Few kings in English history deserve the title “great” more than Alfred, King of Wessex. In an age and country devestated by Viking invasions, Alfred inflicted a major defeat upon the Norseman at Edington in 878 A.D. and set about conquering the Danelaw territory to secure the unity of England. The great king also organized his forces into a standing army and built a navy. However, Alfred was not only a fine warrior and a natural leader; he was also a lawmaker and a scholar, working to improve the kingdom’s laws as well as encouraging the further education of his people. This fascinating program includes: all new location footage, re-creations and reconstructions, commentary and analyses from leading authorities, art historians, and scholars.