# Alfred becomes king of Wessex (871)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/871-alfred-becomes-king-of-wessex
Categories: ruler-change, main-event

Alfred succeeded his brother Æthelred during intense war with Viking armies. Within the broader Vikings & Unification period, Scandinavian invasion and settlement transformed the political map while Wessex and its allies built the institutions of a unified English kingdom. This event is placed at AD 871 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. His reign became decisive for the survival and later expansion of Wessex.

## Why it matters
His reign became decisive for the survival and later expansion of Wessex.

Ruler at the time: [Alfred the Great](https://english-history.com/rulers/alfred-the-great)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Alfred becomes king of Wessex](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Alfred+becomes+king+of+Wessex&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Alfred becomes king of Wessex](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Alfred+becomes+king+of+Wessex)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%28before_1000%29)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica — Viking Britain topic search](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Viking%20Britain)