![]() ![]() They had five children whose names are known (the order is as given in Asser's Life):Īsser mentions that there were other children who died in childhood but does not name them. In 868 Alfred married Ealhswith, daughter of a Mercian ealdorman, Æthelred Mucel. ![]() In January 871 Alfred and Æthelred defeated the Vikings in the Battle of Ashdown. The first record in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles of Alfred taking a lead role in fighting is for 867 or 868, when Mercia appealed for help to him and his brother Æthelred. ĭuring Alfred's teenage years, England came under sustained Viking attack. In his section on Alfred's upbringing, Asser describes how he was not taught to read until he was 12, but subsequently developed a love of books and learning. The Canterbury manuscript of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles has a rather unlikely statement that, during the 855-6 visit, the Pope "blessed Alfred as king": Alfred had three older brothers at the time. Īsser records two journeys of Alfred and his father to Rome, one in 853 and the other in 855, stating that on the second occasion they remained there for a year. Birth, Parents and Early LifeĪsser, who knew him, states in his biography of Alfred that he was born in 849 at Wantage. I suggest you start plotting right off the bat.Alfred (Wessex) of Wessex is a member of the House of Wessex. This is why it is better to accelerate Aethelred's departure from this world as Alfred the Great. You can't really be Alfred the Great if you have two measly counties. This means the kingdom may go into the heir's hands instead of yours. Unlike in real history, Aethelred doesn't necessarily die on year 871 and sometimes he will manage to sire an heir. ![]() ![]() This can mean the enemy will be right at your capital's gates. This means the heathens will often target the Cornish counties right next to where you start. However, the Cornish people right next to Alfred the Great won't be a part of that truce. Also, these titles will take time and effort to unite later on if you don't manage to get them ASAP.Įven if you manage to beat the Great Heathen Army back, you will get into a truce with the Great Heathen Army. If your brother gave these titles out, you won't be able to do so. Personally I suggest moving your capital to Lunden where there are more slots compared to your initial starting location. This means sometimes he gives out some titles and those titles won't be inherited upon his death. Having Alfred as the commander means a stronger kingdom of Wessex to fight against the Great Heathen Army.Īethelred has points in stewardship, but more often than not, it won't be enough for the entire petty kingdom of Wessex. While it may seem wise to have Mercia and Wessex shield the Great Heathen Army for you, it is way better for you to take over rather than leaving it in the hands of Aethelred for the following reasons:Īethelred is a bad commander. I found out the hard way today, if you are playing Alfred the Great, the faster you can get rid of your brother the better.Īlfred the Great on 867 starts off with two mediocre counties while his brother Aethelred starts with the kingdom of Wessex. ![]()
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