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Anglo-Saxon England

King Alfred, before He was Great

Jan 18, 2023
Explore the life and legacy of King Alfred, the scholar turned war leader who saved England from Scandinavian invasion. Discover his passion for learning, struggles with illness, and battles against the Vikings. Learn about the treaty he made with Guthrum, which brought peace to Wessex and influenced English history.
30:30

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • King Alfred's biography provides valuable details about his early life and challenges faced during the Viking invasions.
  • Alfred's military strategies, including guerrilla warfare and decisive battles, led to the truce with the Danes and the establishment of boundaries and trade agreements.

Deep dives

Alfred's Biography by Asa

Asa, a monk and possibly Bishop of St. David's, wrote the most complete biography of King Alfred in the 9th century. Although there were doubts about its authenticity, the general consensus now is that it was genuinely written by Asa. The biography provides valuable details of Alfred's early life, such as his interest in learning and poetry, his mysterious illnesses, and his marriage to Elswith. However, it should be treated with caution due to its potential propagandistic intent.

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