In the long list of English rulers there is only one king who achieved to be honored with the epithet the Great. Alfred the Great is known today as one of the most successful kings of England and has become a national hero. The role of the national failure, however, has been ascribed to King Ethelred II, who is known as Ethelred the Unready. Both kings ruled in Anglo-Saxon times, their reigns are only about one hundred years apart and both had to face the same enemy: the Vikings from Scandinavia. Although it seems as if the two kings ruled under the same prerequisites, their reigns had very different outcomes and they have opposing reputations today. King Alfred, who ruled the kingdom of Wessex from 871 to 899, is today remembered and glorified as a great Christian king, who defeated the Vikings, who continuously invaded and plundered England in the second half of the ninth century. Apart from great military and political achievements, Alfred also stands for educational reform and is credited for having laid the foundations for what was to become the Anglo-Saxon kingdom. King Ethelred ruled this kingdom from 978 to 1016. Today, he is seen as a weak and powerless king, who did not manage to fight off the Vikings who were attacking the Anglo-Saxon kingdom during his reign, especially at the beginning of the eleventh century. He is accused of having lost control over his kingdom and having handed it over to the Vikings without developing a coherent strategy of defense.
In order to find out how and why King Alfred and King Ethelred acquired such different reputations and whether they are justified, one has to have a close look at their reigns and especially at the actions they took to keep the Viking invaders from plundering and conquering their kingdom. Despite these problems, which will be a central theme in this work, the following text aims at presenting detailed accounts of King Alfred the Great and King Ethelred the Unready’s struggles against the Viking invaders in order to allow for a direct comparison of their actions. Certainly, this work can make no claims of providing a comprehensive and complete picture of the kings’ personalities and their reigns. It is rather meant to present an overview, which can be used as a basis for an evaluation and reassessment of Alfred and Ethelred’s legacies.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Reign of King Alfred the Great
- 2.1 The General Situation in Wessex
- 2.2 The Viking Threat during King Alfred's Reign
- 3. The Reign of King Ethelred the Unready
- 3.1 The General Situation in the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom
- 3.2 The Viking Threat during King Ethelred's Reign
- 4. Actions against the Viking Threat
- 4.1 Military Strategies
- 4.1.1 Alfred's Military Strategies
- 4.1.2 Ethelred's Military Strategies
- 4.2 Political Actions
- 4.2.1 Alfred's Political Actions
- 4.2.2 Ethelred's Political Actions
- 4.3 The Role of the Church and Learning in the Fight against the Vikings
- 4.3.1 The Role of the Church and Learning during Alfred's Reign
- 4.3.2 The Role of the Church and Learning during Ethelred's Reign
- 4.1 Military Strategies
- 5. The Kings' Legacies
- 5.1 The Cult of Alfred the Great
- 5.2 The Bad Reputation of Ethelred the Unready
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to compare the reigns of King Alfred the Great and King Ethelred the Unready, focusing on their responses to the Viking invasions. By analyzing their military strategies, political actions, and the role of religion and learning in their reigns, the study seeks to understand the contrasting legacies these kings have left behind and evaluate whether their historical reputations are justified.
- The contrasting reigns of Alfred the Great and Ethelred the Unready.
- The impact of Viking invasions on Anglo-Saxon England.
- Military and political strategies employed by Alfred and Ethelred against the Vikings.
- The role of the Church and learning in shaping the responses to the Viking threat.
- The development of the historical reputations of Alfred and Ethelred.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for a comparative study of the reigns of King Alfred the Great and King Ethelred the Unready. It establishes the stark contrast in their historical reputations – Alfred as a national hero and Ethelred as a national failure – and highlights the common challenge they faced: the Viking invasions. The chapter emphasizes the importance of critically examining available sources to determine the validity of these contrasting reputations and introduces the main themes that will be explored throughout the work. The author clearly articulates the need for a detailed analysis of the kings' actions against the Vikings, making it the core focus of the subsequent chapters.
2. The Reign of King Alfred the Great: This chapter provides an overview of Alfred's reign, focusing on the general situation in Wessex and the Viking threat during his rule. It touches upon Alfred's early life and his exposure to continental influences, highlighting his position as a legitimate heir. The chapter lays the groundwork for understanding the context within which Alfred's actions against the Vikings took place, serving as a crucial background for later chapters that analyze his specific strategies and their effectiveness. This detailed historical context of his reign helps to evaluate his achievements and contributions.
3. The Reign of King Ethelred the Unready: This chapter mirrors the structure of the previous one by providing a general overview of Ethelred's reign, focusing on the situation in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom and the persistent Viking threat. It sets the stage for evaluating Ethelred's policies and actions against the Vikings in comparison with those of Alfred. By presenting the historical context of Ethelred's reign, the chapter establishes a framework for a nuanced understanding of his leadership and its impact on the Anglo-Saxon kingdom. This contextualization is critical to evaluating his responses to the Viking threat.
4. Actions against the Viking Threat: This chapter delves into the specific actions taken by both Alfred and Ethelred to counter the Viking threat. It examines their military strategies, political maneuvers, and the role of the Church and learning in their respective responses. A detailed comparison of the kings' approaches is conducted, focusing on both their similarities and differences, which will be essential in assessing their effectiveness. The chapter will delve into the specific choices made by each king and analyze their ramifications within the greater context of the Viking wars. This analysis would be critical to evaluating the success and failures of their strategies.
Keywords
King Alfred the Great, King Ethelred the Unready, Viking invasions, Anglo-Saxon England, military strategies, political actions, the Church, learning, historical reputation, primary sources, secondary sources, comparative analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Study of the Reigns of King Alfred the Great and King Ethelred the Unready
What is the main focus of this study?
This study focuses on a comparative analysis of the reigns of King Alfred the Great and King Ethelred the Unready, specifically examining their responses to the Viking invasions of Anglo-Saxon England. It aims to understand their contrasting legacies and evaluate the validity of their historical reputations.
What aspects of the reigns are compared?
The study compares the military strategies, political actions, and the role of the Church and learning in the reigns of both kings. It analyzes their approaches to combating the Viking threat and assesses the effectiveness of their respective strategies.
What are the key themes explored in the study?
Key themes include the contrasting reigns of Alfred and Ethelred, the impact of Viking invasions on Anglo-Saxon England, the military and political strategies employed against the Vikings, the role of the Church and learning in shaping the responses to the Viking threat, and the development of the historical reputations of Alfred and Ethelred.
What is the structure of the study?
The study is structured into five chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction, setting the stage for the comparison. Chapters 2 and 3 offer overviews of the reigns of Alfred and Ethelred, respectively. Chapter 4 delves into a detailed comparison of their actions against the Viking threat, examining their military and political strategies, and the role of religion and learning. Chapter 5 explores the lasting legacies and historical reputations of both kings.
What sources are used in the study?
The study utilizes both primary and secondary sources to analyze the reigns of Alfred and Ethelred. While the specific sources are not listed in this preview, the importance of critically examining these sources to form a balanced and accurate understanding of events is emphasized.
What is the overall aim of the study?
The study aims to provide a nuanced and balanced comparison of the reigns of Alfred and Ethelred, moving beyond simplistic narratives to offer a more critical and comprehensive understanding of their roles in shaping Anglo-Saxon England's response to the Viking invasions. It seeks to determine whether their historical reputations are justified based on a detailed analysis of their actions and their context.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the preview?
The preview includes brief summaries of each chapter, outlining the key topics covered in each section. These summaries highlight the progression of the analysis from setting the historical context to comparing the kings' responses to the Viking threat and finally evaluating their lasting legacies.
What are the keywords associated with the study?
Keywords include King Alfred the Great, King Ethelred the Unready, Viking invasions, Anglo-Saxon England, military strategies, political actions, the Church, learning, historical reputation, primary sources, secondary sources, and comparative analysis.
What is the intended audience for this study?
The study is intended for an academic audience interested in Anglo-Saxon history, specifically the reigns of Alfred the Great and Ethelred the Unready, and their responses to the Viking invasions. The detailed analysis and comparative approach suggest its suitability for university-level studies or researchers in the field.
- Quote paper
- Anna Poppen (Author), 2010, Alfred the Great and Ethelred the Unready. Two Anglo-Saxon Kings and their Actions against the Viking Threat, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/230251
