🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Anglo-Saxon England Unit 9 – Alfred the Great: Unifying England

Who Was Alfred the Great?

• King of Wessex from 871 to 899, becoming the dominant ruler in England
• Born in 849 as the youngest son of King Æthelwulf of Wessex
• Earned the epithet "the Great" for his military successes, administrative reforms, and cultural initiatives
• Fought against Viking invasions, securing his kingdom and laying the foundation for a unified England
• Implemented a system of burhs (fortified towns) to defend against Viking attacks
• Reformed the legal system by issuing a new law code based on Christian principles
• Promoted education and learning, translating Latin works into Old English
• Considered one of the most influential and successful English kings

Historical Context: England Before Alfred

• England was divided into several Anglo-Saxon kingdoms (Wessex, Mercia, East Anglia, and Northumbria)
• Constant power struggles and conflicts among the kingdoms weakened their ability to defend against external threats
• Viking raids intensified in the 9th century, with the establishment of the Danelaw in the north and east of England
  • Danelaw: Areas under Viking control where Danish laws and customs prevailed
• Christianity had been introduced to England in the 6th century, but pagan beliefs still persisted
• The Anglo-Saxon society was primarily agricultural, with a hierarchical structure of kings, nobles, freemen, and slaves
• Trade and cultural exchange with continental Europe were limited due to the constant threat of Viking attacks

Alfred's Early Life and Rise to Power

• Received education in Latin, literature, and Christian teachings during his youth
• Accompanied his father, King Æthelwulf, on a pilgrimage to Rome in 853
• Witnessed the Viking sack of Winchester in 860, which likely influenced his future military strategies
• Succeeded his brother Æthelred I as King of Wessex in 871 during a time of intense Viking invasions
  • Æthelred died from wounds sustained in battle against the Vikings
• Negotiated a peace treaty with the Viking leader Guthrum in 878, following a decisive victory at the Battle of Edington
  • Treaty of Wedmore: Guthrum agreed to convert to Christianity and withdraw from Wessex

Military Campaigns and Viking Threats

• Implemented the Burghal Hidage system, a network of fortified towns (burhs) to defend against Viking attacks
  • Each burh was strategically located and garrisoned with a local militia
• Reorganized the fyrd, the Anglo-Saxon army, by dividing it into two rotating contingents
  • Allowed for a standing army while ensuring the continuity of agricultural production
• Constructed a fleet of ships to counter Viking naval superiority and protect the coasts
• Achieved a decisive victory against the Vikings at the Battle of Edington in 878
• Secured the allegiance of the Welsh kings to create a united front against the Vikings
• Established a system of diplomacy and alliances with other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms to strengthen collective defense

Administrative and Legal Reforms

• Issued a new law code, known as the Domboc or the Code of Alfred, based on Christian principles
  • Incorporated elements of Mosaic law and Anglo-Saxon customary law
  • Emphasized the importance of justice, mercy, and the protection of the weak
• Divided his kingdom into shires, each governed by an ealdorman (nobleman) and a shire-reeve (sheriff)
  • Improved local administration and the enforcement of laws
• Promoted the use of written records and charters to ensure the fair distribution of land and resources
• Encouraged the growth of trade and commerce by minting new silver pennies and establishing a standardized system of weights and measures
• Reformed the taxation system to support the burhs and the standing army

Cultural and Educational Initiatives

• Lamented the decline of Latin learning in England and sought to revive it
• Invited scholars from continental Europe, such as Grimbald and John the Old Saxon, to his court
• Personally translated several Latin works into Old English, including Gregory the Great's "Pastoral Care" and Boethius' "The Consolation of Philosophy"
  • Made these translations available to a wider audience, promoting literacy and learning
• Established a court school to educate his own children and the sons of nobles
• Encouraged the use of the vernacular Old English in written works and legal documents
  • Helped to preserve and develop the English language
• Sponsored the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a historical record of events in England
  • Provided valuable insights into Alfred's reign and the challenges faced by the Anglo-Saxons

Alfred's Legacy: Unifying England

• Laid the foundation for the future unification of England under his successors
• Secured Wessex as the dominant Anglo-Saxon kingdom, paving the way for its expansion
• Established a strong, centralized government that could effectively defend against external threats
• Promoted a sense of English identity through his legal reforms, cultural initiatives, and the use of the English language
• Served as a model for future English kings, who sought to emulate his success and leadership
• Recognized as "King of the Anglo-Saxons" by the end of his reign, a title reflecting his influence and authority

Impact on Anglo-Saxon Society and Beyond

• Strengthened the role of the monarchy in Anglo-Saxon society
  • Kings became more powerful and influential, with increased control over land, resources, and the military
• Encouraged the growth of towns and trade, leading to increased economic prosperity
• Promoted the spread of Christianity and the establishment of a more unified Church in England
• Influenced the development of English Common Law through his legal reforms and emphasis on justice
• Contributed to the preservation and growth of the English language and literature
• Inspired later medieval kings, such as Henry II and Edward I, who sought to centralize power and reform the legal system
• Remembered as a model of Christian kingship and a symbol of English national identity