He had four older brothers who all ruled as king before he did as a boy of four he accompanied his father aethelwulf on a pilgrimage to rome by 870 northumberland, east anglia and mercia has all fallen to the vikings. This dissertation consists of a study volume one, together with an edition and critical. Alfred the great by eleanor shipley duckett, 1956 online. King alfred the great, alfred the great anglican history. The university of winchester created from the former king alfreds college, winchester 1928 to 2004 alfred university and alfred state college in alfred, new york. Alfred the great is a wonderful book about the late ninth century king who saved wessex the last standing anglosaxon kingdom in britain from viking rule. Alfred the great books list of books by author alfred. Alfred the great is a rare historical figure from the early middle ages, in that he retains a popular image. Alfred the great was the monarch of england from 871 to 899. Bishop asser tells the story of how, as a child, alfred won a book of saxon poems, offered as a prize by his mother to the first of her children able to. At their fathers behest and by mutual agreement, alfred s elder brothers succeeded to the kingship in turn, rather than endanger the kingdom by passing it to underage children at a time when the country was threatened by worsening viking raids from denmark. Alfred the great, king of wessex from 871 until 899, is not the man he used to be. Novels about some of alfreds children have been written, but i have not included these unless it is felt that alfreds appearance or mention makes it worthwhile.
Alfred was born in 849 at the royal palace in wantage. Lawcode of king alfred the great cambridge repository. He applied all the energy of his mind to the difficult. A history of the british monarchysaxon rulersalfred the. In his early reign, he was defeated by the vikings. It was not a title given by political supporters, not the sycophantic gift of an official biographer, nor a selfstyled title. Certain aspects of the book seem to be living well within my memory, so its entirely possible that ill reread this one and find it to be great across the board. Alfred is the only english king ever to be called great. In the year of our lords incarnation 849, was born alfred, king of the anglo. A number of educational establishments are named in alfreds honour.
Historical fiction on alfred the great fuzzy history. Anglo saxon chronicle, source of much early british history, begun. These books covered history, geography, philosophy and gregory the greats. An educated and cultured man, he fought viking invaders to secure greater security and a sense of identity for anglosaxon england. With all of the media attention surrounding the recent discovery of king richard iiis bones in a leicester car park, archaeologists from across the country are now turning their attention to the next great unsolved mystery of the. King alfred the great 849899 ad alfred was king of wessex from 871899. King alfred s book of dooms judgments alfred the great alfred successfully defended his kingdom against the viking attempt at conquest, and by the time of his death had become the dominant ruler in england. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Asser is most famous for his the life of king alfred, written in 893, which is one of the first biographies of a ruler in english history. Books in both languages, namely, latin and saxon, were read in the school. He was the first monarch from the british isles to style himself as king of the anglosaxons and so he is sometimes considered the first english king. This book provides a reassessment of the famous rul. Post jobs, find pros, and collaborate commissionfree in our professional marketplace.
The ninth century in all its course was the century of alfred the great. Admittedly he does dismantle previous ideas of alfred learning to read late in life, assers authorship of the life of alfred, the presence of an international circle of scholars and alfreds. Batman and robin are staying in an old castle in england, where they came in pursuit of a criminal who escaped arrest in gotham city. King alfred the great has been added to your cart add to cart. Danelaw the territory occupied by the danes in east anglia is recognised by alfred. When alfred came to power in the south of england at age 23, his grandfather, father, and four of his brothers had all been kings before him, and anglosaxon society was facing its greatest challenge in the growing incursions of the vikings and the seemingly invincible progress of the great army of danes. Asser, bishop of sherborne, completes his book the life of alfred the great. Alfred the great simple english wikipedia, the free. It wouldnt be the first time that happened to me with a king novel, and there are at least two books considerably higher up this list of which that is true. Alfred, also spelled aelfred, byname alfred the great, born.
No other ruler in englands long and varied history has been honored with the title the great. Soldier, statesman, and scholar, alfred the great was a fascinating and highly successful king, pushing back the vikings to command what is now thought of as the heart of england as ruler of wessex from 871899. The life and accomplishments of englands sole title holder of the great. Giles in parentheses publications medieval latin series cambridge, ontario 2000.
In this, the first major biography of king alfred since 1902, his life, career and enduring legacy are given a radical new interpretation, putting into question most of our assumptions. He is credited with founding the english monarchy, codifying laws, founding the university of oxford, and inventing the lantern. Page 376 i have carefully and regularly perused these holy scriptures, and am of opinion, that the volume, independently of its divine origin, contains more. I find alfred to be a really interesting character in the novels and now i want to read some nonfiction on his life. Very well written book about alfred the great, a remarkable medieval king. King alfred the great and our common law dr f n lee. King alfreds will is one of only two anglo saxon kings wills that have survived the other being king eadreds 946 955ad.
Born at wantage, berkshire, in 849, alfred was the fifth son of aethelwulf, king of. King alfred defended england from viking invasions and ushered in an era of learning and progress for the british isles. Alfred the great for children king alfred ks2 homework. Done into modern english, and anglosaxon chronicle, and more on. Buy now see all 3 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Alfred is a remarkable figure in the history of england. The life and times of alfred the great by charles plummer book description an annotated, documented biography of the saxon king of england, expanded from a series of six lectures delivered at oxford, with special emphasis on alfreds literary works and military campaigns. The lawcode of king alfred the great 871 99 is one of the largest and most ambitious legislative enactments to survive from anglosaxon england. Alfred, king of wessex 871899, a saxon kingdom in southwestern england. Alfred, also spelled aelfred, byname alfred the great, born 849died 899, king of wessex 871899, a saxon kingdom in southwestern england. Lee in 1892, the famous german church historian rev. Born at wantage, berkshire, in 849, alfred was the fifth son of aethelwulf, king of the west saxons.
King alfred the great colouring page alfred the great. Kurtz1 called king alfred the greatest and noblest of all the monarchs england has ever had. It is also the source of most of contemporary historians knowledge of alfreds life and rule. Librivox recording of king alfred of england by jacob abbott. The whole works of king alfred the great, with preliminary. How king alfred learnt to read teaching at primary school. The book, alfred the great, contains an introduction that explains the details of alfreds life. The problem with smyths opinion of king alfred the great is not that he is too critical. He prevented england from falling to the danes and promoted learning and literacy. Novels about king alfred continue to be written, as new titles are discovered they will be added to the list.
Page 86 ethelwerd the youngest, by the divine counsels and the admirable prudence of the king, was consigned to the schools of learning, where, with the children of almost all the nobility of the country, and many also who were not noble, he prospered under the diligent care of his teachers. Assers life of king alfred, written in 893, is a revealing account of one of the greatest of medieval kings. People coloring pages coloring pages to print coloring book pages printable coloring pages middle ages history history for kids writing practice for kids carolingian famous french. He is the bestknown anglosaxon king in british history thanks to his biographer asser died c. Synopsis alfred is the only english king ever to be called great. Compilation of the anglosaxon chronicle began during his reign, circa 890. Saxons, at the royal village of wanating, 1 in berkshire, which country has its name from the wood of berroc, where the box. This is a remarkable and rich book on aethelflaed, daughter and eldest child of king alfred, and which in many respects adapted his policies in mercia, first. Alfred once declared it his intention to live worthily as long as i live and after my life to leave to them that should come after, my memory in good works. Barbara yorke considers the reputation of king alfred the great, and the.
King alfred biography and achievements biography online. This chapter discusses the list of original works from the hand of king alfred as well as translations of latin writers from late antiquity. Buy king alfred the great 1st edition by smyth, alfred p. The book evokes the time in which alfred lived, and the roles that he played in. Justin pollards enthralling, authoritative account befits alfred a. Books spine is slightly loose, bumps on back corners, broad tear on front pastedown endpaper, twoinch tear on back pastedown endpaper. Recently, ive been reading bernard cornwells warrior chronicles, which is a series of historical fiction novels set in anglosaxon england during the reign of alfred the great.