The New Student's Reference Work/Alfred the Great

Alfred the Great, king of the West Saxons, was born at Wantage, Berkshire, in 849. The youngest of four sons, he succeeded to the crown on the death of his brother Ethelred at the age of 22. He had already given proof of ability as a general in driving back the constant invasions of the, the most terrible warriors of , and a large part of his reign was spent in preserving the liberty of his country against these northern foes. At first he was unsuccessful, and by 878 the invaders had overrun the entire kingdom of the West Saxons, while Alfred was driven into its forests. But he refused to be beaten, and soon the tide of fortune turned. Building a stronghold on an island in the wastes of Somersetshire, still known as Athelney (the island of the nobles), he made frequent sallies against the enemy, and soon found himself at the head of an army with which he totally defeated them. He then built 's first fleet and soon grew so powerful, both by land and sea, that he was recognized as sovereign of all England. During the years of peace which followed Alfred busied himself in rebuilding the cities which had suffered in the wars, in training the people in the use of arms and in founding those wise laws and institutions which helped so much in making England great and happy in later years. In an age of ignorance he was a fine scholar, and did much in founding schools and encouraging literature. Toward the close of his reign, after a hard contest of three years, he was again victorious over his old enemies, the Danes. He died in 901, leaving his country in peace and prosperity as the result of that wise and energetic rule which endeared him to all Englishmen as their best and greatest ruler.