King Alfred of Wessex and Mercia (Old English meaning “elf counsel”) is the illegitimate son of Judith and Athelstan. He was protected by the late King Ecbert, who claims that God has very special plans for him. He is also seen as having a great destiny by his step-father, King Aethelwulf.

https://www.sbs.com.au/programs/vikings/article/2018/12/20/vikings-love-brutal-mistress

Trivia:

As an Anglo-Saxon prince, his real title would be Alfred aetheling. Aethel (or athel) is the Old English word for noble, whilst “ing” denotes smaller or lesser status. So it would mean a smaller status within the Wessex royal house. The same title would be akin to his brother, Aethelred, who in turn would named Aethelred atheling. Any son of a king would possess the title Aetheling, inclusive of Aethelwulf prior to being King.

The name Alfred means “elf counsel”. Anglo-Saxons commonly held compound names, with real-life examples Edward the Confessor (rich protector), Aethelred Unraed (Aethelred = noble counsel, Unraed = ill counsel, though he is incorrectly known as the Unready), Eadred (rich counsel), Athelstan (noble stone), Edgar the Peaceful (rich spear) all as Kings of England. Athelstan, his late father, would thus hold the name “noble stone”. Stan is the Old English for the modern English word stone. His brother’s name means “noble counsel”, whilst his father’s name refers to “noble wolf”.

In real life, Alfred had four brothers, all of whom were full brothers, and sons of King Aethelwulf of Wessex. After the death of their father, and the Great Heathen Army’s invasions of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, he succeeded his brother King Aethelred as King of Wessex due to Aethelred’s sons being too young to take the throne, following the Battle of Merton.

The real life Alfred was noted to be a very studious boy, though as a younger brother was unlikely to be king. He may have ended up in the clergy, or have been a senior thegn (or noble) to his elder brothers once they were kings. However, many younger sons or children eventually became kings in succession to their siblings in this period, as they were trusted military assistants and counsels and thus had the skills and knowhow to rule. Alfred’s own children, King Edward the Elder and Lady Athelflead, succeeded each other in reconquering Norse areas of England. Alfred’s grandchildren, Kings Athelstan, Edmund and Eadred, all were successors of a united England.

https://www.inquisitr.com/5216627/history-channels-vikings-season-5-recap-of-episode-14-the-lost-moment/

Whilst never King of England in the strict sense, he is the only sovereign in the lineage of English monarchs to have the epithet “the Great”. The first King of England is recognised to be Athelstan (r. 927–939), who in 927 AD/CE united the reconquered Danelaw areas, Wessex, and Norse York/Northumbria, into a singular Kingdom of the English. King Athelstan was a grandson of Alfred the Great.

King Alfred’s life was recorded by his bishop, Asser, and he is said to have re-founded the modern city of London following the Norse invasions, instituted military reforms inclusive of localised defensive centres, created a standing navy, and ensured major literary works were translated into Old English.

Personality:

Alfred is shown to be somewhat shy, as he runs away and hides at Ecbert’s court when in front of a large crowd of people. He is also quite knowledgeable in biblical stories, as he is able to answer Pope Leo’s questions on Jesus’ crucifixion, despite Alfred’s young age.

He also excels at board games, having defeated Ivar the Boneless at chess at the Wessex royal villa, whilst Ragnar Lothbrok was being held by King Ecbert.

More about Alfred: https://vikings.fandom.com/wiki/Alfred

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