ALFRED THE GREAT: Myths, Legends & History

Alfred the Great was not likely to be king if the circumstances of his life did not happen. He was the youngest son of Aethelwulf, king of Wessex and he had four elder brothers who were in line to succeed in the throne. Yet, as if in an act of fate, his father and all his older brothers died during the invasion of the Vikings. You can say that greatness was in him and yet greatness was thrown into his lap as things turned from good to worse. One of the great hallmarks of his life was the defense