King Alfred was famous for defending the kingdom against Viking invasion, but Alfred also strove to rebuild learning and education among the English - to restore both their "wealth and wisdom".
This year is a particularly important anniversary as we're about to enjoy a new opera about King Alfred's daughter, Æthelflæd.
King Alfred's daughter Æthelflæd was born around 870, the oldest child of King Alfred the Great and his Mercian wife, Ealhswith. History has all but erased Æthelflæds legacy, something we hope the new opera will put right.