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Alfred the Great's reign as King of the West Saxons concluded with his death in 899 AD.
Answer: True
Alfred the Great reigned as King of the West Saxons from 871 until his death in 899 AD, later also becoming King of the Anglo-Saxons.
According to Asser, Alfred did not learn to read until he was twelve years old.
Answer: True
Bishop Asser's account states that Alfred learned to read at the age of twelve, contrary to the notion that he was fluent at five.
During Æthelwulf's pilgrimage to Rome in 856, his son Æthelbald peacefully assumed the throne of Wessex without any compromise.
Answer: False
Upon Æthelwulf's return from Rome in 856, his son Æthelbald had seized the throne. A compromise was reached where Æthelbald ruled the western shires, and Æthelwulf retained the eastern parts.
Alfred's accession to the throne in 871 was uncontested because he was the sole surviving heir.
Answer: False
Alfred's accession in 871 occurred following his brother Æthelred's death. While he was the surviving brother, the succession likely involved an agreement to prioritize stability during the ongoing Danish invasions, rather than being solely due to being the sole heir.
The legend of the burnt cakes involves Alfred being scolded by a peasant woman for letting her bread burn while he was preoccupied with state affairs.
Answer: True
The popular legend recounts Alfred, in disguise, being sheltered by a peasant woman who tasked him with watching her cakes; he became distracted by his own troubles and allowed them to burn, earning her rebuke.
Alfred's sister, Æthelswith, married a Mercian nobleman, strengthening ties between Wessex and Mercia.
Answer: True
Alfred's sister, Æthelswith, married Burgred, the King of Mercia, in 853, which was a significant political alliance between the two kingdoms.
What was the primary challenge Alfred faced upon ascending the throne in 871?
Answer: Continuous Viking invasions
Upon his accession in 871, Alfred's reign was immediately dominated by the challenge of continuous and severe Viking invasions, requiring his constant military engagement.
According to Asser, at what age did Alfred learn to read?
Answer: Age 12
Bishop Asser's biography indicates that Alfred did not commence learning to read until he reached the age of twelve.
What happened when Æthelwulf returned from his pilgrimage to Rome in 856?
Answer: He was deposed by his son Æthelbald, leading to a division of rule.
Upon Æthelwulf's return from his Roman pilgrimage, his son Æthelbald had usurped the throne, resulting in a division of rule within Wessex.
The Battle of Edington in 878 resulted in a decisive victory for the Viking forces led by Guthrum.
Answer: False
The Battle of Edington in 878 was a decisive victory for Alfred the Great, leading to Guthrum's surrender and subsequent conversion to Christianity.
The Great Heathen Army landed in Northumbria in 865 with the goal of establishing permanent settlements across England.
Answer: False
The Great Heathen Army landed in East Anglia in 865, initiating a period of extensive conflict and conquest across Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, not solely Northumbria.
Alfred and his brother Æthelred suffered a significant defeat at the Battle of Reading in 871.
Answer: True
In 871, Alfred and his brother Æthelred experienced a defeat at the Battle of Reading, one of several engagements against the Great Heathen Army during that year.
After the Danes withdrew from Wessex in 877, they immediately surrendered to Alfred and abandoned England.
Answer: False
In 877, the Danes withdrew from Wessex and moved their winter quarters to Mercia. They did not surrender or abandon England at that time.
Alfred's emergence from Athelney in May 878 marked the end of his resistance against the Vikings.
Answer: False
Alfred's emergence from Athelney in May 878 signified the beginning of his organized counter-offensive, rallying forces for the decisive Battle of Edington.
The Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum established a boundary that ran along the River Severn and Watling Street.
Answer: False
The Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum established a boundary that ran along the River Thames and Lea, then to Bedford, and subsequently along the River Ouse to Watling Street, dividing England into Anglo-Saxon and Danelaw territories.
Alfred's naval reforms involved building larger longships, possibly twice the size of Viking warships, designed for greater speed and maneuverability.
Answer: True
Around 896, Alfred commissioned the construction of larger longships, potentially double the size of typical Viking vessels, featuring 60 oars and designed for enhanced speed and stability.
What was the significant outcome of the Battle of Edington in 878?
Answer: The establishment of a boundary dividing Anglo-Saxon territory and the Danelaw.
The decisive victory at the Battle of Edington led to the Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum, which established a territorial division of England into Anglo-Saxon lands and the Viking-controlled Danelaw.
The Great Heathen Army, which landed in England in 865, was primarily composed of which group?
Answer: Danish Vikings
The Great Heathen Army, which initiated significant invasions in 865, was primarily composed of Danish Vikings.
Which of the following battles in 870-871 resulted in a victory for Alfred and his brother Æthelred?
Answer: Battle of Ashdown
During the campaigns of 870-871, Alfred and his brother Æthelred achieved a victory at the Battle of Ashdown against the Great Heathen Army.
What agreement was made between Alfred and the Viking leader Guthrum following the Battle of Edington?
Answer: Guthrum converted to Christianity, and Alfred became his godfather.
Following his defeat at Edington, Guthrum converted to Christianity, and Alfred stood as his godfather, symbolizing a significant diplomatic and religious resolution.
What was the outcome for Guthrum after his defeat at the Battle of Edington?
Answer: He surrendered, converted to Christianity, and became Alfred's godson.
Following his defeat at the Battle of Edington, Guthrum surrendered, converted to Christianity, and was subsequently baptized with Alfred serving as his godfather.
What innovation did Alfred introduce in naval design around 896?
Answer: Larger longships, possibly twice the size of Viking warships, with 60 oars.
Around 896, Alfred commissioned the construction of significantly larger longships, potentially double the size of contemporary Viking vessels, featuring 60 oars.
What was the consequence of the Danish attack on Chippenham in January 878?
Answer: Alfred was forced to flee into the marshes of Somerset and establish a fort at Athelney.
The surprise Danish attack on Chippenham in January 878 compelled Alfred to seek refuge in the Somerset marshes, where he established his stronghold at Athelney.
What was the primary aim of Alfred's naval activities and reforms?
Answer: To counter Viking threats and protect the coastline.
Alfred's naval reforms and activities were primarily directed towards countering Viking threats and ensuring the protection of the English coastline.
Alfred's military reforms primarily focused on strengthening the traditional fyrd system by increasing its numbers.
Answer: False
Alfred's military reforms involved more than just increasing the fyrd's numbers; they included establishing a more organized system of taxation and conscription to maintain a standing army and a network of fortified burhs.
Alfred's 'burghal system' comprised a network of fortified settlements strategically distributed throughout the kingdom for defense and rapid military response.
Answer: True
The 'burghal system' established by Alfred involved creating a network of fortified settlements ('burhs') to provide defense and facilitate rapid military deployment against Viking incursions.
Alfred's law code, issued in the late 880s or early 890s, synthesized existing laws and introduced new ones based on Christian principles and his own judgment.
Answer: True
Alfred's law code aimed to synthesize existing laws with new legislation derived from Christian principles and his own judicial considerations, rather than being solely based on his judgments.
Alfred believed secular and spiritual authority were intertwined, with kings responsible for both the temporal and spiritual welfare of their subjects.
Answer: True
Alfred did not perceive secular and spiritual authority as separate; he considered kings responsible for the well-being of their subjects in both temporal and spiritual matters.
The 'Burghal Hidage' is a document detailing the 'hidage' for fortified towns and their defense requirements, illustrating Alfred's burghal system.
Answer: True
The 'Burghal Hidage' is a historical document that lists fortified towns ('burhs') and specifies their required 'hidage' (land assessment) for defense purposes, thereby outlining Alfred's defensive network.
Alfred's law code incorporated Christian teachings, emphasizing mercy and justice rather than harsh punishments aligned with Viking traditions.
Answer: True
Alfred's law code integrated Christian principles, focusing on mercy and justice, which contrasted with the harsher retribution often found in Viking legal traditions.
What was the purpose of Alfred's 'burghal system'?
Answer: To create a network of fortified settlements for defense and rapid military response.
The 'burghal system' was designed to establish a strategic network of fortified settlements ('burhs') that enhanced the kingdom's defense capabilities and allowed for swift military responses.
What was the primary goal of Alfred's legal reforms and his law code?
Answer: To create a just legal system based on Christian principles and synthesized laws.
Alfred's legal reforms aimed to synthesize existing laws with new Christian principles, establishing a just legal framework that promoted social order and loyalty.
How did Alfred address the limitations of the traditional Anglo-Saxon fyrd system?
Answer: By implementing reforms for a more organized system of taxation and conscription to maintain a standing army and burhs.
Alfred reformed the fyrd system by establishing a more organized structure for taxation and conscription, enabling the maintenance of a standing army and the garrisons of the burhs.
What was the purpose of the 'herepaths' created during Alfred's reign?
Answer: Roads maintained for army use, connecting the burhs and disrupting Viking routes.
'Herepaths' were roads specifically maintained for military use, facilitating troop movement between fortified burhs and hindering Viking operations.
How did Alfred's personal piety influence his governance?
Answer: He believed kings were responsible for both the temporal and spiritual welfare of their subjects.
Alfred's deep piety informed his governance, as he believed kings were divinely appointed to care for both the temporal and spiritual welfare of their people.
What was the historical context of the 'Burghal Hidage'?
Answer: A document detailing the 'hidage' for fortified towns and their defense requirements.
The 'Burghal Hidage' is a significant document that outlines the defensive organization of Alfred's kingdom by listing fortified towns and their required contributions for defense.
Which of the following accurately describes the 'trinoda necessitas'?
Answer: The three essential public obligations of landholders for kingdom defense.
The 'trinoda necessitas' referred to the three fundamental public obligations required of landholders in Anglo-Saxon England: military service, fortress construction, and bridge repair.
Which of the following best describes Alfred's perspective on the relationship between secular and spiritual authority?
Answer: Secular and spiritual authority were intertwined, with kings responsible for both.
Alfred viewed secular and spiritual authority as interconnected, believing that kings held responsibility for the temporal and spiritual welfare of their subjects.
Bishop Asser's work, *Life of King Alfred*, was written around 893 AD, documenting key aspects of Alfred's reign.
Answer: True
Bishop Asser, a key figure in Alfred's court, authored the *Life of King Alfred* around 893 AD, providing valuable historical documentation of the king's life and reign.
Alfred lamented that Viking raids had led to a severe decline in literacy and the understanding of Latin texts in England.
Answer: True
Alfred expressed deep concern that the Viking invasions had caused a significant decline in literacy, making it difficult for many to comprehend religious services or translate Latin texts.
Alfred personally translated four major works, including Gregory the Great's *Pastoral Care* and Boethius's *Consolation of Philosophy*.
Answer: True
Historical accounts suggest Alfred personally translated four significant works, including *Pastoral Care* and *Consolation of Philosophy*, among others.
The Alfred Jewel, associated with King Alfred, is believed to have served as an 'astel' or pointer used for reading.
Answer: True
The Alfred Jewel is hypothesized to be an 'astel,' a pointer used to follow text during readings, commissioned by Alfred to accompany translations of his works.
Which scholar documented Alfred's life and reign in the work *Life of King Alfred*?
Answer: Asser
Bishop Asser, a learned cleric and close associate of Alfred, authored the seminal biography *Life of King Alfred*, documenting the king's life and achievements.
Which of the following is NOT among the works believed to have been personally translated by Alfred?
Answer: Virgil's *Aeneid*
While Alfred is credited with translating works such as *Pastoral Care*, *Consolation of Philosophy*, and *Soliloquies*, Virgil's *Aeneid* is not among those attributed to his personal translation efforts.
What is the significance of the Alfred Jewel?
Answer: It is believed to be an 'astel' or pointer used for reading, commissioned by Alfred.
The Alfred Jewel is widely believed to be an 'astel,' a pointer used for reading, possibly commissioned by Alfred himself to accompany translations of his works.
What did Alfred lament about the state of learning in England due to the Danish raids?
Answer: That literacy had declined severely, with few understanding services or translating Latin.
Alfred lamented the devastating impact of the Danish raids on learning, noting a severe decline in literacy that left few capable of understanding services or translating Latin texts.
What was the primary purpose of Alfred's translation program?
Answer: To ensure important knowledge, especially Christian wisdom, was accessible in the vernacular English language.
Alfred's translation program aimed to disseminate crucial knowledge, particularly Christian wisdom, by making it accessible in the vernacular Old English language for his subjects.
Alfred's significant achievements in military defense, legal reform, promotion of education, and unification of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms led to him being posthumously recognized with the epithet 'the Great'.
Answer: True
Alfred earned the epithet 'the Great' due to his significant achievements, but this title was not used by his contemporaries and became popular from the 16th century onwards, reflecting his posthumous reputation.
Prior to Alfred's grandfather, Ecgberht, Wessex was the dominant political power in England, with Mercia playing a minor role.
Answer: False
Before Ecgberht's reign, Mercia had previously dominated southern England. Ecgberht's victory at the Battle of Ellendun in 825 ended Mercia's supremacy and established Wessex as the preeminent power.
Alfred began styling himself as 'King of the Anglo-Saxons' *before* reoccupying London.
Answer: False
Alfred began using the title 'King of the Anglo-Saxons' around 886 AD, subsequent to his successful reoccupation and restoration of London.
Alfred's foreign relations primarily manifested through engaging in military campaigns against neighboring kingdoms.
Answer: False
While Alfred engaged in military actions, his foreign relations also included diplomatic correspondence, embassies, and alliances, such as with the Welsh princes.
The statue of Alfred the Great in Southwark is London's newest outdoor statue, erected in the 20th century.
Answer: False
The statue in Southwark is considered London's oldest outdoor statue, with its lower half dating back to Roman times.
Alfred's remains were definitively located and verified in Hyde Abbey during the 18th century.
Answer: False
Alfred was initially buried in Winchester's Old Minster, later moved to Hyde Abbey. While his remains were disturbed in the 18th century, their definitive location and verification remain inconclusive.
During his reign, Alfred the Great was primarily known as the King of the West Saxons and later the King of the Anglo-Saxons.
Answer: The King of the West Saxons and later the Anglo-Saxons
Alfred initially reigned as King of the West Saxons and subsequently adopted the title King of the Anglo-Saxons, reflecting his expanded authority.
Why is Alfred the Great referred to by the epithet 'the Great'?
Answer: Because of his significant achievements in military defense, legal reform, and promotion of education.
The epithet 'the Great' recognizes Alfred's profound contributions to military defense, legal systems, education, and the unification of Anglo-Saxon territories, although it was applied posthumously.
What was the significance of the Battle of Ellendun in 825 for Wessex?
Answer: It ended Mercia's supremacy over southern England and led to an alliance between Wessex and Mercia.
The Battle of Ellendun in 825 was a pivotal victory for Ecgberht of Wessex against Mercia, effectively ending Mercian dominance in southern England and fostering an alliance crucial for future stability.
After reoccupying London from the Vikings, Alfred adopted which new title?
Answer: King of the Anglo-Saxons
Following the restoration of London and consolidation of his authority, Alfred began to style himself as 'King of the Anglo-Saxons'.
How did Alfred's relationship with the Welsh princes evolve during his reign?
Answer: They commended themselves to his overlordship, cooperating in campaigns.
The Welsh princes, facing external pressures, commended themselves to Alfred's overlordship, leading to cooperation in military campaigns and a stable relationship.
What is the historical significance of the statue in Southwark mentioned in the source?
Answer: It is London's oldest outdoor statue, with a Roman lower half.
The statue in Southwark holds historical significance as London's oldest outdoor statue, notable for incorporating a Roman base dating to the 2nd century.