Alfred the Great

He married Ealhswith in 868. Ealhswith was the daughter of a Mercian nobleman, Aethelred Mucil and Eadburh, a member of the Mercian royal family. The couple went on to have several children, of whom five survived to adulthood, including Edward the Elder, who succeeded his father as king.

Alfred the Great suffered from some painful illnesses throughout his life. It is believed that he either had Crohn's disease or haemorrhoidal disease. He died on 26 October 899.

He had a life-long love for learning and was a promoter of education. Because of this, a number of educational establishments are named in Alfred's honor which include Alfred University and Alfred State College in New York, and King Alfred's Academy, a secondary school in Wantage, Oxfordshire, the birthplace of Alfred.

Alfred was born in the year 849 in The Royal Palace, Wantage, Oxfordshire, as the youngest son of King Aethelwulf of Wessex, and the King’s first wife, Osburh.

As a young boy he accompanied his father on a pilgrimage to Rome where he spent some time at the court of Charles the Bald, King of the Franks, around 854–855.

He was interested in scholarly pursuits and literature from an early age, and is said to have memorized a volume of poetry in Saxon as a child. His love for learning would remain with him throughout his life.

At that time, the country was under threat from Danish raids. Thus the King Aethelwulf decided that his sons would succeed the kingship in turn.

The king died in 858 and as per his wishes, Wessex was ruled by three of his elder sons—Aethelbald, Aethelberht and Aethelred—in succession.

Alfred started receiving prominence during the reign of his third brother, Aethelred of Wessex, who ascended the throne in 865. Now he was given the title of "secundarius", a recognized successor closely associated with the reigning monarch.

Alfred started playing a very active role in the military campaigns in 870 when the Danes invaded his homeland. A total of nine battles were fought in the year with varying outcomes and Alfred played key roles in each of them.

In 871, he gained much respect fighting as a 21 year old in the Battle of Ashdown. He led his brother’s army against the Danes and defeated them. The valor and courage he displayed in spite of his young age earned him admiration from the citizens.

King Aethelred died in 871 and Alfred succeeded him. The Danes attacked once again even as the new king was busy in the burial of his brother and easily defeated the Saxon army.

King Alfred won a decisive victory at the Battle of Edington where his army faced the Great Heathen Army led by Guthrum in 878. He forced Guthrum into submission and had him baptized. Following his victory over Guthrum, Alfred brought about many reforms in his military which made it increasingly difficult for the Vikings to raid successfully.

Alfred is best remembered for his role in the Battle of Ashdown, in Berkshire that took place in 871. He was just a prince of 21 when he led the army of his brother, King Aethelred of Wessex, in the battle against the invading Danes and emerged victorious.