The Will of King Alfred of Wessex
Overview
King Alfred the Great is one of the most notable and celebrated monarchs in English history. His reign, which lasted from 871 to 899, was marked by a series of military victories against the Vikings, as well as a number of significant cultural and legal reforms. One of the key documents associated with King Alfred is his Will, which has survived to the present day and provides valuable insights into the monarch’s character and beliefs.
Historical Context
King Alfred’s Will was written in the late 880s, towards the end of his reign. By this time, Alfred had already established himself as a highly effective military leader, having defeated the Vikings in a number of battles and secured his kingdom’s borders. He was also deeply committed to education and learning, having founded a number of schools and encouraged the translation of key works of literature into English. At the same time, however, Alfred was concerned about the future of his kingdom and the possibility that it might fall back into chaos or be overrun by foreign invaders. The Will can be seen as a reflection of these concerns, as well as an attempt to ensure that his legacy would be preserved after his death.
The document is found in the Liber de Hyda, or Liber Monsterii de Hyda, which is a chronicle of the foundation of Britain up until King Cnut (994-1035). King Alfred’s Will is found in the appendix along with the will of King Eadred – Alfred’s grandson. This copy was written during the 15th century at Hyde Abbey in Winchester, but an earlier copy is also found in the Liber Vitae, dating from the 11th century. The Liber de Hyda copy is written in Latin, Old English, and Middle English.
Contents
The Will of King Alfred is a relatively short document, consisting of just a few hundred words. It begins with a statement of faith and a request for prayers for the monarch’s soul. It then goes on to lay out a series of bequests and instructions for the disposition of the king’s property. Among other things, Alfred bequeaths lands and estates to his wife and his children, as well as to his key supporters and advisors. He also directs that certain sums of money be donated to various churches and monasteries, and makes provisions for the care of his servants and retainers.
Will of Alfred the Great from the Liber Vitae
Significance
The Will of King Alfred has been the subject of significant scholarly debate over the years. Some historians have argued that it was primarily a legal document, designed to ensure the smooth transfer of power after Alfred’s death. Others, however, have emphasized its cultural and intellectual significance, seeing it as a reflection of the monarch’s deep commitment to education and learning. Regardless of its specific intent, the Will provides valuable insights into the mindset of one of the most significant monarchs in English history. It reveals a man who was deeply concerned about the future of his kingdom and who believed that education and learning were essential tools in preserving its stability and prosperity.
§ 1. I, Alfred, King, with God’s grace, and with the advice of archbishop Ethelred, and the knowledge of all the West-Saxon nobles, have taken thought about the needs of my soul, and about the heritage which God and my forefathers gave me, and about that inheritance which King Aethelwulf, my Father, bequeathed to us three brothers, to Ethelbald, to Ethelred, and to me, and willed that whichsoever of us three should longest live should take to all of it.
§ 2. But it happened that Ethelbald died; then we two, Ethelred and I, with the knowledge of all the West-Saxon nobles, did give our share in trust to King Ethelbert, our brother, on the condition that he should again convey it to us, as unlimited as it was when we made it over to him. And this he did, both by that inheritance, and by that which he had acquired with our joint help, and by that which he had himself acquired.
§ 3. Then, when it happened that Ethelred succeeded, I prayed him, before all our nobles, that we two might share the inheritance, he giving to me my part. Then he said to me that he could not easily divide it, because he had very often exercised rights of lordship. And he spoke [further,] concerning that which he held conjointly, and [that which he] had acquired, that he would give it [all], after his death, to no man other than to me. And I at that time was therewith well satisfied.
§ 4. But it happened that we were all troubled by the heathen folk [i.e., the Danes]. Then he and I spoke about our children, that they would need some maintenance, whatsoever might happen to us, in those troubles. At that time we were at a meeting of the magnates, at Swinburgh, where we two declared, with the knowledge of the West-Saxon nobles, that which of us soever should longest live should give to the children of the other those lands that we ourselves had acquired, and those lands that King Aethelwulf gave to us two while Ethelbald was living; except those which he bequeathed to us three brethren [in succession]. And for this each of us gave pledge to the other that whichsoever of us should be survivor should take both land and personalty, and the whole estate; that part excepted which either of us had bequeathed to his children.
§ 5. When it happened that King Ethelred died, no man made known to me any title – deed, nor any evidence [whatever], that it was otherwise than as we had previously agreed before witness. Nevertheless, I heard of many disputes about inheritance. I therefore brought King Aethelwulf’s Will into our council at Langden, and it was read before all the West-Saxon nobles. When it had been read, I prayed them all for my love — and I gave them my promise that I would accuse none of them for aught he should think it right to say – not to blench (either for love of me or for fear) from declaring the folkright; lest any man should say [thereafter,] that I, had wronged my kinsfolk, whether elder or younger. And they all there pronounced and declared that they could not conceive of a more rightful title, nor hear of any other title – deed. ” Now ” [said they] “thou hast it all in thy hand. Thou mayst give or bequeath it,” to relative or to stranger, just as it pleaseth thee. “And they all gave me their pledge and their hand-setting that, during their lives, no man should ever divert it any – otherwise than as I myself should give it at my last day [i.e., “at my death.”]
I, Alfred, King of the West-Saxons, by God’s grace, and by means of this testimony, declare how I will [dispose] concerning my estates, after my day.
First, I give to Edward, my eldest son, the land at Stratton, in Cornwall, and Hardington, and all the deed – conveyed lands that Leofheah holds, and the lands at Carhampton [in Somersetshire], and at Chilhampton [in Wiltshire], and at Burnham and at Wedmore [both in Somersetshire]. And I make my request to the families at Chedder [in Somersetshire] that they would choose him [to be their lord] conformably with the stipulations that we formerly agreed to; with the land of Chewton [also in Somersetshire], and that which thereto pertaineth. And I also give to him the land at Quantock [in Somersetshire], and at Bedwin [in Wiltshire], and at Pewsey [in Wiltshire], and at Hurstbourne [in Hampshire], and at Sutton, and at Leatherhead, and at Alton.
§ 2. And all the deed – conveyed land that I have in Kent, and at Down Hurstbourne [or Hurstbourne Tarrant, in Hampshire], and at Chisledon [in Wiltshire], let it be given to Winchester, on the stipulations that my father formerly made; and my separate property at Lower Hurstbourne which I gave in trust to Ecgulf.
§ 3. And to my younger son [I give] the land at Adrington [in Somersetshire], and that at Dene, and at Meon [East and West Meon, in Hampshire], and at Amesbury [in Wiltshire], and at Downe, and at Sturminster [in Somersetshire], and in Gidley, and at Crewkerne [in Somersetshire], and at Whitchurch, and at Axmouth, and at Branscombe, and at Collumpton [all in Devonshire], and at Twyford [in Hampshire], and at Milbourne, and at Exminster, and at Southworth, and at Lytton and the lands that thereto appertain, which are all that I have in the western parts, Cornwall excepted.
§ 4. And to my eldest daughter [Ethelfleda, “Lady of the Mercians,”] the vill at Wellow [in Hampshire].
§ 5. And to the middlemost [Ethelgiva, abbess of Shaftesbury, that] at Clare and at Candover [both in Hampshire].
§ 6. And to the youngest [Ethelfrida, wife of Baldwin II, earl of Flanders,] the vills of Willey, Ashton, and Chippenham [all in Wiltshire].
§ 7. And to Ethelm, my brother’s [Ethelbert] son, the vill at Aldingbourne [in Sussex], and that at Compton, and that at Crundal [in Hampshire], and at Beeding [in Sussex], and at Beadingham and at Barnham [in Sussex], and at Thunderfield, and at Eashing [both in Surrey].
§ 8. And to Ethelwold, my brother’s [Ethelbert] son the vill at Godalming, and that at Guildford, [both in Surrey,] and that at Steyning [in Sussex].
§ 9. And to Osferth, my cousin, the vill at Beckley, and that at Rotherfield, and that at Ditcheling, and that at Sutton, and that at Leominster and that at Angmering, and that at Felpham [all in Sussex,] and the lands that thereto appertain.
§ 10. And to Ealswyth [Alfred’s wife] the vill at Lambourne, and that at Wantage, [both in Berkshire,] and that at Edington [in Wiltshire].
§ 11. And to my two sons one thousand pounds, – to each five hundred pounds.
§ 12. And to my eldest daughter, and to the middlemost, and to the youngest, and to Ealswyth, — to them four, four hundred pounds, – to each, one hundred pounds.
§ 13. And to each of my aldermen one hundred mancuses; and to Ethelm, and to Ethelwold, and to Osferth the like.
§ 14. And to Ethelred the alderman, a sword of an hundred mancuses [in value].
§ 15. And to the men that follow me, to whom I have given wages at Eastertide, two hundred pounds. Let it be given to them, and be divided among them, – to each as shall seem to belong to him, – after the way in which I [am wont now to] distribute to them.
§ 16. And to the archbishop [Ethelred, archbishop of Canterbury], one hundred mancuses; and to Esne, bishop [of Hereford], and to Werefrith, bishop of Worcester], and to the bishop at Sherborne [i.e. to Asser] the like.
§ 17. Also, let them distribute, for me, and for my Father, and for the friends that he interceded for, and that I intercede for, two hundred pounds; – fifty to mass – priests throughout all my kingdom; fifty to poor servants of God; fifty to distressed poor; fifty to the church where I shall rest. And I do not know certainly whether there be so much money; neither know I but that there may be more. But so [much] I believe. If there be more, be it [given] in common to all of them to whom I have bequeathed money. And I will that my aldermen and my thanes meet together and thus distribute it.
§ 18. When, formerly, I in another wise disposed in writing of my inheritance, I had more estate and more kinsmen; and I had intrusted to several men the writings, which before like witnesses were written. But I have now burned such of those old writings as I could hear of. If any other of these deeds should be found, let it stand for nothing. For now I will that all be thus [disposed,] by God’s help.
§ 19. And I will that those who hold lands shall observe the stipulations of my Father’s Testament as soon as they can.
§ 20. And if I have left money unpaid to any man, I will that my relatives in all cases pay it.
§ 21. And I will that those to whom I have given my freehold land shall not let it go, after their own lifetime, away from my kindred. But if it so be that they have no children, it shall go to my nearest of kin. And I especially desire that it remain in the male line so long as I have any [male descendant] that shall be found worthy of it. My grandfather bequeathed his land to the spear-side, and not to the spindle-side. If, therefore, I have bestowed any possession of his upon a woman, my kinsmen may redeem it, if they will, while she is yet living; but if not, let it be dealt with as we have before determined. If they take it, it must be paid for; because those are my heirs to whom I give what I may give, either to the male side or to the female side, as I will.
§ 22. And I beseech, in God’s name, and by his Saints, that none of my kinsmen or of my heirs do obstruct the freedom of any of those whom I have redeemed, [whether personal dependants or optional tenants of the soil]. The West-Saxon nobles have recognised my right to leave such persons bond or free, as I will. But for the love of God, and for the profit of my soul, I will that they be the masters. of their freedom, and of their choice. And I adjure in the name of the living God, that no man disturb them, or exact money of them, or in any way obstruct their choice of such man [for their lord] as they please.
§ 23. And I will that their title – deeds be restored to the Community at Damerham, and that they have full liberty to make such choice [of their lord] as they shall please; for me, and for Ethelfleda, and for the friends for whom she interceded and for whom I intercede.
§ 24. And let my soul’s health be sought for, with a living price, [meaning, probably, “by a redemption” of prisoners or of serfs,” as a posthumous act of mercy or almsgiving,] as it should be, and as is befitting; and as ye shall be disposed to give for me.
Related Topics
Further Research & References
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=1SUJAAAAIAAJ&pg=GBS.PA326&hl=en&q=alfred
Alfred the Great. The Will of King Alfred. Translated by Simon Keynes and Michael Lapidge. New York: Penguin, 2004.
Keynes, Simon. “King Alfred and the Will.” In Alfred the Great: Asser’s Life of King Alfred and Other Contemporary Sources, edited by Simon Keynes and Michael Lapidge, 170-179. London: Penguin, 1983.
Pratt, David. “Alfred’s Will and the Writings of King Alfred.” Anglo-Saxon England 24 (1995): 225-241.
Stenton, Frank. Anglo-Saxon England. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1971.
Photos:
Odejea, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. [cropped]