Anglo-Saxon England.

Anglo-Saxon England refers to the period of English history from the end of Roman Britain and the establishment of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in the fifth century until the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The fifth and sixth centuries are known archeologically as Sub-Roman Britain, or in popular history as the "Dark Ages"; from the sixth century larger distinctive kingdoms are developing, still known to some as the Heptarchy; the arrival of the Vikings at the end of the eighth century brought many changes to Britain. By the end of the Anglo-Saxon period, England had taken the shape of the country that continues to be the Kingdom of England now within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Through the sub-Roman period of English history, there is a strong cultural link back to the period of Roman occupation. Throughout the long Anglo-Saxon period of England's history, the kingdoms existed as an off-shore island of continental Europe. England was not, for most of this period, politically or culturally involved in wider European affairs. Relations were closer with Scandinavia than with central Europe, despite the geographical proximity of the French coast. 

When the Anglo-Saxon period ended and the Norman period began, this comparative isolation from Europe also ended. Until today, the English monarchs bear the title "Duke of Normandy." England also became embroiled in a series of European wars and for several centuries also governed territory on the European continent. This brought England into the context of a larger entity, that of Europe. The subsequent mixture of Anglo-Saxon and Norman French cultures became, over the years, a foundation for integrating England into European cultural life. Eventually, after losing her last European possession in 1558, England embarked on a global imperial program, acquiring the largest empire the world has known. Many British thought their ascendancy providential, part of the divine plan. Anyone who believes that history is not merely a series of accidents might well see God's hand behind the creation of an empire that, despite all the ills of an imperial system imposed on unwilling subjects, also left a cultural, literary, legal and political legacy that binds people of different religions and races together and linking people culturally back through the different periods of England's history to the Classic Age of Rome and Ancient Greece. 

Alfred the Great and his role in the history of the country.

King of the southern Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex and one of the outstanding figures of English history, as much for his social and educational reforms as for his military successes against the Danes. He is the only English monarch known as 'the Great'. 

Alfred was born at Wantage in Oxfordshire in 849, fourth or fifth son of Aethelwulf, king of the West Saxons. Following the wishes of their father, the sons succeeded to the kingship in turn. At a time when the country was under threat from Danish raids, this was aimed at preventing a child inheriting the throne with the related weaknesses in leadership. In 870 AD the Danes attacked the only remaining independent Anglo-Saxon kingdom, Wessex, whose forces were commanded by Alfred's older brother, King Aethelred, and Alfred himself. 

In 871 AD, Alfred defeated the Danes at the Battle of Ashdown in Berkshire. The following year, he succeeded his brother as king. Despite his success at Ashdown, the Danes continued to devastate Wessex and Alfred was forced to withdraw to the Somerset marshes, where he continued guerrilla warfare against his enemies. In 878 AD, he again defeated the Danes in the Battle of Edington. They made peace and Guthrum, their king, was baptized with Alfred as his sponsor. In 886 AD, Alfred negotiated a treaty with the Danes. England was divided, with the north and the east (between the Rivers Thames and Tees) declared to be Danish territory - later known as the 'Danelaw'. Alfred therefore gained control of areas of West Mercia and Kent which had been beyond the boundaries of Wessex. 

Alfred built up the defenses of his kingdom to ensure that it was not threatened by the Danes again. He reorganized his army and built a series of well-defended settlements across southern England. He also established a navy for use against the Danish raiders who continued to harass the coast. 

As an administrator Alfred advocated justice and order and established a code of laws and a reformed coinage. He had a strong belief in the importance of education and learnt Latin in his late thirties. He then arranged, and himself took part in, the translation of books from Latin to Anglo-Saxon. 

By the 890s, Alfred's charters and coinage were referring to him as 'king of the English'. He died in October 899 AD and was buried at his capital city of Winchester.