Who was Alfred the Great?
Alfred the Great was King of Wessex from 871 to 899. He defended his kingdom against Viking invasions and laid the foundations for a united England. He is the only English monarch known as the Great.
Alfred was born in Wantage, Oxfordshire, in 849. He became king after his brother died during wars with the Danish Vikings.
In 878, Alfred was forced into hiding in the Somerset Levels. According to legend, while sheltering in a peasant's home, he was scolded for letting cakes burn.
Defeating the Vikings
Alfred gathered an army and defeated the Viking leader Guthrum at the Battle of Edington in 878. Guthrum agreed to be baptized, and England was divided between Wessex and the Danelaw.
Alfred built fortified towns called burhs and created a navy to defend against further attacks.
He promoted education and learning, translating Latin texts into Old English. He also produced a law code.
Alfred died in 899 and was buried in Winchester. His grandson, Athelstan, became the first king of all England. A statue of Alfred stands in Winchester.