Why Was King Alfred So Great?
A shining light in the Dark Ages
Certain parts of our past crop up again and again. Nazi Germany, the USSR, the Industrial Revolution, the Renaissance, and the Roman Empire are just some of the periods we’re regularly exposed to.
The Dark Ages don’t get much attention, however. Whilst they’re sometimes featured in popular culture, the average person has little knowledge of this period.
As for Alfred the Great, most people probably recognise the name, but few would be able to explain why this king was such an impressive individual.
The Vikings
When Alfred became King of Wessex in 871, the Saxons were in the midst of a bloody conflict with the Viking invaders. Following the fall of Mercia in 876, Alfred knew it was only a matter of time before Wessex suffered a similar fate.
His fears came true in January 878 when a Viking force led by King Guthrum invaded Wessex from the East Midlands. Alfred was forced to flee and took refuge at a fortified base in the marshlands of Somerset.
From here, he mobilized his West Saxon forces and overwhelmed Guthrum’s army at the Battle of Edington. Alfred then pursued the Danes to their base at Chippenham and forced them to leave Wessex. As for Guthrum, he was baptised after…
