Why was Alfred the Great One of Only Two Kings Named ‘Great’ in English History?

Alfred the Great was the first king of the Anglo-Saxons and one of only two English rulers to have been given the epithet ‘the Great’. He may have earned this title in part by defending his kingdom against the Vikings and for his efforts in improving education.

Alfred is often remembered as one of England’s greatest Anglo-Saxon rulers. The only other English ruler to receive the accolade as ‘the Great’ was Cnut the Great, so Alfred must have done something quite special to receive the honor. In fact, it was thanks to Alfred that England was not completely conquered by the Vikings. Additionally, Alfred encouraged learning and literacy, and the ‘Anglo-Saxon Chronicles’, an important source of information for the history of Anglo-Saxon England, began during his reign.

When was Alfred the Great Born?

Alfred the Great was born on April 23, 849 AD in Wantage, Berkshire. He was the fifth son of Aethelwulf the king of Wessex, one of the seven petty kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon England. As Alfred had five older brothers, it seemed unlikely that he would inherit his father’s throne. Alfred himself seemed to have been more interested in scholarly pursuits than taking the throne. For instance, as a young boy, Alfred visited Rome – which may have awakened his interest in Latin learning. Some say he even met the Pope. Additionally, his mother aroused his interest in English poetry at an early age.