Alfred the Great

Alfred was the youngest son of King Æthelwulf and his first wife Osburh, both of whom died when he was young. Three older brothers reigned in turn before the throne came to him in 871. He spent his early years as king fighting Viking invasions, finally winning decisively at the Battle of Edington in 878. The victory led to an agreement that divided England between Anglo-Saxon territory and the Viking-ruled Danelaw — Scandinavian York, the north-east Midlands, and East Anglia. Alfred oversaw the conversion of the Viking leader Guthrum to Christianity, defended against further attempts at conque…