Alfred was ill throughout his life. He was a sickly child, even being allegedly sent to Ireland to seek healing. This sickliness may in part be responsible for him not being physically strong.

During Alfred’s life he suffered from a debilitating illness which affected him initially at his wedding in 868. Whilst it is difficult to diagnose, one of the most supported theories is that he had Crohns Disease, which meant that his diet was restricted with him often relying on milk and honey.

Alfred died on 26^th October 899, aged between fifty and fifty-two. He had reigned for twenty-eight years. It is not certain what the cause of death was. His body was buried in the New Minster, in Winchester in 901 by his son Edward, having been moved from the Old Minster, its original resting place.

Its is not currently known where his remains are as his body was moved to Hyde Abbey in 1110, but when the abbey was dissolved in 1539 it was not known where his bones were.

His son Edward (the Elder) succeeded him.