High School History 2.28 Alfred the Great Courageously Fights for Freedom

Alfred the Freedom Fighter Alfred the Great was the Anglo- Saxon king of Wessex from 871 to 899 and is considered the founder of the modern English Nation. Alfred was the youngest of six children of Ethelwuf, King of Wessex. All of Alfred's brothers died by 871, and he became king at the young age of 22.

Alfred’s mother influenced his character. Asser the biographer tells us that Alfred’s mother, Osburh, was a most religious woman who was noble in birth and in character. Alfred loved the traditional poetry of the Anglo-Saxons, which he memorized as his mother read to him. It has been said that on one occasion Alfred was stimulated to learn heroic songs by a desire to outdo his older brother and win the praise of his mother.

History of the Anglo-Saxons The Anglo-Saxons were a group of Germanic tribes who had migrated to the island of Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries and took control of England from the native Britons. After their conversion to Christianity in the seventh century, they absorbed much of the Latin culture and blended their Germanic traditions for a distinctive civilization that provided for stable political and social institutions.

The Growing Threat from the Danes. Up until that time, the island of Great Britain was divided between different warring kingdoms. During King Alfred’s reign, Viking invaders from Denmark frequently landed on British soil causing much damage, fear, and loss of life. At one point it looked as if the Danes would completely conquer Britain. They repeatedly came in their ships to plunder, rob, and then sail away again. It was their intention to kill the British people and occupy the land for themselves.

The Battles of Wessex with the Danes. Wessex was the only kingdom that had not been conquered by the Danes during the invasion of 866. By 871 the Danes had established permanent settlements in the North Midlands and in East Anglia. Early in 878, while Alfred’s armies were scattered for the winter, a Danish army controlled Mercia made a surprise attack on the West Saxons, capturing much of the kingdom.

Battle with the Danes. The 870s saw continuing war against the Danes, who were numerous, skilled, treacherous, and well-led wanted conquest and settlement. They also sought to destroy Christian faith and institutions. In 878, surprised by King Guthrum at Chippenham, Alfred fled to Athelney (Somerset), but defeated the Danes in a desperate last-stand battle at Edington. The results were the treaty of Wedmore.

Marshes of Somerset King Alfred was forced to retreat from the invaders with a small troop to the impassable marshes of Somerset. Here King Alfred marshaled the troops and led a swift and decisive counter attack which defeated the Viking invaders. This not only relieved the perilous situation, but gave a new found confidence to Alfred and his commitment to a united Britain.

The Legendary Story of Alfred burning the cakes. It is during this retreat from the invaders that the legendary story of Alfred taking refuge in the house of an old woman took place. Alfred was unrecognizable as the king as he sat by her fire only to become distracted from his task of keeping her cakes from burning in the oven. As the legend is told, King Alfred was soundly scolded for failing at this task.

The Isle of Nobles While Alfred worked on the Isle of Nobles, he sent messengers who secretly seized the great Danish banner called the Raven. This victory cheered the English and when the people heard of it, more and more of them gathered around their king. Alfred now began to feel that the time for striking a blow had come. But first he wanted to find out exactly how many Danes there were and what plans they had.

Alfred secretly gained information. Alfred dressed himself like a minstrel or singer, and taking his harp, went to the Danish camp. There he began to play upon his harp and to sing the songs he had learned when he was a boy. Alfred stayed in the Danish camp for several days, singing his songs and playing sweet music, and all the time watching and listening. (This is a satirical drawing of Alfred and the Danish king.)

Alfred uses his music to gain military strategies. The Danes were a fierce, wild people, yet they loved music and poetry. They were delighted with Alfred’s songs, and he was allowed to wander through the camp wherever he liked. Through this means he found out how many Danes there were, and where the camp was strong and where it was weak. He listened to the king as he talked to his captains and, when he had found out everything he could, he slipped quietly away and went back to the Isle of Nobles. The Danes were sorry when they found that the gentle minstrel had gone. Little did they think that it was the great and brave King Alfred who had been singing and playing to them.

Spring of 878 In the spring of 878 Alfred fortified the Isle of Athelny in Somerset and battled against an increase of Danish raiding parties until more West Saxons joined his efforts. Seven weeks later, Alfred left Athelney to join the militias of Somerset, Wiltshire, and Hampshire. Within an additional ten days, Alfred’s army decisively defeated the Danes. The invaders swore to leave Wessex. The Danish King Guthrum was baptized as a Christian and Alfred became his godfather, giving him the English name of AEthelstan. England was saved and King Alfred began at once to reorganize the land and sea defenses of the West Saxons in order to prevent further Danish inroads.

Treaty of Wedmore 878 King Alfred of Wessex defeated a Viking army at the Battle of Edington. Guthrum, the Viking leader, retreated with the remnants of his army to their "stronghold", where Alfred besieged him. After fourteen days the Vikings "thoroughly terrified by hunger, cold and fear" sought peace and sent an emissary to Alfred. Alfred accepted Guthrum's surrender. According to Asser, in his Life of Alfred, the Vikings gave Alfred peace hostages, and "swore in addition that they would leave his kingdom immediately, and Guthrum, their king, promised to accept Christianity and to receive baptism at King Alfred's hand; all of which he and his men fulfilled as they had promised." Three weeks later Guthrum and thirty of his men came to Alfred at Aller, near Athelney, and there Guthrum was baptised, with Alfred accepting him as his adoptive son. Then, according to Asser:the unbinding of the chrisom on the eighth day took place at a royal estate called Wedmore.

The Treaty of Wedmore In the Life of Alfred, by biographer Asser, the Vikings gave Alfred peace hostages, and agreed to the following: "swore in addition that they would leave his kingdom immediately, and Guthrum, their king, promised to accept Christianity and to receive baptism at King Alfred's hand; all of which he and his men fulfilled as they had promised.“ It was at Wedmore that Guthrum accepted Alfred as his adoptive father and accepted the Christian faith. There was clearly an important element here of Alfred exercising his dominance. Discuss the following: What do you think were the greater consequences of this treaty on the people and for the future of Britain?

King Alfred’s courage united England. In the future Alfred actively promoted proper naval and land defenses, which weakened the effectiveness of future Viking invasions. King Alfred is credited for reducing the many Anglo- Saxon kingdoms to a unified nation under a central monarchy. Alfred’s courage and military skill prevented the Danes from conquering England until the early 11 th century.

Reason and Relate Relate the following scripture: “Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the Lord do that which is good in his sight.” 1 Chronicles 19:13 Discuss the following: In what ways did Alfred seek freedom for his people? Was it only a matter of land and power? How did Alfred show a concern for the religious freedom of his people? What did he provide for them?

Discuss the military implications of King Alfred’s quote. King Alfred said, “I desired to live worthily as long as I lived, and to leave after my life, to the men who should come after me, the memory of me in good works.”