Alfred the Great: Asser's Life of King Alfred and Other Contemporary Sources
Simon Keynes & Michael Lapidge
The essential primary-source collection for understanding Alfred, still the scholarly starting point.
The World During Their Reign
The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.
Guy III of Spoleto
Holy Roman Empire
889–894
Lambert II of Spoleto
Holy Roman Empire
894–898
Charles the Bald
Holy Roman Empire
875–877
Emperor Xizong of Tang
China
873–888
Basil I
Rome
871–886
Leo VI the Wise
Rome
886–899
Emperor Zhaozong of Tang
China
888–899
Giric
Scotland
878–889
Donald II of Scotland
Scotland
889–899
Emperor Uda
Japan
887–897
Pope John VIII
Papacy
872–882
Eochaid ab Rhun
Scotland
878–889
Emperor Yōzei
Japan
876–884
Causantín mac Cináeda
Scotland
871–877
Huang Chao
China
881–884
Emperor Seiwa
Japan
871–876
Pope Stephen V
Papacy
885–891
Emperor Yizong of Tang
China
871–873
Pope Formosus
Papacy
891–896
Emperor Kōkō
Japan
884–887
Emperor Daigo
Japan
897–899
Pope Adrian II
Papacy
871–872
Pope John IX
Papacy
898–899
Pope Marinus I
Papacy
882–884
Meanwhile in history
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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Further Reading
Well-regarded biographies and histories to go deeper on Alfred the Great's life and times.
Alfred the Great: The Man Who Made England
Justin Pollard
A readable modern biography that places Alfred's military and cultural reforms in context.
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