Alfred the Great

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"Henceforth I aim to improve our lot by harmozing the average man with the order of the universe. To walk him down a quiet road, to lead him to safe and sober thoughts, to quiet his mind and cool his impassioned heart. Be he God-fearing or God-less, this new Order will encompass all and seek to improve man by aligning his needs with the ebb and flow of nature itself. This is my hope. This is my vow."

―Alfred in his commentary.

Alfred the Great (Old English: Aelfrēd; c. 849 – 899), also known as Alfred of Wessex, was King of Wessex from 871 to 886 and later King of the Anglo-Saxons from c. 886 to 899. During his reign, he repelled the Viking invasions and laid the foundation for what became the Kingdom of England.

Secretly, he was also the Grand Maegester of the Order of the Ancients in England, a position he inherited from his late elder brother Æthelred, who in turn had adopted it after the death of their father Æthelwulf. Believing the role's required worship of the Isu to be blasphemous and defiling Christianity, Alfred worked to eliminate the Order from within, though the Viking invasion of England delayed his plans.

After the Viking and Hidden Ones ally Eivor Varinsdottir with whom Alfred developed a complicated relationship, eradicated the Order's agents in England, Alfred left the Order of Ancients. Over the next years, he focused his attention on building a new order to replace it, one that was more compatible with his Christian principles and which would rapidly develop into the Templar Order.

Biography

Early life

Alfred was born as the youngest son of King Æthelwulf of Wessex and Osburh. As a child, Alfred accompanied his father to Rome, where he met and was blessed by Pope Leo IV. The pope recounted to Alfred his victory against Saracen pirates at the Battle of Ostia in 849, which made a lasting impression on the young boy. As the youngest of the brothers in the family, little expectations were placed on Alfred of becoming king, so he devoted himself to learning and scholarly pursuits.

In the late 860s, Wessex became subjected to Viking raids from the north by the Great Heathen Army which led Alfred to fight alongside his brother Æthelred, who became king in 865. Alfred proved himself a capable commander, scoring victories at the battles of Reading, Ashdown and Wilton.

Reign as king

Alfred became king after Æthelred died from wounds sustained during the Battle of Merton, and in turn, his brother's leadership of the Order of the Ancients.

Behind the scenes

Alfred the Great is a historical figure and character introduced in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, where he is voiced by Tom Lewis.

According to Assassin's Creed: Valhalla's narrative director Darby McDevitt, Alfred is an antagonist in the game, but he is not be the central antagonist.

Gallery

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  Concept art of Alfred
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  Concept art of Alfred's robes
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  Promotional Art
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  Promotional Art
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  Alfred at his desk
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  Database image

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (first appearance)