Alfred the Great (848/9 -899)

Alfred the Great was the king of th e West Saxons from 871-886 and king of the Anglo-Saxons c.886-899.
He is venerated as a saint by some Christian traditions. The Anglican community venerate him as a Christian hero with a feast day or commemoration on 26th October. He is often depicted in stained glass windows in C of E parish churches.

Alfred was the youngest son of King AEthelwulf. Three of his brothers AEthelbald. AEtheberht and AEthelred, reigned in turn before him.

After ascending the throne he spent several years fighting Viking invasions. In 878/9 he had a decisive victory at the Battle of Edington. (He did not win all the battles) With the Vikings he created Danelaw in the North of England. He saw the Viking leader. Guthrum converted to Christianity. He became the dominant ruler in England

Alfred had a great love of the church. As a child he had made the difficult journey to Rome to be blessed by the Pope.

As king he now turned to rebuilding of civilisation and religion among his people.
The Danes had destroyed nearly all th churches and schools in the land. He restored communications with Rome and invited scholars and monks from the Europe and Ireland to come and help in the revival of learning in England. He encouraged the building of churches, monasteries and schools.

Alfred studied and translated into Anglo-Saxon the Psalms. He also translated from Latin into Old English certain works that were regarded at the time as providing models of ideal Christian kingship and ‘most necessary for all men to know.’

From his followers he won the title ‘Protector of the Poor’.

Bishop Asser of Wales was set the task of writing the king’s biography - he emphasised Alfred’s positive aspects. He presented Alfred as the embodiment of the ideal, but practical, Christian ruler.
By the time of the Reformation Alfred was seen as a pious Christian who promoted the use of English rather then the Latin

He was given the epithet as ‘the Great’ by writers in the 16th century not by his contemporaries.

He reigned for 30 years. He died aged just 50.King Alfred was never canonised (although HenryV1 asked Pope EugeneIV in 1441 to canonise him).

History Today published an article The Most Perfect Man in History- I have enclosed most of the article.

I desire to live worthily as long as I lived, and to leave after my life, to the men who should come after me, the memory of me in good works
Alfred’s translation of passage from* Consolation of Philosophy* by Boethius

Source used
Wikipedia