A - Alfred The Great of England

Don't you wish you could go back to high school and pay better attention sometimes? I do. I hated history class, and now, I am learning history over again, especially when it is part of my family tree.  This week I chose Alfred The Great of England to write about. He is considered my 34th  Great Grandfather in my family tree.  I am going to give you the low-down of his life, in "cliff note" style (yes, back to high school)!

·         Alfred The Great was born in 849 A.D in Bershire, England. He died between 899-901 A.D in Hampshire, England

·         At five years of age, Alfred was sent to Rome where, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, he was confirmed by Pope Leo IV who "anointed him as King"

·         Alfred was married to Ealhswyth of Mercia in 868 A.D.

·         They had 5 or 6 children, one being Edward "The Elder" of England.

·         In 868, Alfred fought beside his brother Ethelred (who was essentially co-king with him) and unsuccessfully attempted to keep the invading Danes out of the adjoining Kingdom of Mercia.

·         At the end of 870, the Danes arrived in his home land. The year that followed has been called "Alfred's year of battles". Nine general engagements were fought.

·         In April 871, his brother, King Ethelred died, probably from wounds received at the Battle of Merton. Alfred succeeded to the throne of Wessex.

·         He was King of the Southern Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Wessex from 871 to 899

·         Alfred was known for the defense of his kingdom against the Danish Vikings; many kingdoms were falling to the Vikings but Wessex was still with standing.

·         He became the only English King to be awarded the epithet 'The Great'

·         Alfred encouraged education and built schools

·         He learned from the wise and passed on the knowledge to others

·          Alfred statue in Winchester, UK is pictured above. The Church features him not only because of his political achievements, by defeating the Vikings, and keeping England for the English, but for his personal faith and promotion of learning, especially among the parish clergy.

·         Every English monarch of England and subsequently every monarch of Great Britain and the United Kingdom (with the exception of William the Conqueror and his adversary Harold II) down to Queen Elizabeth II (and her own descendants) is directly descended from Alfred The Great of England, including my family.

I hope you enjoyed the "cliff note" version of Alfred The Great of England life and was able to learn a little bit about him. There are alot more facts to read about him.....if I can stay awake while I read them.