The Model Catholic Monarch, by Phillip Campbell

In the annals of English history, Alfred of Wessex stands out as one of the great Catholic monarchs of the medieval period. In this article, we shall review the life and character of this most exemplary 9^th century ruler, who in every way stands as a model Catholic king.

In the 9^th century, England was divided into multiple little Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, collectively known as the Heptarchy. Alfred the Great, who reigned from 871 to 899 over the Kingdom of Wessex, was undoubtedly among the most powerful monarchs of the age.

As the fifth son of King Aethelwulf of Wessex, Alfred was never expected to become king and only took the throne because several of his elder brothers unexpectedly predeceased him. Because he was not expected to reign, his mother Osburga spent considerable effort educating him, with the result that Alfred was one of the most well-educated kings of the Anglo-Saxon era (though initially he struggled with reading and writing). …

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