Acceded the throne on 23 Apr 871 at Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey

Alfred reigned 871-899. He prevented the Danish conquest of England, defeating them at Edington (878) after a campaign of guerrila warfare. After his victory he allowed the Danes to keep their conquests in Mercia and East Anglia provided that Guthrum, their King, was converted to Christianity. Alfred built a navy of warships to defend the south coast against further Danish invastions (885-886; 892-896) and protected Wessex with a chain of fortifications. He took London (886), thus gaining control of all England except the Danish areas.

Alfred the Great, King of England, 871-901, b. Wantage, Berkshire, 849; d. 28 Oct. 901; m. 868, Ealhswith (Alswitha), d. ca. 905, dau. of Earl AEthelred of Mercia and Eadburh. Alfred was one of the greatest men in histoy. He was crowned king at Winchester, 871; founded the British Navy, organized the militia, compiled a code of laws, built schools and monasteries, and invited scholars to live at his court. He was a good scholar and translated many books. (“The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle,” 853, 871, 891, 894, 897, 901; “Dictionary of Welsh Biography,” I, 153-162; Asser, “Life of Alfred”).55