Why is King Alfred called 'the Great?'

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

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Why is King Alfred called 'the Great?'

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	Created by Esther Muresan over 6 years ago