Group project for Anglo-Saxon Literature at Utah Valley University.

Professor:  Dr. Rick McDonald

Group members:  Chris, Jeanie, Brandon, & Paul  Spring semester 2010

King Alfred the Great

King Alfred the Great Alfred the Great (also Ælfred from the Old English Ælfrēd, pronounced [ˈælfreːd]) (c. 849 – 26 October 899) was king of the southern Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex from 871 to 899. Alfred is noted for his defence of the kingdom against the Danish Vikings, becoming the only English King to be awarded the epithet "the Great". Alfred was the first King of the West Saxons to style himself " King of the Anglo-Saxons". Details of his life are discussed in a work by the Welsh scholar Asser. Alfred was a learned man, and encouraged education and improved his kingdom's law system as well as its military structure.

 

Reign 23 April 871 – 26 October 899
Predecessor Æthelred of Wessex
Successor Edward the Elder
Spouse Ealhswith

Family

Father: Ethelwulf
Mother: Osburga
Brother: King Ethelbald
Brother: King Ethelbert
Brother: King Ethelred I

Offspring

Ælfthryth
AEthelflaed
Ethelgiva
Edward the Elder
Æthelwærd

 

Full name

Ælfrēd of Wessex
Royal house House of Wessex
Father Æthelwulf of Wessex
Mother Osburga
Born c. 849
Wantage, Berkshire
Died 26 October 899 (around 50)
Burial c. 1100
Winchester, Hampshire, now lost.

 

 

 

 

The tale of the griddle-cakes. It is this time, at the low ebb of Anglo-Saxon resistance to the Danes, that is commemorated in the folk tale of Alfred and the griddle cakes. The story goes that Alfred was so low in his fortunes that he was forced to travel anonymously and seek lodging in a peasant woman's hut. Told to mind the cakes cooking on the fire, Alfred let his thoughts wander to his troubles. The cakes burned, and the peasant woman gave her king a good scolding for his carelessness. True or not, (probably not, but it sounds good), the story illustrates the depth to which the young Alfred had sunk in his battle with the Danish invaders. From that point on, however, things began to look up.

 

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