ECS Learning Alfred

1. LI: TO ARGUE THAT KING
ALFRED WAS TRULY GREAT

2. WHY WAS ALFRED THE GREAT
CONSIDERED A HERO?
• What can you remember from our lessons that explains
why we call Alfred “The Great”?
• What did he do that had a great effect on life at the time?
• Are any of his ideas/decisions still affecting us now?

3. AMONGST OTHER THINGS, HE:
• defended England against the Vikings
• was a strong leader and brave soldier
• showed mercy as well as being bloodthirsty
• was able to convince people to follow him through his religion –
asked Vikings to convert instead of killing the & made peace
• used tactics to defeat the Vikings
• instituted the “burh” system, which we still use today – a genius
strategic move to both defend the country from raids and boost the
economy
• put the tax system in place as he realised he couldn’t pay for all of
this himself
• translated books from Latin to English so the general population
could become more educated, as well as making it law for Anglo-
Saxon citizens to attend school

4. YOUR TASK
• This statue, presented to the town
of Esher by Queen Victoria, has
been up in the centre of Esher since
1877!
• The council have decided that it
should be replaced, but not who by.
• It is your job to convince the council
that the statue should be of King
Alfred!

5. THE LITERACY BIT
• We are writing to the council, so should our letter/speech
be formal or informal?
• What are the particular features of this style of writing?
• Will you write slightly differently if you are doing a letter
or speech?

6. YOUR TASK
• Write a letter to Esher Council
arguing that King Alfred should
replace “Britannia” on this statue.
• Be sure to:
• Mention the reasons that Alfred is “great”
• Explain why these are good reasons
• Discuss why our lives today have been
affected by Alfred.
• Don’t forget to look back through
your book for examples!