Alfred “The Great” reigned for 28 years (871-899) and he was called “The Great” because of his valiant defense of his kingdom against a stronger enemy, for securing peace with the Vikings and for his farsighted reforms in the reconstruction of Wessex and beyond. His resistance was shown when he defeated the “Danes” (Vikings) as they invaded the northwest portion of England. He also pushed for a better education and helped make learning important in the lives of the people of his land. Education declined due to the fact that the Danes were invading the monasteries and churches which were the center of education. Alfred believed that learning "makes life more rewarding and enjoyable; he worst thing of all is ignorance" (Alfred). He also kept the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and established a code of law based on the teachings of the Bible. This helped maintain social order. With this improvement of education also the economy evolved due to the formation of the human resources which start having better life conditions, better work conditions and better economic conditions. All of this made England have a bigger and better Economic growth and also a Development growth. So we can say that it was in the reign of Alfred that England started its journey to become one of the most powerful economies in the World.
Like other West Saxon kings, Alfred established a legal code; he assembled the laws of Offa and other predecessors, and of the kingdoms of Mercia and Kent, adding his own administrative regulations to form a definitive body of Anglo-Saxon law.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_the_Great
http://www.royal.gov.uk/HistoryoftheMonarchy/KingsandQueensofEngland/TheAnglo-Saxonkings/AlfredtheGreat.aspx
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