A Prince Thrust Into Kingship When Alfred was born, it was unlikely that he would take the throne. Being the seventh son of a King whose power is not divinely granted and is not passed down through lineage but is democratically elected by a council of elders, during a time of great turmoil, war, subterfuge and treachery is not a winning recipe for success. So perhaps Alfred can be somewhat forgiven for his rulership when he first came to the throne. Whilst an unlikely ruler, the inklings and evidence of a potentially great man lay in the courage of his actions. It is in all likelihood that lesser men in Alfred’s position would have been granted the epitaph ‘the Unready’ or ‘the Deserter’ rather than ‘the Great. Alfred could not have taken the throne of Wessex during a more dire time, but the situation would get much worse before it could get better, and the course of English history would have been very different had Alfred not been the King of Wessex during this time of turmoil.
Alfred's Rise & Reign
Alfred's Rise & Reign
Alfred's Rise & Reign
A Prince Thrust Into Kingship When Alfred was born, it was unlikely that he would take the throne. Being the seventh son of a King whose power is not divinely granted and is not passed down through lineage but is democratically elected by a council of elders, during a time of great turmoil, war, subterfuge and treachery is not a winning recipe for success. So perhaps Alfred can be somewhat forgiven for his rulership when he first came to the throne. Whilst an unlikely ruler, the inklings and evidence of a potentially great man lay in the courage of his actions. It is in all likelihood that lesser men in Alfred’s position would have been granted the epitaph ‘the Unready’ or ‘the Deserter’ rather than ‘the Great. Alfred could not have taken the throne of Wessex during a more dire time, but the situation would get much worse before it could get better, and the course of English history would have been very different had Alfred not been the King of Wessex during this time of turmoil.