Few figures in early English history are as revered and mythologized as Alfred the Great, King of Wessex from 871 to 899. His reign marked a turning point in the struggle against Viking invasions and laid the foundations of what would later become the unified kingdom of England. Among the many historians who have brought Alfred’s story to life, Michael Wood stands out for his vivid and accessible narrative style. Through television documentaries and historical writing, Wood has painted an intimate and detailed portrait of Alfred, not just as a war leader but as a visionary king, reformer, and cultural pioneer.

Alfred and the Viking Age

Michael Wood places Alfred firmly within the dramatic context of the Viking Age—a period of relentless raids and invasions that threatened to engulf the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. In 865, the Great Heathen Army, a formidable coalition of Norse warriors, landed in England, systematically overwhelming East Anglia, Northumbria, and Mercia. By 871, only Wessex remained as the last bastion of Anglo-Saxon resistance.

Alfred ascended the throne that year, following the death of his brother King Æthelred. According to Wood, Alfred's early reign was marked by military struggle and internal crisis. Despite initial defeats, Alfred showed a remarkable ability to learn, adapt, and eventually outmaneuver the Vikings.

One of the most dramatic episodes Wood highlights is the winter of 878, when Alfred was forced into hiding in the marshes of Athelney. It was from this seemingly hopeless position that he launched a guerrilla campaign, culminating in his decisive victory at the Battle of Edington, where he forced the Viking leader Guthrum to accept baptism and withdraw to East Anglia. shutdown123