Born 849 – Died 899 • King of Wessex 871 - 899

"...the figure of the great Alfred was a beacon-light, the bright symbol of Saxon achievement, the hero of the race."

Winston Churchill (1956)

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One of the most iconic figures of British history.  As the Vikings ransacked his kingdom, Alfred retreated to the marshes of Somerset with his remaining soldiers, from here they waged guerrilla warfare against the Vikings. Victory at the Battle of Edington marked a turning point in his reign. He had defeated the Danes, protected his people and paved the way for the future unity of England. He was buried in Winchester and succeeded by his son, Edward.

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A Statue of Alfred was unveiled in 1877, with the inscription: "He found learning dead, and he restored it. Education neglected, and he revived it.  The laws powerless, and he gave them force. The church debased, and he raised it. The land ravaged by a fearful enemy, from which he delivered it.  Alfred's name will live as long as mankind shall respect the past."

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"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."    

King Alfred the Great

Image: Odejea • Licensed for reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0

Statue of Alfred the Great in Winchester erected in 1899.