Database: Aelfred
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The youngest son of Æthelwulf, King of Wessex until 858 CE.
As a child, Aelfred made a pilgrimage with his father to Rome, where he was blessed by Pope Leo IV. The pontiff recounted to the boy his success in defeating the Saracens at the Battle of Ostia. The grandeur and solemnity of the Roman Church made a lasting impression on young Aelfred. With five older brothers, Aelfred had little expectation of becoming king, and so devoted himself to scholarly pursuits, beginning a life-long interest in learning.
When Wessex became the target of Viking raids, Aelfred fought alongside his brother Aethelred, now king, and proved himself a more than capable commander. The storied battles of Reading, Ashdown, Wilton, and others followed. Aelfred succeeded to the crown when Aethelred died from wounds sustained at the Battle of Merton.
Eventually, he came to be known as Aelfred the Great for his heroic defense of England. But for the life of him, he couldn't manage the simple task of baking a cake.