History UsefulNotes / AlfredTheGreat

Alfred also was helpful in standardizing the laws and customs of the realm (compiling them into a law book known as the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doom_book Doom Book]][[note]][[DoomyDoomsOfDoom Doom as in judgment]], not condemnation[[/note]]) and encouraged learning, successfully making [[UsefulNotes/HistoryOfEnglish Old English]] the second literary language of western Europe (only after Latin!) in his time. He even personally wrote commentaries on ancient literature. His small realm was to become the cornerstone of what is now England. He was also the father of Queen UsefulNotes/{{Aethelflaed}} of Mercia. He was [[CulturedBadass also a scholarly monarch]], translating several Latin works into Old English, including the ''Soliloquies'' of Creator/AugustineOfHippo and the ''Consolation of Philosophy'' by Creator/{{Boethius}}. His translations were part of an effort to make English (rather than Latin) the scholarly language of his kingdom.

And what's he remembered for? [[NeverLiveItDown Burning some cakes]]. [[MenCantKeepHouse Typical]].

Alfred also was helpful in standardizing the laws and customs of the realm (compiling them into a law book known as the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doom_book Doom Book]][[note]][[DoomyDoomsOfDoom Doom as in judgment]], not condemnation[[/note]]) and encouraged learning, successfully making [[UsefulNotes/HistoryOfEnglish Old English]] the second literary language of western Europe (only after Latin!) in his time. He even personally wrote commentaries on ancient literature. His small realm was to become the cornerstone of what is now England. He was also the father of Queen UsefulNotes/{{Aethelflaed}} of Mercia. He was also a scholarly monarch, translating several Latin works into Old English, including the ''Soliloquies'' of Creator/AugustineOfHippo and the ''Consolation of Philosophy'' by Creator/{{Boethius}}. His translations were part of an effort to make English (rather than Latin) the scholarly language of his kingdom.

Alfred also was helpful in standardizing the laws and customs of the realm (compiling them into a law book known as the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doom_book Doom Book]][[note]][[DoomyDoomsOfDoom Doom as in judgment]], not condemnation[[/note]]) and encouraged learning, successfully making [[UsefulNotes/HistoryOfEnglish Old English]] the second literary language of western Europe (only after Latin!) in his time. He even personally wrote commentaries on ancient literature. His small realm was to become the cornerstone of what is now England. He was also the father of Queen UsefulNotes/{{Aethelflaed}} of Mercia.

'''Alfred the Great''' (849 - 26 October 899) was one of the most venerated rulers in British history, the only one to receive the title "The Great" aside from Cnut. He was born the [[UnexpectedSuccessor fifth son]] of Aethulwulf, king of the obscure, semi-civilized [[UsefulNotes/AngloSaxons Anglo-Saxon]] [[UsefulNotes/TheHouseOfWessex kingdom of Wessex]] (roughly, southwestern England from about Berkshire to Devon, with occasional overlordship over the southern counties eastward to Kent). He took the throne after the death of his father and brothers. During his reign, he held off the [[UsefulNotes/TheVikingAge Viking]] invaders and converted the Danes to Catholicism after defeating their king, Guthrum. He also was helpful in standardizing the laws and customs of the realm and encouraged learning, successfully making [[UsefulNotes/HistoryOfEnglish Old English]] the second literary language of western Europe (only after Latin!) in his time. He even personally wrote commentaries on ancient literature. His small realm was to become the cornerstone of what is now England. He was also the father of Queen UsefulNotes/{{Aethelflaed}} of Mercia.

And what's he remembered for? [[NeverLiveItDown Burning some cakes]]. [[MenCantKeepHouse Typical]]...

'''Alfred the Great''' (849 - 26 October 899) was one of the most venerated rulers in British history, the only one to receive the title "The Great" aside from Cnut. He was born the [[UnexpectedSuccessor fifth son]] of Aethulwulf, king of the obscure, semi-civilized [[UsefulNotes/AngloSaxons Anglo-Saxon]] kingdom of Wessex (roughly, southwestern England from about Berkshire to Devon, with occasional overlordship over the southern counties eastward to Kent). He took the throne after the death of his father and brothers. During his reign, he held off the [[UsefulNotes/TheVikingAge Viking]] invaders and converted the Danes to Catholicism after defeating their king, Guthrum. He also was helpful in standardizing the laws and customs of the realm and encouraged learning, successfully making [[UsefulNotes/HistoryOfEnglish Old English]] the second literary language of western Europe (only after Latin!) in his time. He even personally wrote commentaries on ancient literature. His small realm was to become the cornerstone of what is now England. He was also the father of Queen UsefulNotes/{{Aethelflaed}} of Mercia.

And what's he remembered for? [[NeverLiveItDown Burning some cakes]]. Typical...

'''Alfred the Great''' (849 - 26 October 899) was one of the most venerated rulers in British history, the only one to receive the title "The Great" aside from Cnut. He was born the [[UnexpectedSuccessor fifth son]] of Aethulwulf, king of the obscure, semi-civilized [[UsefulNotes/AngloSaxons Anglo-Saxon]] kingdom of Wessex (roughly, southwestern England from about Berkshire to Devon). He took the throne after the death of his father and brothers. During his reign, he held off the [[UsefulNotes/TheVikingAge Viking]] invaders and converted the Danes to Catholicism after defeating their king, Guthrum. He also was helpful in standardizing the laws and customs of the realm and encouraged learning. He even personally wrote commentaries on ancient literature. His small realm was to become the cornerstone of what is now England. He was also the father of Queen UsefulNotes/{{Aethelflaed}} of Mercia.

* Alfred is a playable character in ''VideoGame/CrusaderKingsII'' and ''[[VideoGame/CrusaderKingsIII'' (at the 867 CE bookmark) as the Earl of Dorset and his brother Aethelred I's vassal. It is possible to reenact his task of defeating the Vikings and founding the Kingdom of England.

* ''Literature/TheEdgeOnTheSword'' is told from his daughter UsefulNotes/{{Aethelflaed}}'s perspective and deals with him [[AltarDiplomacy marrying her to King Aethelred of Mercia in alliance]]. In real life she would end up running the place after her elderly husband's death soon after.

* Alfred is a playable character in ''VideoGame/CrusaderKings'' (at the Old Gods bookmark, i.e. 867 CE for ''II'') as the Earl of Dorset and his brother Aethelred I's vassal. It is possible to reenact his task of defeating the Vikings and founding the Kingdom of England.

* He serves as an antagonist in ''Videogame/AssassinsCreedValhalla'', since he is trying to defend England from the Raven Clan (including Eivor) and other Viking raiders.

* He serves as an antagonist in ''Videogame/AssassinsCreedValhalla'', since the protagonist is a Viking raider from Scandinavia.

* ''Literature/TheSaxonStories'' by Bernard Cornwell, set during the Danish Invasions, has Alfred as a major supporting character, who is fundamentally benevolent, but to the cynical, Danish-raised Warlord narrator Uhtred, comes off as LawfulStupid on occasion - though as Uhtred matures, he gains an increasing (if grudging) respect for Alfred's political machinations and capacity for ruthlessness, recognising Alfred's constant ability to rope Uhtred back into his service. It is also notable that he is one of the few people Uhtred has genuine respect for. In the TV series adaptation ''Series/TheLastKingdom'' he is played by Creator/DavidDawson.

* He serves as an antagonist in ''Videogame/AssassinsCreedValhalla'', since the protagonist is a viking raider.

'''Alfred the Great''' (849 - 26 October 899) was one of the most venerated rulers in British history, the only one to receive the title "The Great" aside from Cnut. He was born the [[UnexpectedSuccessor fifth son]] of Aethulwulf, king of the obscure, semi-civilized [[UsefulNotes/AngloSaxons Anglo-Saxon]] kingdom of Wessex (roughly, southwestern England from about Berkshire to Devon). He took the throne after the death of his father and brothers. During his reign, he held off the [[UsefulNotes/TheVikingAge Viking]] invaders and converted the Danes to Catholicism after defeating their king, Guthrum. He also was helpful in standardizing the laws and customs of the realm and encouraged learning. He even personally wrote commentaries on ancient literature. His small realm was to become the cornerstone of what is now England, and to a greater extent, the United Kingdom as a whole. He was also the father of Queen UsefulNotes/{{Aethelflaed}} of Mercia.

'''Alfred the Great''' (849 - 26 October 899) was one of the most venerated rulers in British history, the only one to receive the title "The Great" aside from Cnut. He was born the [[UnexpectedSuccessor fifth son]] of Aethulwulf, king of the obscure, semi-civilized [[UsefulNotes/AngloSaxons Anglo-Saxon]] kingdom of Wessex (roughly, southwestern England from about Berkshire to Devon). He took the throne after the death of his father and brothers. During his reign, he held off the [[UsefulNotes/TheVikingAge Viking]] invaders and converted the Danes to Catholicism after defeating their king, Guthrum. He also was helpful in standardizing the laws and customs of the realm and encouraged learning. He even personally wrote commentaries on ancient literature. His small realm was to become the cornerstone of what is now Great Britain. He was also the father of Queen UsefulNotes/{{Aethelflaed}} of Mercia.

* ''AudioPlay/HorribleHistories'' gave Alfred an {{adorkable}} portrayal, showing him recite his awful poetry and becoming homeless, making the listener feel sorry for him being a hopeless cook who didn't watch an old woman's cakes.

* Alfred is a playable character in ''VideoGame/CrusaderKings'' (at the Old Gods bookmark, i.e. 867 CE for ''II'') as the King of Wessex and it is possible to reenact his task of defeating the Vikings and founding the Kingdom of England.

* Thomas Arne wrote an opera about the man which had been commissioned by Frederick, Prince of Wales. While not particularly famous, the finale of the opera is a charming little ditty called Rule Britannia.

* Alfred is a playable character in ''VideoGame/CrusaderKings'' (at the Old Gods bookmark, i.e. 867 CE) as the King of Wessex and it is possible to reenact his task of defeating the Vikings and founding the Kingdom of England.

* Alfred is a playable character in ''VideoGame/CrusaderKings'' as the King of Wessex and it is possible to reenact his task of defeating the Vikings and found the Kingdom of England.

* Alfred and his faction are one of the 10 playable ones in ''VideoGame/ThronesOfBritanniaATotalWarSaga''. As befitting his abilities, his faction is the recommended start for newcomers to the game/genre.