St Alfred the Great

Saint Alfred the Great was one of England’s most remarkable rulers, celebrated for both his deep Christian faith and his wisdom as king. Born in 849 in Wantage, he became King of Wessex in 871 at a time when England was under constant threat from Viking invasions. Alfred successfully defended his kingdom at the Battle of Edington in 878 and secured peace through the Treaty of Wedmore. Beyond the battlefield, Alfred viewed his calling to rule as a vocation to serve God. He promoted education, founded schools, and translated key Latin texts into Old English so his people could learn Scripture and the teachings of the Church. His personal piety and sense of justice made him not only a national leader but also a spiritual one. Alfred’s laws were deeply rooted in Christian morality, and he regularly sought counsel from clergy to govern wisely and mercifully.