Winchester - The City of King Alfred the Great

Born around 848AD, King Alfred the Great is now revered as one of England’s greatest kings. He fought off viking invaders, pushed for a united kingdom, and, rather more famously, burnt the cakes. His capital was here in Winchester. Rebuilding it in around 871, Alfred formed Winchester into a prosperous and powerful city, having to build two new churches to support its growing population.

Winchester became a hub of art and learning, the most powerful city in England, and the seat of Alfred’s rule. Alfred would die before the second of those two churches was finished building. But he had successfully defended Wessex from the Viking onslaught, leaving the defence of England up to his children: Aethelflaed and Edward.