Alfred the great

14

description

 

Transcript of Alfred the great

Page 1: Alfred the great
Page 2: Alfred the great

Alfred the Great Alfred the Great (849 AD - 899 AD)(849 AD - 899 AD)

King of Wessex from 871 to 899

No other ruler in England's long and varied history has been honoured with the title the Great. Alfred once declared it his intention "To live worthily as long as I live and after my life to leave to them that should come after, my memory in good works." Few monarchs have succeeded as spectacularly in their aims as he did.

Page 3: Alfred the great
Page 4: Alfred the great

Origins And Early LifeOrigins And Early Life

Alfred (Old English-Aelfred; 849/847–899) was the fifth and youngest son of Ethelwulf of Wessex and his

Jutish first wife, Osburh.He was born at Wantage between 847 and 849, his birthplace was a palace or vill which lay at the foot of

the Berkshire Downs, which has now vanished. Following the death of his brother King Æthelred,

Alfred became the new King.Alfred is noted for his defence of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of southern England against the Vikings, becoming the only English king to be accorded the

epithet "the Great".

Page 5: Alfred the great

A warrior and a KingA warrior and a King

• After a series of defeats, King Alfred achieved a victory in the Battle of Ethandun. Pushing the Danes from the lands.

• In 886 he retook London and restored it. For his actions he took the title of “King of the Anglo-Saxons”

• By 897 he had successfully halted the advance of the Vikings

• After a series of defeats, King Alfred achieved a victory in the Battle of Ethandun. Pushing the Danes from the lands.

• In 886 he retook London and restored it. For his actions he took the title of “King of the Anglo-Saxons”

• By 897 he had successfully halted the advance of the Vikings

Page 6: Alfred the great

The RulerThe Ruler

• As the King of WessexAs the King of Wessex, he is generally credited with , he is generally credited with

establishing trial by jury, the law of "frank-pledge"establishing trial by jury, the law of "frank-pledge" • Alfred divided his code into precisely 120 chapters: 120 Alfred divided his code into precisely 120 chapters: 120

was the age at which Moses died and, in the number-was the age at which Moses died and, in the number-symbolism of early medieval biblical exegetes, 120 stood symbolism of early medieval biblical exegetes, 120 stood for law.for law.

• He transformed the Christ’s commandment from "Love He transformed the Christ’s commandment from "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Matt. 22:39-40) to love your your neighbour as yourself" (Matt. 22:39-40) to love your secular lord as you would love the Lord Christ himselfsecular lord as you would love the Lord Christ himself .

• While he was ruling the country he kept relations with While he was ruling the country he kept relations with

foreign powers.foreign powers.

Page 7: Alfred the great

• Alfred Alfred establishment of a system of fortified centres establishment of a system of fortified centres

called: BURHS, covering the whole of Wessex.called: BURHS, covering the whole of Wessex. • Burhs were turf covered earth ramparts, revetted with Burhs were turf covered earth ramparts, revetted with

timber , built in highly strategic positions on hilltops, at timber , built in highly strategic positions on hilltops, at

river crossings or overlooking harboursriver crossings or overlooking harbours

Page 8: Alfred the great

Alfred´s Cultural Alfred´s Cultural and and

ReligiousLegacyReligiousLegacy

• From 871 to 886 Alfred was threatened From 871 to 886 Alfred was threatened

by the Danesby the Danes• Revived learning:Revived learning:

-Clerical Scholars-Clerical Scholars

-School at court-School at court• Programme of translatingProgramme of translating

Page 9: Alfred the great

Pastoral CarePastoral Care,, by Pope Gregory by Pope Gregory the Great was a treatise on the the Great was a treatise on the responsibilities of the clergyresponsibilities of the clergy

AA page of Alfred´s prefacepage of Alfred´s preface to this translationto this translation

Page 10: Alfred the great

““(…) and also how eager were the (…) and also how eager were the religious orders both in teaching religious orders both in teaching

and in learning as well as in all the and in learning as well as in all the holy services which it was their holy services which it was their

duty to perform for God; and how duty to perform for God; and how people from abroad sought people from abroad sought

wisdom and instruction in this wisdom and instruction in this country; and how nowadays, if we country; and how nowadays, if we wished to acquire these things, we wished to acquire these things, we would have to seek them outside.”would have to seek them outside.”

Page 11: Alfred the great

Consolation of PhilosophyConsolation of Philosophy by Boethius (who was a Christian by Boethius (who was a Christian

philosopher of the early 6th philosopher of the early 6th century born in Rome) century born in Rome)

Alfred´s famous quotation:Alfred´s famous quotation:

"My will was to live worthily as long as I "My will was to live worthily as long as I lived,lived,

and after my life to leave to them that and after my life to leave to them that should come after, my memory in good should come after, my memory in good

works”works”

Page 12: Alfred the great

His poemHis poem Metres of BoethiusMetres of Boethius,, his crowning literary achievement.his crowning literary achievement.

The The Anglo-Saxon Anglo-Saxon Chronicle,Chronicle,

a collection of annals in Olda collection of annals in Old English, was orchestrated English, was orchestrated by Alfredby Alfred

Page 13: Alfred the great

Other Other characteristicscharacteristics

Alfred believed that God Alfred believed that God had entrusted him with the had entrusted him with the well fare of his subjects,well fare of his subjects,Secular and spiritual Secular and spiritual authority were not distinct authority were not distinct categories for Alfred. categories for Alfred. Alfred is venerated as a Alfred is venerated as a saint by the Catholic saint by the Catholic ChurchChurch

Page 14: Alfred the great