Alfred the Great (Old English: Ælfrǣd [ˈæɫvˌræːd]; c. 849 – 26 October 899) was King of the West Saxons from 871 to 886, and King of the Anglo-Saxons from 886 until his death in 899. He was the youngest son of King Æthelwulf and his first wife Osburh, who both died when Alfred was young. Three of Alfred's brothers, Æthelbald, Æthelberht and Æthelred, reigned in turn before him. Under Alfred's rule, considerable administrative and military reforms were introduced, prompting lasting change in England.
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King of Wessex Reign: 23 April 871 - c. 886 Predecessor: Æthelred I
King of the Anglo-Saxons Reign: c. 886 - 26 October 899 Successor: Edward the Elder
Born: 847-849 Wantage, Berkshire, Wessex Died: 26 October 899 (aged about 50) Burial: c. 1100 Hyde Abbey (now lost), Winchester, Hampshire, England Spouse: Ealhswith (m. 868) Issue: Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians. Edward, King of the Anglo-Saxons. Æthelgifu, Abbess of Shaftesbury. Ælfthryth, Countess of Flanders. Æthelweard. House: Wessex Father: Æthelwulf, King of Wessex Mother: Osburh __________________________________ Ealhswith or Ealswitha was wife to King Alfred the Great. She was one of the most powerful noble women in early medieval England during the time of the Vikings. She was mother to King Edward the Elder who succeeded King Alfred to the Anglo-Saxon throne. Her father was a Mercian nobleman, Æthelred Mucel, Ealdorman of the Gaini, which is thought to be an old Mercian tribal group. Her mother was Eadburh, a member of the Mercian royal family and her lineage was one of the primary reasons for Alfred taking Ealhswith as his wife. Her legacy persists; after her death in the nunnery she founded and in the estates left to her by Alfred.
Died: 5 December 902 Burial: New Minster, Winchester Spouse: Alfred the Great (m. 868; died 899) Issue: Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians. Edward, King of the Anglo-Saxons. Æthelgifu, Abbess of Shaftesbury. Ælfthryth, Countess of Flanders. Æthelweard. Father: Æthelred Mucel Mother: Eadburh __________________________________
