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Alfred the Great - Saviour of the Saxons Documentary

The People Profiles・40 minutes read

Alfred the Great, King of Wessex, implemented military reforms, fortified southern England, and promoted education, transforming Wessex into England. His legacy as a wise scholar and model king endured through his reign, leading to the establishment of a centralized English state after his death in 899.

Insights

  • Alfred the Great, despite facing Viking invasions and family tensions, implemented military reforms like the creation of the Fyrd and building a chain of forts called burrs in Wessex, establishing a defensive system that mobilized thousands for security and defense against Viking threats.
  • Alfred's legacy goes beyond military achievements; he focused on scholarly pursuits, creating a learned society at Winchester, establishing schools, and promoting education in Latin and the vernacular. His reign marked the foundation of a centralized state in Britain, uniting England and solidifying the English state through his son Edward and grandson Athelstan.

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  • Who wrote "The Life of King Alfred"?

    Asser

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Summary

00:00

Alfred the Great: King of Wessex

  • Alfred the Great was born in the late 840s in Wantage, Berkshire, with his father being Ethelwolf, the King of Wessex in 839.
  • Alfred's mother was Osbor, described as a very religious woman, and he was the youngest of six children, with four brothers and one sister.
  • There are no existing portraits or contemporary images of Alfred, and he was born into a medium-sized family.
  • The best account of Alfred's life is found in "The Life of King Alfred" by a Welsh monk named Asser, who knew Alfred personally.
  • Alfred did not learn to read until he was 12 years old, and he suffered from Crohn's disease, which likely contributed to his early death in 899.
  • The world Alfred was born into was rapidly changing after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, leading to fragmented states in Western Europe.
  • Wessex, where Alfred was born, was ascendant in the 9th century, and Alfred faced family tensions within the royal family.
  • Alfred succeeded his brother Ethelred as King of Wessex in 871, facing a crisis due to Viking invasions led by Guthrum.
  • Alfred faced victories and setbacks against the Vikings, introducing military reforms and negotiating a temporary peace with Guthrum.
  • Military reforms during Alfred's reign included the creation of the Fyrd, an Anglo-Saxon militia, to secure Wessex against Viking threats.

17:00

Alfred's Military and Economic Innovations in Wessex

  • Alfred divided the population of fighting age males in Wessex into two groups each year, with one group staying home and the other on active military duty.
  • Alfred initiated a system where up to half of Wessex's fighting age males could be called upon during severe military emergencies.
  • Alfred patronized the building of ships with sixty oars, establishing England's maritime dominance.
  • Alfred built a chain of forts throughout Wessex, termed burrs, to serve as refuge centers during Viking raids.
  • The burr system mobilized up to 27,000 men in Wessex for defense and maintenance.
  • The Burghal Hidage document details the forts' establishment, maintenance, and defense, ensuring security in southern England.
  • In 878, Guthrum attacked Wessex, leading to Alfred's narrow escape and subsequent battle at Eddington.
  • The Battle of Eddington resulted in a victory for Alfred, leading to the Treaty of Wedmore with Guthrum.
  • The Treaty of Wedmore established peace terms, fixed boundaries, and saw Alfred receive London.
  • Alfred's financial reforms, including the burr system's financing and extracting bribes from the Danes, led to Wessex's affluence and a stable coinage system.

34:11

Alfred the Great: Scholarly King and Reformer

  • Alfred's law code was based on older Wessex law and included elements of the Mosaic law and early papal directives, emphasizing loyalty to the ruler and obedience to God.
  • Alfred's legal reforms introduced the concepts of felony and treason, establishing the foundation of royal power and legal practices in the English legal system.
  • Despite extensive documentation on Alfred's reign, little is known about his efforts to reform or rebuild ecclesiastical institutions, possibly due to concerns about Viking invasions.
  • Alfred's military reforms and burh system made it difficult for the Danes to penetrate south into Wessex, leading to intermittent conflicts in the 890s but not posing an existential threat.
  • Alfred focused on developing a learned court at Winchester, envisioning himself as a wise king presiding over scholarly facets like his own writings, a court of scholars, and an educational system.
  • Alfred's scholarly output included works on law, translations of Pope Gregory's writings, and texts on philosophy and religion, reflecting his pursuit of knowledge for the sake of being a good king.
  • Alfred's patronage of learning extended to hiring renowned scholars like Plegemund, Grimbald, and John the Old Saxon, aiming to create a learned society at Winchester.
  • Alfred established a school at the royal court in Winchester, promoting education in the vernacular and Latin, with the goal of creating a group of educated governors and administrators for Wessex.
  • Alfred's reign expanded Wessex's control over London and southern England, forging alliances with Welsh rulers and laying the groundwork for a centralized state in Britain.
  • Alfred's death in 899 marked the end of his reign, leaving behind a kingdom that his son Edward and grandson Athelstan further expanded, ultimately uniting England and solidifying the English state.

50:53

Alfred the Great: Defender and Reformer

  • Alfred the Great faced attacks in the 880s and 890s, but his establishment of fortifications in southern England ensured safety for his subjects. Beyond the battlefield, he reformed Wessex's finances, developed London, and supported church and education, leaving a lasting legacy transforming Wessex into the state of England by his death in 899.
  • Alfred was a scholar, avoiding unnecessary wars and internal conflicts, earning the title of a model king. His reign not only defended Wessex from the Danes but also laid the foundation for the English state, a legacy that endures to this day.
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