His biographer Asser records that he first came to prominence in the service of Burgred and married Burgred's niece Ealhswith (eels-with).  
His biographer Asser records that he first came to prominence in the service of Burgred and married Burgred's niece Ealhswith (eels-with).  His military success derived largely from a defense line of earth forts known as burhs and his decision to force citizens of adequate wealth to join the thegn (thain), a mounted infantry class.  He defeated the Danes at Edington in 877 and translated religious works like St. Gregory's Pastoral Care and Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy.  For 10 points - name this Anglo-Saxon king who kept the Danes at bay and sponsored scholarly works like the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
His biographer Asser records that he first came to prominence in the service of Burgred and married Burgred's niece Ealhswith (eels-with).  
Alfred the Great