Honoring King Alfred the Great: A Legacy of Faith and Leadership
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Each year on 26 October, many churches reflect on the influential reign of King Alfred the Great, a monarch known for his deep Christian faith and dedication to biblical teachings. His contributions to the English language and Christian education remain significant to this day.
Early Life and Rise to Power
Born around AD 849 in Wantage, Alfred was the youngest of five brothers in the Saxon royal family of Wessex. His father, King Ethelwulf, and mother, Osburh, never anticipated that Alfred would ascend to the throne. Despite this, Alfred’s Christian upbringing, including a notable meeting with Pope Leo IV in Rome, laid the foundation for his future leadership.
Alfred’s path to kingship was shaped by the deaths of his elder brothers. Following the reigns and subsequent deaths of Kings Ethelbald, Ethelbert, and Ethelred I, Alfred assumed the throne in AD 871. His reign was characterized by his strong faith and reliance on biblical guidance.
Military and Diplomatic Achievements
King Alfred faced relentless attacks from the Danes and Vikings, known as the “Great Heathen Army.” He achieved significant victories, such as the naval battle at Swanage in AD 877 and the Battle of Edington in AD 878. After defeating the Danish leader Guthrum, Alfred extended a gesture of peace by baptizing Guthrum and allowing him to rule East Anglia, fostering a lasting peace.
These actions led to the conversion of Danish leaders to Christianity and established a treaty that treated English and Danes as equals, exemplifying Alfred’s Christian ethos of love for one’s enemies as outlined in Matthew 5:43-48.
Educational and Religious Contributions
Alfred’s reign saw a revival of Christian learning. He founded monasteries and recruited scholars, including Asser from St David’s in Wales, to enhance religious education. Alfred personally translated key Latin texts into Anglo-Saxon, an early form of English, making them accessible to a broader audience.
His translations included the Venerable Bede’s “Ecclesiastical History of the English People” and Pope Gregory the Great’s “Pastoral Care.” Alfred’s dedication to education extended to his translation of psalms, with his work on the first fifty psalms recorded in the Paris Psalter.
Legacy of Law and Literature
King Alfred was instrumental in codifying laws based on biblical principles. His law code incorporated translations of the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, highlighting his commitment to justice and fairness. Alfred’s contributions to English literature and law have earned him a lasting place in history.
Death and Commemoration
Alfred passed away on 26 October, AD 899. His remains were moved several times posthumously, with possible rediscovery in 2013. Despite not being canonized, Alfred is revered as a saint in some traditions and commemorated by the Church of England and Eastern Orthodox Church on the anniversary of his death.
Monuments and statues across England and even in the United States honor King Alfred, celebrating his enduring legacy as a foundational figure in both church and state. His contributions to English culture, language, and religion continue to be remembered and celebrated.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
