Learnings: Alfred and the "English"

During his reign, Alfred promoted the idea of a common people. The "English," proud and faithful members of the Church, were distinguished from others. This distinction became clearer with the between Alfred and Guthrum in the mid-880s, which referred to an agreement between "all the English race" and "the people which is in East Anglia." In other words, Alfred was enhancing his authority by linking himself to the idea of a Christian people that was set apart from the rest.
The map shows the territorial seperation of early medieval Britain following the treaty between Alfred and Guthrum.
In RED (A): the Scandinavian-controlled area that came to be called the Danelaw.
In GREEN (B): the lands that would eventually correspond to the early English kingdom, which was formed from the union of two realms:
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Category:Discovery Tour: Viking Age