Alfred the Great Biography

Alfred is born at Wantage, the youngest son of Aethelwulf of Wessex.

Alfred visits Rome as a young royal prince and is honoured by Pope Leo IV.

Alfred returns to Rome with his father Aethelwulf during a royal pilgrimage and diplomatic journey.

Alfred marries Ealhswith, strengthening political links between Wessex and Mercian nobility.

The marriage to Ealhswith connects Alfred with an important Mercian family through her father Aethelred Mucel.

King Aethelred of Wessex and his brother Alfred march to Nottingham against the Danes but cannot force a battle.

The Danes defeat King Edmund of East Anglia, increasing the Viking threat faced by Wessex.

The Viking army withdraws from Wessex and winters in London while Mercia makes peace.

Alfred has to balance military defence, tribute payments and royal authority during his first year as king.

Alfred and Aethelred are defeated by the Danes at Reading after the Viking army occupies the town.

The Danes defeat Aethelred and Alfred at Reading before the West Saxon victory at Ashdown.

Aethelred and Alfred defeat the Viking army at Ashdown after Alfred leads the West Saxon attack.

Alfred and Aethelred lead the West Saxons to victory over the Vikings at Ashdown.

The Danes defeat Aethelred and Alfred at Basing during the hard winter campaign against Wessex.

The Vikings defeat Aethelred and Alfred at Merton, where Bishop Heahmund of Sherborne is killed.

Alfred begins ruling Wessex during a severe military crisis caused by renewed Viking attacks.

Alfred succeeds his brother Aethelred as King of Wessex during the Danish invasion.

Alfred succeeded Aethelred during the struggle against the Danish army.

Alfred fights the Danes at Wilton soon after becoming king, but the West Saxons are defeated after early success.

Viking pressure on Mercia continues after the army leaves Wessex, increasing Alfred's strategic concern.

Alfred fights Viking ships at sea and captures one vessel, showing his growing interest in naval defence.

Alfred negotiates with a Viking army at Wareham while trying to prevent further raids into Wessex.

The Vikings break oaths sworn to Alfred and continue their campaign against Wessex.

Alfred surrounds the Danish army at Wareham and forces it to give hostages and swear oaths of peace.

Alfred's forces confront Viking ships near Swanage as he begins developing a more active naval defence.

Alfred besieges a Danish force at Exeter, and the loss of a Viking reinforcement fleet helps force their withdrawal.

Guthrum is baptised at Aller after his surrender, with Alfred standing as his sponsor.

Alfred flees to the stronghold of Athelney and the Somerset marshes after the Danish attack on Chippenham.

Alfred seeks refuge in the Isle of Athelney after the Danish surprise attack on Wessex.

Alfred hides from the Vikings in the marshes of Athelney in Somerset before rebuilding his army.

Alfred concluded a peace requiring Guthrum to leave Wessex and accept Christianity.

The settlement after Edington requires Guthrum to accept baptism and leave Wessex with his army.

After Edington Alfred uses peace to reorganise the army and strengthen the defence of Wessex.

After defeating Guthrum, Alfred rebuilds royal authority across Wessex and restores confidence in his rule.

After the Edington settlement the Danes agree to withdraw from Wessex and Alfred restores royal authority.

Guthrum accepts baptism and agrees to withdraw from Wessex, preparing the way for a later territorial settlement.

Odda defeats a Viking force linked with Ubba, helping protect Alfred while he is based in the marshes.

Odda's victory at Cynwit destroys a Viking army threatening Alfred's position in the west.

Guthrum launches a surprise midwinter attack at Chippenham and overruns much of Wessex.

Alfred builds a fortified base at Athelney and launches raids against the Danish occupation.

Alfred conducts guerrilla operations from Athelney before gathering his army for the Edington campaign.

Alfred defeated Guthrum at Edington and forced the Danish army to seek peace.

Alfred defeats Guthrum's Viking army at Edington after rallying forces from Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire.

Alfred defeats the Danes at Edington and forces Guthrum to negotiate peace.

Men from Hampshire join Alfred's army after he emerges from Athelney to confront Guthrum.

Alfred marches through Iley Oak after mustering his army before the Battle of Edington.

Men from Wiltshire rally to Alfred before the final advance against Guthrum at Edington.

The Danish army withdraws after defeat and submission, securing Alfred's immediate position in Wessex.

The siege ends with Danish capitulation and withdrawal from Wessex.

After Edington Alfred besieges Guthrum's force at Chippenham for about two weeks until the Danes sue for peace.

Guthrum's Danes surrender at Chippenham after Alfred's victory at Edington and subsequent siege.

The Danes retreat to Chippenham after Edington and surrender after Alfred besieges their stronghold.

Alfred requires Guthrum to give hostages, leave Wessex and accept Christian baptism.

Guthrum's army settles in East Anglia, allowing Alfred time to strengthen Wessex against future invasions.

Alfred maintains peace with Guthrum after the Danish army leaves Wessex and moves toward East Anglia.

Alfred develops a network of fortified towns to provide refuge, administration and rapid military response against Viking attack.

Alfred reorganises local defence by linking military service, landholding and fortified burhs across Wessex.

Burhs are established across southern England as fortified assembly points for the fyrd.

Alfred reforms military service so part of the army remains active while others work their lands.

The Danish army settles in East Anglia, reducing the immediate threat to Wessex.

Alfred and Guthrum agree terms that recognise their territories and regulate relations between English and Danes.

The Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum defines boundaries and rules for peace, trade and compensation.

The treaty sets out rules on legal compensation, trade and dealings between Alfred's people and Guthrum's people.

Aethelred, Lord of the Mercians, accepts Alfred's overlordship and becomes his principal Mercian ally.

Alfred develops a more organised royal administration to support defence, justice and local government.

A Viking force from East Anglia breaks peace with Alfred and renews pressure on southern England.

Alfred relieves Rochester after a Viking force attempts to besiege the town.

After restoring London, Alfred gains wider recognition from English peoples not living under Danish rule.

Alfred occupied and restored London, strengthening the frontier facing the Danelaw.

Alfred's peace with Guthrum recognises a boundary between English and Danish-controlled territories.

Alfred restores London and entrusts it to Aethelred, Lord of the Mercians, under West Saxon overlordship.

Alfred agreed a frontier and commercial settlement with Guthrum for English and Danish communities.

Alfred begins learning Latin as part of his programme to revive learning in Wessex.

Alfred gathers scholars at his court to revive learning among clergy, nobles and royal officials.

The Welsh scholar Asser joins Alfred's circle and helps record and support the king's programme of learning.

Alfred's daughter Aethelflaed marries Aethelred, strengthening West Saxon influence in Mercia.

Alfred promotes learning among freeborn young men so that royal officials and clergy can read English texts.

Alfred issues a law code combining biblical principles, earlier West Saxon law and royal judgement.

Alfred sponsors an Old English version of Orosius to make world history available to English readers.

Alfred sponsors the Old English translation of Gregory's Pastoral Care for use by bishops and educated officials.

Alfred strengthens the militia, fleet and fortified burh system to defend Wessex against renewed Viking attacks.

Alfred translates or sponsors the translation of Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy into Old English.

Alfred promotes English as a written language for government, learning and religious instruction.

Alfred's coinage supports royal authority and expresses his kingship across territories under his control.

Alfred issues a law code combining Christian teaching, earlier English law and royal authority.

Alfred strengthens royal administration through written law, trained officials and closer supervision of local justice.

Alfred's law code reinforces loyalty to the king and punishes betrayal of lordship and public order.

Haesten and another Viking army land in Kent, beginning a renewed phase of war against Alfred's kingdom.

Alfred continues his programme of English translations for clergy, officials and noble households.

Alfred encourages written historical record keeping associated with the development of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

Alfred's forces under Edward defeat a Viking raiding army at Farnham during the renewed invasions of the 890s.

Viking forces use the Thames and its estuary as routes for renewed operations against Alfred's realm.

Asser writes the Life of King Alfred, preserving a near-contemporary account of Alfred's reign.

Alfred returned Hastein’s wife and sons after they were captured at Benfleet.

English forces defeat Haesten's army at Benfleet and capture ships, treasure and prisoners.

Alfred obstructs the River Lea and forces the Vikings to abandon ships that are then captured by the English.

Alfred's forces engage Viking ships near Brading Haven as part of his naval defence of Wessex.

Alfred's enlarged ships fight Viking vessels off the Isle of Wight during the final phase of the war.

Alfred prepares the succession that allows his son Edward the Elder to inherit the kingdom.

Alfred the Great dies after a reign remembered for resistance to Viking invasion, legal reform and learning.