| Alfred the Great has taken on somewhat legendary status in the eyes of many. This is largely derived from the image held by many of Alfred as the first king of England and given that he is only one of only two English to be given the cognomen 'the Great' (the other being Cnut the Great, 1016–35). Whilst he was not technically the first king of the English he was able to secure a dynasty on the brink of collapse under the threat of the Vikings. He provided the basis from which his son and grandson would build on to further Wessex's control of England, up to Æthelstan's defeat of the Vikings in the Kingdom of York and him becoming king of all England. On this website I hope to offer a way for people to study a great king, looking at his life and the achievements and failures that make up his remarkable story. Click on a link in the sidebar, or click here to begin exploring Alfred's life. |
