Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Why is King Alfred called 'the Great?'
- HE DEFEATED THE DANES
- Battle at Edington 878
- Made the Treaty of Wedmore (AD 886)
- Guthrum and his army would leave Wessex
- Important Vikings were left behind as hostages to prevent future attacks
- Guthrum agreed to become a Christian
- Danelaw was established
- East. (Where Danish law ruled)
- Alfred was now the real ruler of England outside Danish lands
- Danish lands in North and East
- DEFENDED THE KINGDOM
- Burhs - fortified town (espec. around Wessex, Roman walls used if poss.)
- Walls to protect
- Army (fyrd) reorganized and always ready for action
- Split in two - one half farming and working and other ready for attack- then swap
- Navy - a new fleet built to counter the Vikings at sea
- as they come from overseas
- 'ENGLAND'S SCHOOL MASTER'
- Alfred learnt to read and write, In English and Latin at aged nearly 40!
- Set up schools for sons of nobles
- because education had drastically fallen during the attacks
- Translated books form Latin to 'Englisc'
- The Anglo-Saxon which was mainly a spoken language
- Including 'Bede's History'
- Also brought talented European scholars (and craftsmen) across the chanel
- A KEEN HISTORIAN
- Started the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
- A kind of diary in years rather than days
- From Alfred's time onwards it is very detailed
- Before his time it was rather sketchy
- The ASC was kept by monks in monasteries around England
- One goes up to 1154!
- He wanted his people to know who they were and where they came from .
- Conclusiom
- Alfred is the only English king called 'the great' he earned his title
- governed well and fairly, making it a much more happier and developed country
- When he dies in 899, Wessex was a stronger, safer, better place.
- Alfred can be seen as the first king of all England. (thanks to the Vikings)
- even called 'King of the English' on coins
- LAWGIVER - BOOK OF DOOMS (LAWS)
- He took the most just laws from the other kingdoms and used them for Wessex
- To protect his people
- Wrote the book that had all the laws
- ALFRED AS A HERO OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
- Built many fine churches, monasteries and royal halls.
- Led well through his Christian example