ALFRED THE GREAT

ALFRED THE GREAT (872-901 AD)

 Alfred was the youngest son of Ethelwulf,who became the ruler of England in 871 AD.

His period is considered as the Golden age in Saxon history.As warrior ,administrator and scholar ,Alfred towered above all .In many respect,Alfred deserve to be called The Great and he is the only ruler in english history so called.Alfred strated his reign with a legacy of war with Danes.He sufferd a temporary defeat from the hands of the Danes at Wilton.But in 878 AD,he successfully defeated them in the battle of Eddington and the treaty of wedmore paved the way for the peaceful co-existence of the saxons and Danes.As an adminstrator and statesman,Alfred rendered valuable service to the countrymen.He organised the militia on a new basis and made it more effective.45 posts were established on the Danish frontier to guard against the Norwegian riders.He began the english Navy and gave order to build long ships.

When peace was established in the country,Alfred became english school master.Many schools and monasteries were set up in various parts of the empire.Alfred was a scholar too.he translated “History of the world”(Orocious) and Ecclesiastical History of the English People”(Bede).He had very great interest in history.He was a part author of Anglo saxon chronicles.He decided to have a national chronicle,a record of the public life of the nation,which was begun with his own hand and kept up to date by the members of the certain monasteries.He built schools for boys and sent monks to teach in these schools.

Alfred imitated the Danes in the matters of town.The Danes had built towns and used them as forts against the enemy.Alfred also did the same.He established around 45 forts on Danish frontier to check the danish invaders.To ensure order and good government;Alfred also revised the laws of predecissors and codified them.He re-enacted the existing laws and midified them by applying mosianc laws and teachings of christianity.He anxiously aimed at the moral and material improvement of his people.He has rightly been called “wassex darling “by the Chroniclers.