Learnings: The Rise of Alfred
Soon after Alfred became king, every single Anglo-Saxon kingdom, with the exception of Wessex, was controlled by the Scandinavians. Far from being the last bastion of freedom in the kingdom, it now seems likely that Alfred, like everyone else, paid tribute to the Vikings and became a client king—that is, a king who remained in power as long as they pleased their Scandinavian overlords.
Becoming a client king was likely a necessity rather than a choice. Alfred was as much as a part of the political landscape as anyone else at that time. He was, however, the first to successfully free himself, and his people, from the constraints imposed by foreign rulers. This was (and still is) a feat worthy of respect.
This silver penny was minted in the first decade of King Alfred's reign. Today, these coins can be worth up to 20,000 British pounds.