Alfred the Great - Philosopher King of the Viking Age

Exploring England's philosopher king, Alfred the Great. Alfred’s practical defensive reforms are admirable, but he sought to strengthen his kingdom on a deeper level. During the period of Viking invasions, Latin literacy had declined. To remedy the lack of scholars in Wessex, Alfred sought learned men from abroad. From Mercia, he secured churchmen of learning. He also dispatched messengers to the Carolingian Empire, attracting the services of learned monks, such as Grimbald of Flanders, and John the German. Asser, whose writings are today our most important source for King Alfred’s life, was a Welsh monk from the Abbey of Saint David’s. Asser came to be a close friend of the King, and became Bishop of Sherborne. Having gathered a circle of intellectuals at his court, Alfred implemented his literary revival. Grimbald of Flanders, John the German, Asser the Welshman, and the Mercians all came from differing regions, and brought a variety of intellectual traditions to the table. They contributed manuscripts of their own, and set to work refilling the libraries of England. Alfred himself enjoyed long discussions with his scholars. They read aloud to him, explaining various philosophical points. The King was curious and assiduous, asking questions and dedicating himself to the study of Latin. It is noteworthy that Alfred led by example - personally studying books he hoped would edify his subjects. Asser says that by 887 the King himself had gained proficiency in Latin, and began translating books. Again, we can admire Alfred’s personal dedication to intellectual disciplines. For a King busy with political matters, it must’ve been challenging to fit in scholarly pursuits. And yet, we know that Alfred loved poetry from childhood, and he clearly took joy in furthering his own education. Alfred not only translated several classic Latin texts, he left behind his own notes and commentary. Because of this, we understand Alfred on a personal level far better than any other ruler from early medieval England. A key work for Alfred was the book of Pastoral Care by Pope Gregory the Great, meant to instruct a bishop in the proper fulfillment of his role. Alfred clearly believed that the work was deeply important for kings as well. He created his own translation of the book, and composed an introduction that provides insight into his goals and ideals: “Therefore it seems better to me…that we too should turn into the language that we can all understand certain books which are most necessary for all men to know…so that all the free-born young men now in England who have the means to apply themselves to it, may be set to learning…until the time that they can read English writings properly.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb4f5x7Sed8
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