25/07/2004
Chambers's Encyclopaedia: 1880 Edition
ALFRED THE GREAT
ALFRED, surnamed THE GREAT, was born at Wantage, in Berkshire, in 849. His father was Ethelwolf, son of Egbert, king of the West Saxons; and though the youngest of four sons, he succeeded to the crown, on the death of his brother Ethelred, at the age of 23. He had already given decisive proofs of high ability as a general in repelling the incessant incursions of the Danes, at that time the most terrible warriors in Europe. After he succeeded to the throne, he redoubled his exertions to restore the independence of his country. At first he strove without success, whilst the Danes continued to pour fresh bands upon the coast, and the Anglo-Saxons either bent to the yoke or forsook their homes. In 878, the invaders had completely overrun the whole kingdom of the West Saxons. A., no longer able to collect an effective army, was obliged to seek security in the hills and forests, and for some time found refuge in a cowherd's hut. He still, however, kept up some communication with his friends; and as soon as the people began once more to arm against the Danes, he built a stronghold on an elevation or island (still known as Athelney, i.e., the 'island of the nobles,' or the 'royal island') amid the marshes of Somersetshire, to which he summoned his faithful followers. From this fortress he made frequent successful sallies against the enemy, and after a comparatively short time, he found himself at the head of a considerable army, with which he totally routed them (878) near Edington, in Wiltshire. After holding out for some time in a stronghold to which they had retreated, the invaders capitulated. A. accepted hostages, and their solemn oath to quit his territory of Wessex, and receive baptism. Their king, Godrun or Guthrun, was baptised, with thirty of his followers, and ever after proved faithful in his allegiance to A.
After this decisive victory, the power of A. steadily increased, both by land and sea - for already he had built England's first fleet - he beat the Danes in numerous battles, and gradually their possessions were confined to the northern and eastern coasts. In 886, A., without any formal installation, became recognised as the sovereign of all England, a title to which he had proved his right by the most indisputable of arguments. During the ensuing years of peace, he rebuilt the cities that had suffered most during the war, particularly London; erected new fortresses, and trained the people to the use of arms; while at the same time he encouraged husbandry and other useful arts, and founded those wise laws and institutions which contributed so much to the future greatness and welfare of England. The grateful reverence of posterity has, as usual with mankind, become prodigal in its awards, ascribing to A. the entire credit of having established many beneficial institutions, some of which had already existed among the Anglo-Saxons, but were by him revived, remodelled, and improved. Of his political institutions, little is known beyond the fact that he compiled a code of laws, divided England into countie, hundreds, and tithings, and thoroughly reformed the administration of justice by making these tithings, hundreds, &c., so far as was practically possible, responsible for the offences committed within their jurisdiction. William of Malmesbury, with enthusiastic exaggeration, declared that 'a purse of money, or a pair of golden bracelets,' might in A.'s day be exposed for weeks in complete safety on the common highways. A. is also said - though erroneously, as is now believed - to have been the author of 'trial by jury.' In an age of ignorance and barbarism, A. was an accomplished scholar and a zealous patron of learning. No prince of his age did so much for the diffusion of knowledge, and few monarchs at any time have shewn an equal zeal for the instruction of their people. He caused many manuscipts to be translated into Anglo-Saxon from Latin, and himself translated several works, such as Boethius on the Consolation of Philosophy, the History of Orosius, Bede's Ecclesiastical History, and Selections from the Soliloquies of St Augustine. Among his original works in the Anglo-Saxon language are Laws of the West Saxons, Institutes, Chronicles, Meditations, &c. All his works strikingly indicate the serious, elevated, and yet practical character of the man. In his translations, A. is frequently more than a translator. He adds his own reflections to those of the author; and expands the geographical outline of Orosius, by a chart of Germany, an account of the Baltic, and the icy regions towards the north pole, which are pretty accurate, considering the means which then existed for acquiring a knowledge of these places. Several works attributed to A. are believed not to be genuine.
The peaceful labours of A. were, in 893, interrupted by a fresh invasion of Northmen under Haesten or Hastings, more formidable than any that had yet been attempted in his reign. The defection of the East Anglians and Northumbrians added to the difficulties with which he had to contend. A., however, was fully prepared, and though, during their protracted stay in his dominions, the invaders overran a large extent of country, and committed considerable depredations, they were beaten in almost every encounter with the English, and finally quelled. A. died on the 27th of October 901, aged 52, leaving his country in the enjoyment of comparative peace and prosperity, the fruit of that wise and energetic rule which has made his memory dear to all generations of Englishmen, as that of their best and greatest king. We cannot perhaps realise the resolute patience of A., in his political and military capacity, for we have but a very imperfect knowledge of the obstacles which stood in his way; but it must excite both our highest wonder and reverence to behold a man pursuing solitarily, in the midst of ferocity, barbarism, and ignorance, and in spite of the perpetual pains with which his body was racked, so many various and noble schemes for the civilisation and true glory of his country. - The most authentic and interesting of the original sources of information on the history of A., is the life by Asser, bishop of Sherborne, a book distinguished by extreme simplicity and affection. The best edition is that of Wise (Oxford, 1782). Of the recent Lives, the most complete and careful are that of Professor Reinhold Pauli, edited by T. Wright, and that by Mr T. Hughes (1869).
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25/07/2004
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