His reign was full of battles with the vikings, on land and sea. Jan 28, 2020 amazing history and stories attached to the statue of king alfred who was king from 871899. This biography of king alfred the great is endlessly enjoyable, thrilling and excellently researched. The task was not easy as archaeologists first needed to secure permission to excavate the churchyard of st bartholomews church in winchester, england, then locate the unmarked grave in which he was buried along with at least five other individuals, and finally. The research is thorough and clearly underpins the book, but it is worn so lightly that the reader is never made to feel lectured in a tiresome way. Ryan lavelle is a professor of early medieval history at the university of winchester. Alfred successfully defended his kingdom against the viking attempt at conquest, and by the time of his death had become the dominant ruler in england. Guests can visit winchester buttercross in winchester, situated 1 km from the accommodation. Here, we recap the real history behind the story so far, and whats covered in series four.
King ethelwulf was a devout christian and is believed to have been a monk, pursuing a life of study at winchester s monastery while alfred s grandfather reigned. King alfred, or alfred the great, ruled the house of wessex for 18 years. Jun 29, 2006 alfred is the only english king ever to be called great. Hidden in an historic corner of winchester stands the king alfred pub. He is the bestknown anglo saxon king in british history thanks to his biographer asser died c. Winchester city museum believes they may be in possession of some of alfred the greats remains. He then arranged, and himself took part in, the translation of books from latin to anglosaxon. Statue of alfred the great by hamo thornycroft in winchester, unveiled during the millennial commemoration of alfreds death. King alfred the great c 849899 scholar, soldier, statesman, king alfred rebuilt winchester after the dark ages and made it his capital. There are reasons for that and these reasons lie not only in his campaigns against the vikings and the establishing of the navy but also much deeper, in the reforms alfred passed in his lands that enabled the populace to educate themselves.
Alfred was patron of the anglosaxon chronicle which was copied and supplemented up to 1154, a patriotic history of the english from the wessex viewpoint. By the 890s, alfred s charters and coinage were referring to him as king of the english. Alfred the great is a wonderful book about the late ninth century king who saved wessex the last standing anglosaxon kingdom in britain from viking rule. He ruled wessex for 18 years, and when he died was buried in winchesters old minster. The context is wonderfully presented, making it a joy to read throughout. There were many famous anglosaxon kings, but the most famous of all was alfred, one of the only kings in british history to be called great his father was king of wessex, but by the end of. His father died when he was young and three of alfred s brothers.
The university of winchester formerly king alfred s college is a public university based in winchester and the surrounding area. Here you will find a warm welcome and top quality accommodation in a peaceful location away from the bustle of the city. Justin pollards enthralling, authoritative account befits alfred a soldier, a scholar and statesman like no other in english history. Aug 21, 2012 the beautiful etched glasswork by the artist tracey sheppard is the exception and thanks to it, we are able to understand what hyde abbey must have looked like. The last kingdom, based on the saxon stories novels of bernard cornwell, retells the history of king alfred the great and his desire to unite the many separate kingdoms into what would become england.
Michael wood on athelstans great war to unite anglosaxon england. The college was renamed king alfred s college in 1928. Student life is centred on our king alfred quarter, within walking distance of the historic cathedral city of winchester. See more ideas about alfred the great, winchester and statue.
Ahead of our 2019 history weekend in the city ryan lavelle, a professor of early medieval history at the university of winchester, takes you on a tour of the rich heritage the city has to offer. This statue has an information plaque giving up historic events which brings the statue alive and gives relevance. The king alfred pub hotel 4 king alfred pub is a 4star venue offering a sunbathing terrace and a golf course. Buy king alfred the great 1st edition by smyth, alfred p. King aelfred lodge is a freemasons lodge meeting in winchester in hampshire. At 202 pages, in search of alfred the great has been a wonderful starting point in a study of alfred. Cosy corners, freshly cooked classic pub food, real ales and an interesting wine list all served by our friendly team who love being here as much as you will. The year 1999 saw the 1100th anniversary of his death on october 26th, 899, at the age of about 50. He prevented england from falling to the danes and promoted learning and literacy. To protect his kingdom against the danes, alfred organised the defences of wessex.
Have archaeologists finally found king alfred the great. It is placed in close vicinity of statue of alfred the great. By the 890s, alfreds charters and coinage were referring to him as king of the english. Jan 18, 2014 in august last year we reported on plans to search for the remains of alfred the great, a saxon king who ruled from 871 to 899 ad. The college was re name d king alfred s college in 1928. In 1110, after the norman conquest, a new cathedral was built in winchester and the monks of new minster had to find a new home. Close to all of winchesters amenities and only a short walk from the center of the city and the train station, the king alfred introduced its new rooms in march 2008. He has authored a range of books on anglosaxon england in the viking age, and was a historical advisor on the bbc series the last kingdom. It is ranked 10th for teaching excellence in the times and the sunday times 2016 good university guide, with a 92% rating, and fourth for student satisfaction in england in the national student survey 2015. Hyde abbey winchester hampshire, burial place of king alfred. It was not a title given by political supporters, not the sycophantic gift of an official biographer, nor a selfstyled title.
In the leafy area of hyde in winchester, this charming traditional english pub now offers brand new, highstandard 4star guest accommodations in a great location. King alfred is the only king in english history to be deemed worthy of the title of the great. In 1110, his bones were moved to nearby hyde abbey, but lost when it was destroyed during the reformation. King alfred s college trained thousands of teachers every year. He was the organiser of the conference winchester, a medieval royal city in. Ive been anxious to read a nonfiction book on king alfred.
Being forward thinking it continues to grow and is great fund for its members. The five ensuite bedrooms are all individually decorated, providing a haven for our guests. The importance of king alfred to english literature all empires. Their shared love of knowledge must have created a close bond between father and his youngest son, and alfred accompanied ethelwulf on a pilgrimage to rome, an arduous journey taking. Ahead of our 2019 history weekend in the city ryan lavelle, a professor of early medieval history at the university of winchester, takes you on a tour of the.
In 871 at the tender age of 21, alfred was crowned king of wessex and established winchester as his capital. Saxon scholar and soldier alfred the great is famous for his defence of southern england against viking raids. Throughout history, a wealth of nowlegendary historic figures have lived in or made an impact on winchester. The origins of the university of winchester date back to september 1840 when the winchester diocesan training school was founded as a church of england foundation for the training of elementary schoolmasters. Author of the awardwinning alfreds wars, he has recently been acting as a historical advisor for the bbc2 hit series the last kingdom, the dramatisation of bernard cornwells bestselling books about the life of king alfred and the birth of england as a nation. These books covered history, geography, philosophy and gregory the greats pastoral care a handbook for bishops, and copies of these books were sent to all the bishops of the kingdom. Following an outbreak of cholera at wolvesey a new building now the main building on the universitys king alfred campus was established for the college in 1862, on land granted by the cathedral at west hill, winchester. It has a great location in the vicinity of hospital of saint cross. The king alfred is a haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet only a 10 minute walk from the high street and the iconic winchester cathedral. In winchester, visitors can take part in a selfguided king alfred trail that includes hyde abbey garden, alfreds last known burial ground. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Alfred, king of wessex 871899, a saxon kingdom in southwestern england. Kin g alfred s college trained thousands of teachers every year. Following an outbreak of cholera at wolvesey a new building now the main building on the universitys kin g alf red campus was established for the college in 1862, on land granted by the cathedral at west hi ll, winch ester. History and literature the proceedings of a conference held in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of king alfreds college and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. He died in october 899 ad and was buried at his capital city of winchester. He became king of wessex in 871 and was the first king to call himself king of the anglo saxons. Today his imposing bronze statue dominates the broadway. He defended southern parts of england from invasion from his base in winchester. Compilation of the anglosaxon chronicle began during his reign. In recent years, the king alfred quarter has been added to and renovated to enhance its facilities with the latest industrystandard equipment, digital networks and av technology. Alfred aelfred became ruler of the west saxons after he and his brother defeated the danish vikings at the battle of ashdown. Jan 7, 2020 alfred the great was king of wessex from 871 to 899.
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