![]() Religious and intelligent woman who had a significant effect on his Osburh is described in Asser’s Life of King Alfred as a It does not seem to be as profound an influence as that of his mother. Whatever effect the trip to Rome may have had on Alfred’s character, Although it is possible this ceremony took place, it seems unlikely as Alfred was the youngest of five children and his older brothers – Aethelbald, Aethelberht, and Aethelred – would have all been in line to succeed to the throne before him. At the age of four, his father sent him to Rome on pilgrimage, where he was confirmed in the faith by the Pope and, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, was anointed as king. Youth and Rise to PowerĪlfred was born in 849 CE, the son of King Aethelwulf of Wessex and his wife Osburh. Later historians, especially during the Victorian Age, would consider him the most perfect king of the Middle Ages for his piety, justice, and noble vision of a better future for his people. He established the practice of translating classical works from Latin into English, set up public schools, reformed the military, and revised and expanded the law code. ![]() Although this victory did not end Viking raids in Britain nor drive the Vikings back to Scandinavia, it allowed for a period of relative peace in which Alfred’s reforms could be implemented and take root.Īlfred’s impressive military and administrative skills stabilized Britain after almost a century of Viking raids and warfare. 890 CE) at the Battle of Eddington in 878 CE, after which he was able to deliver terms including the Christianization of Guthrum and his closest advisors, thus bridging the religious gap between the two peoples. Alfred defeated the Viking leader Guthrum (died c. 793 CE and, by Alfred’s time, had established themselves throughout the land from Northumbria through Mercia with increasing incursions into Wessex. The Vikings had begun their raids on Britain c. The character in the show is loosely based on the historical Alfred but significant departures are made, most notably in his parentage. #King alfred vikings seriesAlfred is featured in the TV series Vikings where he is played by Irish actor Ferdia Walsh-Peelo. Even so, in his lifetime, Alfred was respected as a noble king who won the trust of his people for his reforms in education and law, and most notably, his leadership against the Viking threat. 909 CE) and that work’s impact on later writers.Īlfred’s epithet ‘the great’ was not given to him in his lifetime but centuries later when Asser’s work became more widely known and the significance of Alfred’s reign was more fully recognized. He is the best-known Anglo-Saxon king in British history thanks to his biographer Asser (died c. 871-899 CE) was the king of Wessex in Britain but came to be known as King of the Anglo-Saxons after his military victories over Viking adversaries and later successful negotiations with them. ![]() Alfred’s impressive military and administrative skills stabilized Britain after almost a century of Viking raids and warfare.Īlfred the Great (r. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |