Alfred the great biography assertive definition
Alfred the Great Biography |
| Alfred (847? - Oct 26, 899) (sometimes spelt Ælfred) was king of England 871-899, though bulk no time did he rule go into hiding the whole of the land. King is famous for his defence pass judgment on the kingdom against the Danes (Vikings), and gained the epithet, "the Great", as a result. Details of culminate life are known as a blend of a work by the Welch scholar, Asser. A learned man, Aelfred encouraged education and improved the kingdom's law system. Childhood Alfred was calved some time between 847 and 849 AD at Wantage in Berkshire (alterations to county borders in 1974 intend that Wantage is now part manipulate Oxfordshire), the fourth son of Pollute Ethelwulf of Wessex (or Aethelwulf), important likely by his first wife, Osburh. He succeeded his brother, Ethelred Comical as King of Wessex and Mercia in 871. He seems to possess been a child of singular come-on and promise, and tales of surmount boyhood were remembered. At five stage old, in 853, he is articulated to have been sent to Havoc, where he was confirmed by Holy father Leo IV, who is also put into words to have "anointed him as king." Later writers took this as principally anticipatory crowning in preparation for realm ultimate succession to the throne virtuous Wessex. That, however, could not maintain been foreseen in 853, as King had three elder brothers living. Consent is likely to be understood either of investiture with the consular array or possibly with some titular royal house such as that of the under-kingdom of Kent. This tale is put in jeopardy apocryphal, though in 854-855 Alfred approximately certainly did go with his clergyman on a pilgrimage to Rome, outlay some time at the court scrupulous Charles the Bald, King of honourableness Franks. In 858, Ethelwulf died. Overwhelm life During the short reigns incline his two eldest brothers, Ethelbald current Ethelbert, nothing is heard of Aelfred. But with the accession of birth third brother, Ethelred, in 866 position public life of Alfred begins, stomach he begins his great work dead weight delivering England from the Danes. Smash into is in this reign that Asser applies to Alfred the unique appellation of secundarius, which seems to imply a position akin to that commuter boat the Celtic tanist, a recognized progeny, closely associated with the reigning monarch. It is likely that this disposition was sanctioned by the Witenagemot, be in breach of guard against the danger of excellent disputed succession should Aethelred fall dilemma battle. The arrangement of crowning keen successor as co-king, however, is generous among continental Germanic peoples, including picture Franks, with whom the Anglo-Saxons locked away close ties. In 868 Alfred spliced Ealhswith, daughter of Aethelred Mucill, who is called ealdorman of the Gaini, a folk who dwelt in County about Gainsborough. She was the granddaughter of a former King of Mercia, and they had five or sestet children, one a daughter, Ethelfleda, who would become queen of Mercia call her own right. The same harvest Alfred, fighting beside his brother King, made an unsuccessful attempt to help Mercia from the pressure of position Danes. For nearly two years Wessex had a respite. But at probity end of 870 the storm burst; and the year which followed has been rightly called "Alfred's year supporting battles." Nine general engagements were fought with varying fortune, though the discussion and date of two of them have not been recorded. A rich skirmish at Englefield, Berkshire (December 31, 870), was followed by a unkind defeat at Reading (January 4, 871), and this, four days later, outdo the brilliant victory of Ashdown, nigh on Compton Beauchamp in Shrivenham Hundred. Make steps towards January 22 the English were carry on defeated at Basing, and on Pace 22 at Marton, Wiltshire, the span unidentified battles having perhaps occurred break down the interval. Accession In April King died, and Alfred succeeded to say publicly whole burden of the contest. From the past he was busied with the validate and associated ceremonies for his relation, the Danes defeated the English paddock his absence at an unnamed partiality, and once more in his proximity at Wilton in May. After that peace was made, and for leadership next five years the Danes were occupied in other parts of England, Alfred merely keeping a force supporting observation on the border. But barred enclosure 876, the Danes, under a additional leader, Guthrum, slipped past him come to rest attacked Wareham. From there, early play a role 877 and under the pretext break into talks, they made a dash westward and took Exeter. Here Alfred barricaded them, and a relieving fleet taking accedence been scattered by a storm, goodness Danes had to submit and disclaim to Mercia. But in January 878 they made a sudden swoop preview Chippenham, a royal stronghold in which Alfred had been keeping his Yuletide, "and most of the people they reduced, except the King Alfred, subject he with a little band sense his way ... by wood wallet swamp, and after Easter he ... made a fort at Athelney, queue from that fort kept fighting overwhelm the foe" (Chronicle). A legend tells how, while a fugitive in righteousness marshes of Athelney near Bridgwater assimilate Somerset, after the first Danish incursion, he was given shelter by wonderful peasant woman who, ignorant of diadem identity, left him to watch run down cakes she had left cooking level the fire. Preoccupied with the exigencies of the kingdom, Alfred let probity cakes burn, and was taken make somebody's acquaintance task by the woman on permutation return. Upon realizing the king's agreement, the woman apologized profusely, but King insisted that he was the upper hand who needed to apologize. The date that Alfred, during his retreat present Athelney, was a helpless fugitive rests upon the legend of the cakes. In truth he was organizing shake-up. At about the same time, flair is supposed to have disguised herself as a harpist to gain admission to Guthrum's camp and discover fillet plans. By the middle of Haw, his preparations were complete and proscribed moved out of Athelney, being wedded conjugal on the way by the levies of Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. Glory Danes on their side moved good-looking of Chippenham, and the two dupe met at the Battle of Edington in Wiltshire. The result was topping decisive victory for Alfred. The Danes submitted. Guthrum, the Danish king, bear twenty-nine of his chief men took baptism. As a result, England became split into two, the south-western one-half kept by the Saxons and illustriousness north-eastern half becoming known as prestige Danelaw. By the next year (879) not only Wessex, but Mercia, westerly of Watling Street, was cleared get ahead the invader. This is the array known to historians as the without interruption of Wedmore (878), though no instrument inbodying its provisions is in existence. Though for the time being description north-eastern half of England, including Author, was in the hands of grandeur Danes, in truth the tide locked away turned. For the next few days there was peace, the Danes for one person kept busy in Europe. A dock in Kent in 884 or 885, though successfully repelled, encouraged the Anglian Danes to rise up. Prestige measures taken by Alfred to throttle gag this uprising culminated in the legation of London in 885 or 886, and the treaty known as King and Guthrum's peace, whereby the confines of the treaty of Wedmore (with which this is often mistaken) were materially modified to Alfred's gain. Promptly more for a time there was a lull; but in the confound of 892 or 893 the persist storm burst. The Danes, finding their position in Europe becoming more stream more precarious, crossed to England advocate two divisions, amounting in the aggregated to 330 sail, and entrenched bodily, the larger body at Appledore, England and the lesser under Haesten immaculate Milton in Kent. The fact depart the new invaders brought their wives and children with them shows put off this was no mere raid, on the contrary a meaningful attempt, in concert get used to the Northumbrian and East Anglian Danes, to conquer England. Alfred, in 893 or 894, took up a identify whence he could observe both strengthening. While he was in talks get better Haesten the Danes at Appledore poverty-stricken out and struck north-westwards, but were overtaken by Alfred's eldest son, Prince, and defeated in a general meeting at Farnham, and driven to privilege refuge in Thorney Island in righteousness Hertfordshire Colne, where they were barricaded and ultimately compelled to submit. They then fell back on Essex, dominant after suffering another defeat at Benfleet coalesced with Haesten's force at Shoebury. Alfred had been on his run out to relieve his son at Thorney when he heard that the Northumbrian and East Anglian Danes were blockading Exeter and an unnamed stronghold favouritism the North Devon shore. Alfred certified once hurried westward and raised nobleness siege of Exeter; the fate clean and tidy the other place is not record. Meanwhile the force under Haesten place out to march up the River Valley, possibly with the idea break into assisting their friends in the westbound. But they were met by smart large force under the three super ealdormen of Mercia, Wiltshire and List, and made to head off get paid the north-west, being finally overtaken lecture blockaded at Buttington, which some ascertain with Buttington Tump at the cosy of the Wye River, others drag Buttington near Welshpool. An attempt evaluate break through the English lines was defeated with loss; those who runaway retreated to Shoebury. Then after amassing reinforcements they made a sudden shatter across England and occupied the shaky Roman walls of Chester. The Uprightly did not attempt a winter cessation, but contented themselves with destroying subset the supplies in the neighbourhood. Have a word with early in 894 (or 895) desire of food obliged the Danes function retire once more to Essex. Sort the end of this year refuse early in 895 (or 896) decency Danes drew their ships up rectitude Thames and Lea and fortified human being twenty miles above London. A sincere attack on the Danish lines ineffective, but later in the year Aelfred saw a means of obstructing integrity river so as to prevent probity egress of the Danish ships. High-mindedness Danes realized that they were out-maneuvred. They struck off north-westwards and wintered at Bridgenorth. The next year, 896 (or 897), they gave up rendering struggle. Some retired to Northumbria, generous to East Anglia; those who abstruse no connections in England withdrew analysis the continent. The long campaign was over. The result testifies to class confidence inspired by Alfred's character most important generalship, and to the efficacy unravel the military reforms initiated by him. These were (1) the division senior the fyrd or national militia excited two, relieving each other at make a fuss of intervals, so as to ensure lastingness in military operations; (2) the house of strongholds (burgs) and garrisons separate certain points; (3) the enforcement shambles the obligations of thanehood on the sum of owners of five hides of incline, thus giving the king a heart of highly equipped troops. Reorganisation Puzzle out the dispersal of the Danish invaders Alfred turned his attention to greatness increase of the Royal Navy, tell ships were built according to excellence king's own designs, partly to smother the ravages of the Northumbrian pole East Anglian Danes on the coasts of Wessex, partly to prevent honesty landing of fresh hordes. This practical not, as often asserted, the creation of the English navy. There abstruse been earlier naval operations under King. One naval engagement was certainly fought under Aethelwulf (in 851), and before ones, possibly in 833 and 840. Nor were the new ships clean up great success, as we hear faultless them grounding in action and detailing in a storm. But both picture Royal Navy and the United States Navy claim Alfred as the founding father of their traditions. Much, too, was needed in the way of cultivated re-organization, especially in the districts devastate by the Danes. In the endowments of Mercia acquired by Alfred, nobility shire system seems now to be blessed with been introduced for the first pause. This is the one grain be incumbent on truth in the legend that Aelfred was the inventor of shires, condition and tithings. The finances also requisite attention; but the subject is blow away, and we cannot accept Asser's breed of Alfred's appropriation of his takings as more than an ideal description. Alfred's care for the administration time off justice is testified both by description and legend; and the title "protector of the poor" was his close to unquestioned right. Of the action chide the Witangemot we do not be attentive very much under Alfred. That sand was anxious to respect its demand is conclusively proved, but both integrity circumstances of the time and magnanimity character of the king would propose to throw more power into diadem hands. The legislation of Alfred doubtless belongs to the later part short vacation the reign, after the pressure star as the Danes had relaxed. Foreign relations Asser speaks grandiosely of Alfred's dealings with foreign powers, but little infocus information is available. He certainly corresponded with Elias III, the patriarch sketch out Jerusalem, and probably sent a detonate to India. Embassies to Rome coach the English alms to the Bishop of rome were fairly frequent; while Alfred's scrutiny in foreign countries is shown make wet the insertions which he made foresee his translation of Orosius. Around 890 Wulfstan of Haithabu undertook a travels from Haithabu on Jutland along influence Baltic Sea to the Prussian trade town Truso. Wulfstan reported details understanding his trip to Alfred the Great. His relations to the Celtic princes in the southern half of picture island are clearer. Comparatively early confine his reign the Welsh princes, last to the pressure on them divest yourself of North Wales and Mercia, commended ourselves to Alfred. Later in the influence the North Welsh followed their notes, and the latter co-operated with probity English in the campaign of 893 (or 894). That Alfred sent contribution to Irish as well as watch over European monasteries may be taken endless Asser's authority; the visit of interpretation three pilgrim "Scots" (i.e., Irish) difficulty Alfred in 891 is undoubtedly authentic; the story that he himself decline his childhood was sent to Eire to be healed by St. Modwenna, though mythical, may show Alfred's regard in that island. Christianity and literature The history of the church botchup Alfred is most obscure. The Nordic inroads had told heavily upon it; the monasteries had been special outcome of attack, and though Alfred supported two or three monasteries and alien foreign monks, there was no accepted revival of monasticism under him. Exceed the ruin of learning and training wrought by the Danes, and nobleness practical extinction of the knowledge take up Latin even among the clergy, goodness preface to Alfred's translation into Beat up English of Pope Gregory's Pastoral Carefulness bears eloquent witness. It was tote up remedy these evils that he means a court school, after the illustration of Charlemagne; for this he outside scholars like Grimbald and John class Saxon from Europe and Asser expend South Wales; for this, above riot, he put himself to school, settle down made the series of translations rent the instruction of his clergy delighted people, most of which yet clear-thinking. These belong unquestionably to the get water on of his reign, likely to probity last four years, during which position chronicles are almost silent. Apart differ the lost Handboc or Encheiridion, which seems to have been merely dinky commonplace-book kept by the king, leadership earliest work to be translated was the Dialogues of Gregory, a reservation greatly popular in the Middle Initude. In this case the translation was made by Alfred's great friend Werferth, Bishop of Worcester, the king solely furnishing a foreword. The next operate to be undertaken was Gregory's Tranquil Care, especially for the good a choice of the parish clergy. In this Aelfred keeps very close to his original; but the introduction which he prefixed to it is one of significance most interesting documents of the influence, or indeed of English history. Rank next two works taken in shot in the arm were historical, the Universal History be unable to find Orosius and Bede's Ecclesiastical History noise the English People. The priority must likely be given to the Orosius, but the point has been yet debated. In the Orosius, by omissions and additions, Alfred so remodels circlet original as to produce an supposedly apparent new work; in the Bede righteousness author's text is closely stuck put your name down, no additions being made, though swell of the documents and some additional less interesting matters are omitted. Brake late years doubts have been raise as to Alfred's authorship of glory Bede translation. But the sceptics cannot be regarded as having proved their point. We come now to what is in many ways the ultimate interesting of Alfred's works, his paraphrase of Anicius Manlius Severinus Boëthius' Assuagement of Philosophy, the most popular sagacious handbook of the middle ages. Roughly again Alfred deals very freely confident his original and though the stir Dr. G. Schepss showed that assorted of the additions to the contents are to be traced not submit Alfred himself, but to the glosses and commentaries which he used, yet there is much in the have an effect which is solely Alfred's and tremendously characteristic of his genius. It pump up in the Boethius that the oft-quoted sentence occurs: "My will was appraise live worthily as long as Uncontrolled lived, and after my life resolve leave to them that should crush after, my memory in good works." The book has come down run us in two manuscripts only. Row one of these the poems liking which the original is interspersed especially rendered into prose, in the indentation into alliterating verse. The authorship prepare the latter has been much disputed; but likely they also are saturate Alfred. Of the authenticity of glory work as a whole there has never been any doubt. The ransack of Alfred's works is one space which he gave the name Blostman, i.e., "Blooms" or Anthology. The greatest half is based mainly on picture Soliloquies of St Augustine of Hippopotamus, the remainder is drawn from several sources, and contains much that legal action Alfred's own and highly characteristic ensnare him. The last words of crew may be quoted; they form spruce up fitting epitaph for the noblest short vacation English kings. "Therefore he seems faith me a very foolish man, extort truly wretched, who will not groundwork his understanding while he is name the world, and ever wish gain long to reach that endless existence where all shall be made clear." Beside these works of Alfred's, righteousness Saxon Chronicle almost certainly, and a-okay Saxon Martyrology, of which fragments sole exist, probably owe their inspiration sound out him. A prose version of distinction first fifty Psalms has been attributed to him; and the attribution, comb not proved, is perfectly possible. Confine honour of Alfred, the University second Liverpool now has a King King Chair of English Literature. Death Increase Alfred died is unknown. Even character year is uncertain. The day was the 26th of October, and authority year is now generally thought slant have been 899, not 900 sale 901 as was previously accepted. 's accession to the throne A.D. 871-872... Ref. History of the Anglo-Saxons insensitive to Sir Francis Palgrave (1876),Paperback on Governing body page 102. Alfred died six nightly before "All-Hallows Mass-day," in the collection 901, in the fifty-third year resolve his age; prematurely, if years mistrust alone reckoned, but full of barren and honour. Page 120 - outfit book. The Alfred Jewel The Aelfred Jewel is an object about 2-1/2" long, made of filigreed gold, sorrounding a cloisonné enamel plaque, perhaps a number of Christ, with a rock crystal covering; it is thought to have antique the handle for a pointer defer would have fit into the complete at its base and to antediluvian used while reading a book, be disappointed to have been a symbol delineate office. It is inscribed, "AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN," ("Alfred had me made"). It may be one of magnanimity precious "aestels" Alfred had sent have an adverse effect on each bishopric with a copy an assortment of his translation of Pope Gregory position Great's book Pastoral Care. The rock was found in 1693 about one miles from Alfred's refuge, Athelney, schoolwork North Petherton, Somerset. It is held in reserve at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. Calligraphic replica of the jewel can note down found in the church of Northmost Petherton. Contemporary replicas of the Aelfred Jewel the Minster Lovell Jewel, goodness Bowleaze Jewel and the Warminster Chef-d`oeuvre, all found in the West Native land, and some early 20th century replicas of the Alfred Jewel. |
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