illness recorded by Asser, bishop of Sherborne. According to the genealogist and historian Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk it might have been porphyria. Alfred died on 26 October 899 and was buried at Winchester. His wife lived until 5 December 902.
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849 - 899 (50 years)
Siblings
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