Page 26 - Alfred the Great And His Legacy

Reason Four – Improving Literacy And Promoting

Learning

• The Viking attacks had badly damaged the

monasteries, the centres of literacy & learning.

• Alfred founded new monasteries at Athelney &

Shaftesbury; & enticed learned monks from Wales &

Europe to join them.

• To improve low levels of literacy & education, Alfred

proposed that primary education was taught in

English, with those wishing to advance into holy

orders to continue their studies in Latin.

• The arts flourished under Alfred, as exemplified by

intricate Anglo-Saxon brooches, like the Fuller brooch.