Alfred's programme for learning

Question 1

What was the time period which Alfred’s renaissance took place in?

Answer 1

Between the end of the first Viking war (Edington 878) and the beginning of the New Danes arriving from Francia (892)

Question 2

What was the purpose of the renaissance vs the purpose of his burghal/military reforms?

Answer 2

(Abels) His programme of burghal construction and military reforms were designed to PREVENT Viking forces from penetrating his kingdom in the future, whereas, his renaissance was intended to CURE the problem of the Vikings altogether - Alfred felt that a revival of learning was essential if the Vikings were to ever be defeated

Question 3

What were the steps involved in his renaissance?

Answer 3

1) A ‘head hunting’ programme of scholars and teachers being summoned from other kingdoms and abroad to educate Alfred and his court
2) Programme of translating carefully chosen texts into the vernacular (and producing new ones - ASC and Asser). - ‘Those most necessary for men to know’
3) Ealdormen and any individuals in a position of authority made to learn to read
4) Setting up a court school for Alfred’s children, those of his nobles and boys of ‘lesser birth’ considered promising

Question 4

What does Alfred say in his preface to his translation of Pastoral Care?

Answer 4

• “few this side of the Humber” could read or understand Latin
• “Wisdom had completely fallen off in England
• Alfred longed to return to what he saw as the ‘golden age’ of learning back in the 17th century, described by Bede in his ecclesiastical history

Question 5

What was Alfred’s potential inspiration for this sort of thinking?

Answer 5

• Legendary Frankish king, Charlemange, also emphasised learning and devotion to god in order to defeat outsiders (we know that Alfred was heavily influenced and inspired by the prestigious Carolingian dynasty - eg. Asser biography inspired by Einhard’s biography of Charlemagne)

Question 6

Why did Alfred value wisdom?

Answer 6

He felt it was a core Christian value that his subjects needed to develop to become better servants of god. As king, Alfred felt his role was to guide his people into the best possible position of accessing heaven

Question 7

Why would the renaissance be helpful on a more practical level?

Answer 7

Better educated officials would make administration of his enlarged kingdom much more efficient and effective:
- his orders could be communicated via writing
- Legal officials could be educated enough to make morally correct judgements - emphasis on fairness and equity in the law code
- Wanted all men across England to be able to read in the VERNACULAR (only priests needed to learn Latin) - Alfred wanted everyone to be able to actively engage in religion and discuss and understand its beliefs, not just outwardly conform to the practices

Question 8

What is evidence for Alfred’s love for learning (even from an early age)?

Answer 8

• The story of where Alfred won a competition put up by his mum for the first to memorize a book of poetry
• He would carry his ‘handboc’ around with him everywhere to add to - a little of psalms and prayers (Asser)
• (Asser) Alfred had scholars read to him ‘day and night’ and teach him how to read and write Latin
• Drew up the plan of texts to be translated himself (translating 4/7 personally)
• Alfred set up a court school - Asser claims that Alfred personally taught the sons of his ealdormen ‘day and night’
• Asser says how Alfred threatened his nobles with ‘the greatest of punishments’ if they didn’t learn to read
• Alfred updated and restocked libraries to replace those lost by Vikings
• Scholar programme from outside of Wessex