Alfred the Great and the English Language

Alfred the Great, the only English king to be accorded the epithet "the Great," is praised for his defense of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of southern England from the Vikings however is should also be mentioned that he is the defender of the English language. It should also be noted that because of Alfred the Great the English language became further developed as a written language.

After defending many kingdoms from the Viking attacks, Alfred turned to his attention to the deterioration of learning in England. Due to the fact that the Vikings had been pillaging the many monasteries, learning had gone down hill. This was due to the fact that the monasteries had been used for educational purposes. Because of the constant attacks educational standards had been diminished. Education was very important to Alfred the Great. After the attacks Alfred immediately turned his attention to the educational system and would do everything in his power to further the importance of education as well as the English language. It will be because of Alfred that English became developed as a written language replacing Latin which had been used for written purposes.

After the attacks Alfred founded a court school to educate nobles. He also encouraged the great scholars of the time to move to England so they may be a constructive influence upon England's education. It is stated by Alfred that "...if we have peace, that all the youth now in England-may be devoted to learning." He placed a huge emphasis on education and because of his insistence English became the official written language. Alfred himself translated many texts from Latin, the official language for writing before, into English such as "The History of Venerable Bede," "Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy," "Dialogues of Gregory the Great," Gregory's "Pastoral Care," and Orosius' "Soliloquies of St. Augustine."

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