The Resistance: Alfred and the Danelaw · Spring Term

Alfred the Scholar

Looking at Alfred's efforts to promote literacy and translate Latin texts into Old English.

About This Topic

Alfred the Great is the only English monarch to be called 'the Great', and much of this reputation comes from his work as a scholar rather than a soldier. He believed that the Viking raids were a punishment for the English people losing their 'wisdom' and literacy. This topic explores his ambitious project to translate important Latin books into Old English so that more people could read them, and his creation of schools for the children of his nobles.

For Year 5 students, this is a vital lesson in the power of education and national identity. They learn about the 'Alfred Jewel' and the 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle', a year-by-year record of English history that Alfred started. This connects to National Curriculum targets for significant individuals and the development of the English language. This topic comes alive when students can try their hand at translating simple phrases or creating their own 'Chronicle' entries for the modern day.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze Alfred the Great's motivations for promoting literacy and translation of Latin texts into Old English.
• Explain the role of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in fostering a sense of English national identity.
• Evaluate the significance of Alfred's educational reforms for the nobility.
• Compare the importance Alfred placed on 'wisdom' versus military strength.
• Create a short written piece in the style of an Anglo-Saxon Chronicle entry.

Before You Start

Introduction to Anglo-Saxon England

Why: Students need a basic understanding of the historical period and the presence of Anglo-Saxons before learning about Alfred's specific contributions.

Life in the Viking Age

Why: Context about the Viking raids is necessary to understand the challenges Alfred faced and his motivations for strengthening his kingdom.

Key Vocabulary

Old English	The language spoken in England from roughly the 5th to the 12th century, the precursor to modern English.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle	A collection of annals recording the history of the Anglo-Saxons, which Alfred the Great initiated as a national record.
Literacy	The ability to read and write, which Alfred believed was essential for the strength and wisdom of his kingdom.
Translation	The process of converting written works from one language into another, a key part of Alfred's plan to make knowledge accessible.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Alfred Jewel

Show students a high-quality image of the Alfred Jewel. They must work in groups to answer: What is it made of? What does the inscription 'Alfred ordered me to be made' tell us? What was its purpose (an 'aestel' or pointer for reading)? They then design their own 'reading jewel' for a book they love.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: Why write in English?

In Alfred's time, all 'important' books were in Latin, which very few people could read. Students think about why Alfred chose to translate them into English, discuss with a partner (e.g., to reach more people, to make people proud of their language), and then share their ideas with the class.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Stations Rotation: The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

Set up stations with different 'years' from the Chronicle (e.g., AD 793, AD 878). Students must read the short entry and draw a quick 'news sketch' for each one. By the end, they have a visual timeline of the Viking Age as seen through Anglo-Saxon eyes.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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Real-World Connections

Librarians and archivists today work to preserve and make accessible historical documents, similar to Alfred's goal of translating important texts for wider readership.

The creation of national museums and historical societies, like the British Museum, aims to collect and display artifacts and records that build a shared national identity, echoing the purpose of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Alfred wrote the whole Anglo-Saxon Chronicle himself.

What to Teach Instead

He started the project and ordered monks in different monasteries to keep the records. This is why there are different versions of the Chronicle today! Peer discussion about 'who writes history' helps students understand that the Chronicle was a piece of government 'PR' as well as a history book.

Common Misconception

People in the 9th century didn't care about books.

What to Teach Instead

Books were incredibly valuable, one book could cost as much as a small farm! Alfred's effort to make them more common shows how much he valued 'brain power' as well as 'sword power'. A 'value comparison' activity (book vs. cow vs. sword) helps students understand this.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'If you were Alfred, would you have prioritized building more defenses or establishing more schools? Why?' Guide students to justify their choices by referencing Alfred's belief that 'wisdom' was crucial for his kingdom's survival.

Quick Check

Provide students with a short, simplified Latin phrase (e.g., 'Rex Alfredus'). Ask them to explain in writing why Alfred would have wanted this translated into Old English and for whom.

Exit Ticket

On an exit ticket, ask students to write one sentence explaining the main purpose of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and one sentence describing what Alfred did to promote learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the 'Alfred Jewel'?

It is a beautiful piece of jewellery made of gold, enamel, and rock crystal. It has an inscription that says 'Alfred ordered me to be made'. Historians believe it was the handle of an 'aestel', a pointer used by people to follow the lines of text as they read one of the books Alfred had sent to them.

Why did Alfred start the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle?

He wanted to create a shared history for all English people to make them feel like one nation. By recording the victories of the West Saxons and the struggles against the Vikings, he helped create a sense of 'Englishness' that hadn't really existed before. It is our most important source for this period of history.

How can active learning help students understand Alfred the Scholar?

Active learning, like the 'Chronicle' station rotation, helps students see that history is a 'living' thing that people choose to record. By creating their own entries, they understand the power of the written word to shape how people in the future think about us. It turns Alfred from a 'statue' into a real person with a vision for his country.

Did Alfred go to school?

As a child, Alfred didn't have a formal school, but he loved poetry. His mother famously promised a beautiful book of poems to whichever of her sons could learn it first, and Alfred won! Later in life, he taught himself Latin so he could translate books himself, showing that you are never too old to learn.