Ethelwulf [King of] WESSEX

                   SOURCES:
    1. Anglo-Saxon Bishops, Kings & Nobles, Eng. 104, p. 300, 342, 343
    2. Royal Line of Succession, A16-A225, p. 6
    3. Hist. Eng. P, 1949, pref. p. 151
    4. George's Hist. Tab., Eng. 102, Tab. 1
    5. Keiser und Koenig Hist., Gen. Hist. 25, pt. 1, p. 96, 97
    6. Anderson's Royal Genealogies, Eng. 130, p. 738
    7. The Plantagenet Ancestry, Eng. 116, p. 21
HISTORICAL NOTES:
    Alfred ascended to the throne in 871 at the age of 23. After a series of battles, he succeeded in liberating England from the Danes, Europe's most terrible warriors, who surrendered in 878 with a solemn oath to quit Wessex and accept baptism. During the following years of peace, Alfred rebuilt cities, erected fortresses, trained militia, and encouraged the arts and learning. He reformed the administration of justice so effectively that "a purse of money, or a pair of golden bracelets might...be exposed for weeks in complete safety on the common highways." In an era of ignorance and barbarism, Alfred was an accomplised scholar and a zealous patron of learning. He translated many historical and philosophical works. Both for what he did and for what he was, Alfred has become known to all generations of Englishmen as their best and greatest king. On his death bed, he spoke this message: "This I can now most truly say, that I have sought to live worthily while I lived, and after my life to leave to men who come after me a remembering of me in good works." His five axioms were: (1) A wise God governs. (2) All suffering may be accounted blessing. (3) God is the chiefest good. (4) Only the good are happy. (5) The fore-knowledge of God does not conflict with man's free will.