OCR Specification focus:
‘England at the time of Alfred’s death; Alfred as ‘King of the English’’
Alfred the Great’s death in 899 marked a pivotal moment in the political and cultural transformation of England, shaping identity, governance, and unity in the years ahead.
England at the Time of Alfred’s Death
Political Landscape
By the close of Alfred’s reign, Wessex had become the dominant Anglo-Saxon kingdom. While much of England remained under Danish control — known as the Danelaw — Alfred’s leadership had ensured the survival and consolidation of West Saxon authority south of the Thames and in parts of Mercia.
Map of the British Isles c. 886 highlighting the territorial situation relevant to Alfred’s England. It contrasts areas under West Saxon/Mercian control with Scandinavian-influenced regions commonly termed the Danelaw. The figure includes neighbouring kingdoms in Britain and Ireland, which are not required by the syllabus but help contextualise England’s frontiers. Source
West Saxon Dominance: Wessex emerged as the nucleus of political stability in southern England.
Partial Recovery of Mercia: Strategic collaboration with Mercian leaders, particularly the alliance with Ealdorman Æthelred of Mercia, enhanced Alfred’s influence.
The Danelaw: Large swathes of eastern and northern England remained under Scandinavian rule, highlighting the incomplete nature of political unification.
Military Security
Alfred’s reforms had created a defensive infrastructure capable of repelling Viking incursions. The burh network and reorganised military service meant that England was better prepared for renewed threats.
Burhs (fortified settlements) acted as defensive hubs.
A navy, though still developing, enabled more effective coastal defence.
Trained fyrds (local militia) ensured rapid response to raids.
Cultural and Intellectual Climate
The Alfredian Renaissance had revitalised learning and literacy, particularly in Latin and Old English. Court scholars, translations of important works, and ecclesiastical reform laid the foundation for a more literate clergy and administrative class.
Alfred as ‘King of the English’
The Title and Its Significance
The phrase ‘King of the English’ was not consistently used by Alfred himself, but his reign laid the groundwork for the title’s adoption by his successors.
‘King of the English’: A royal style signifying authority over all Anglo-Saxon peoples, transcending regional identities such as West Saxon, Mercian, or Northumbrian.
Although Alfred primarily referred to himself as ‘King of the Anglo-Saxons’, this reflected his claim to leadership over all the non-Danish peoples of England.
Silver penny of Alfred the Great (London Monogram type), minted in London in the late ninth century. Its legend names Alfred as rex and the monogram reinforces royal control of London, a strategic hub. The image is a real artefact rather than a diagram; it directly evidences late Anglo-Saxon kingship and claims of wider lordship. Source
Path to a Unified Monarchy
Alfred’s policies and reforms created the conditions for his successors to claim the title ‘King of the English’ legitimately.
Military Integration: Coordinated defence strategies linked Wessex and Mercia.
Administrative Cohesion: Legal codes and governance structures promoted consistency across regions under his control.
Cultural Unification: Promotion of a shared Christian and linguistic identity reinforced political unity.
Symbolic Authority
Even though full unification was not achieved in Alfred’s lifetime, his reign imbued the kingship with a broader symbolic significance:
He was seen as a protector of all Christian English against pagan invaders.
His alliances extended symbolic overlordship into regions beyond his direct rule.
Chroniclers portrayed Alfred as a ruler whose authority transcended regional boundaries.
Territorial Reality vs. Political Aspiration
The Gap Between Control and Claim
At Alfred’s death:
Controlled: Wessex, western Mercia, parts of southern England.
Not Controlled: The Danelaw (including York, East Anglia, and the Five Boroughs).
Influence Zones: Occasional recognition from rulers in unoccupied areas.
Despite these limits, the ideological claim to rulership of all English peoples was becoming an accepted royal aspiration.
Importance of Overlordship
Overlordship in this period did not necessarily imply direct governance but acknowledged pre-eminence in military, diplomatic, and spiritual matters.
Overlordship: A hierarchical political relationship in which one ruler holds recognised supremacy over other rulers or territories without necessarily exercising direct administration.
Legacy of Alfred’s Kingship
Political Foundations
Alfred’s reign:
Established Wessex as the dominant English kingdom.
Introduced enduring military and administrative reforms.
Provided a dynastic stability that allowed his heirs to pursue unification.
Cultural Legacy
Through the revival of learning, the standardisation of laws, and religious reforms, Alfred fostered a shared cultural identity vital for the acceptance of a singular kingship.
Influence on Successors
Edward the Elder and later Athelstan would build upon Alfred’s groundwork to:
Extend direct control over more of England.
Secure the formal use of the title ‘King of the English’.
Complete, at least temporarily, the political unification of England.
Factors Enabling the Emergence of the Title ‘King of the English’
Leadership and Military Reform
Alfred’s personal leadership during crises, combined with structural military changes, underpinned the security necessary for expansive claims.
Religious and Cultural Identity
By framing resistance to the Vikings in religious terms, Alfred positioned himself as a defender of Christian England — a concept encompassing all English peoples, not just his immediate subjects.
Administrative and Legal Cohesion
Uniform legal standards and effective governance reinforced the idea that a single ruler could govern diverse English regions under common laws and customs.
FAQ
Control of London gave Alfred a vital strategic and economic asset.
It provided access to a major trade hub and strengthened his authority over the Thames corridor. London’s symbolic value as a prominent city helped project Alfred’s leadership beyond Wessex, reinforcing alliances with Mercia and showing his ability to reclaim territory from Viking control.
The title ‘King of the Anglo-Saxons’ reflected the political reality that Alfred’s rule was limited to non-Danish areas of England.
‘Anglo-Saxons’ excluded the populations in Viking-controlled regions.
The later shift to ‘King of the English’ required broader territorial unification, achieved by Alfred’s successors.
The Chronicle, compiled and maintained under Alfred’s patronage, framed events to emphasise his leadership and victories.
By recording history from a West Saxon perspective, it reinforced the idea of Alfred as the defender of all English Christians against Viking threats. Its narrative helped preserve the ideological groundwork for a united English kingship.
Alfred’s marriage alliances and political cooperation with Ealdorman Æthelred of Mercia created a united defensive front.
Allowed coordinated military campaigns against Viking forces.
Integrated governance structures between Wessex and Mercia.
Extended Alfred’s influence over central England without direct conquest.
Key symbols included coinage, religious patronage, and public legal proclamations.
Coin inscriptions named Alfred as king, spreading his image across his territories.
Support for the Church and monasteries enhanced his moral authority.
Law codes, often issued in writing, projected the idea of uniform royal governance.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
In which year did Alfred the Great die, and what title was most commonly used to describe his kingship during his lifetime?
Question 1 (2 marks)
1 mark for identifying the year 899.
1 mark for identifying the most commonly used title as ‘King of the Anglo-Saxons’.
Question 2 (5 marks)
Explain two ways in which Alfred’s reign helped to lay the foundations for the later use of the title ‘King of the English’.
Question 2 (5 marks)
Award up to 3 marks for each explanation; maximum 5 marks in total.
Possible points include:
Military Integration: Alfred reorganised the army and developed a burh system, improving defence across Wessex and allied Mercia (1 mark). This cooperation between kingdoms fostered the idea of unity under one ruler (1–2 additional marks depending on detail).
Administrative Cohesion: Introduction of consistent legal codes and governance structures across his realm (1 mark). This administrative consistency supported the concept of a single political entity (1–2 additional marks depending on detail).
Cultural Unification: Promotion of literacy, learning, and Christian identity (1 mark). These cultural initiatives created a shared sense of Englishness beyond local loyalties (1–2 additional marks depending on detail).
Marks should be awarded for any other valid explanation based on accurate historical knowledge of Alfred’s reign.
