Alfred the Great (849-899) became King of the English kingdom of Wessex in 871 at a time when Viking raids were tearing into Britain and western Europe. In 878 a Viking invasion caused Alfred to become a fugitive, fleeing into the marshes to the island of Athelney for safety. Later that year he mustered his army and crushed the Vikings at the Battle of Edington. In 886 he captured London and forced the Vikings to agree to divided England. He then built a series of fortified towns across his kingdom, marched to assist the Mercians against the Vikings and put a great deal of effort into improving education in England. His successors became Kings of all England and the British Queen Elizabeth II is a direct descendant.
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