The Formation of an Anglo-Saxon Kingdom Under Alfred the Great

Cunningham, Katelynn

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The Formation of an Anglo-Saxon Kingdom Under Alfred the Great

Cunningham, Katelynn

Abstract

Viking invasions beginning in the late 8th century and continuing throughout the 9th century lead to the weakening and fall of all of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms except for the Kingdom of Wessex. This thesis seeks to explore the creation of a single Anglo-Saxon Kingdom through the development of a dominant Wessex political structure and the standardization of an Anglo-Saxon cultural identity under Alfred the Great in the late 9th century C.E. The way in which Alfred organized the defense of his kingdom contributed to the centralization of his administration politically and economically. Additionally, Alfred’s revival of learning and Christianity further consolidated his authority by ensuring the effectiveness of his administration and cultivating the support of the Church. Increased literacy rates and a revival of monasticism also created a literate audience base and production centers for his Anglo-Saxon Chronicle which served to justify Alfred’s reign while standardizing and spreading the concept of an Anglo-Saxon identity.