Alfred's headhunting quiz

Who did Alfred write to in order to request that Grimbald, from West Francia, attend his court?

• Archbishop Fulco of Rheims

• Asser of St Davids, Dyfed

• The Pope

• Charles the Bald, King of West Francia

What gift did he send along with this letter?

• A gold and enamel aestel, worth 50 mancuses

• A pack of fine hunting dogs

• A fine sword, with jewels in the hilt

• A copy of the Bible, translated and copied

How was John from Old Saxony (East Francia) rewarded for his service?

• Made bishop of Sherborne

• Made archbishop of Canterbury

• Made abbot of Athelney

• Made his personal secretary

Select the four Mercian scholars who came to Alfred's court.

• Werwulf

• Grimbald

• Aethelstan

• Plegmund

• Werferth

Why were Mercian scholars seemingly in a better position than those anywhere else in England?

• Ceolwulf's puppet rule had protected western Mercia from the worst of the Viking raids

• The Vikings there had consistently been paid off before causing any real damage

• Most had escaped to West Francia before the Vikings had really targeted the kingdom

• The climate was better for the preservation of books

How many Irishmen came to Alfred's court?

(a)  

Name either of the two Scandinavians who joined Alfred.

(a)  

How do we know Alfred had a very strong relationship with the Pope?

• He provided top scholars for the learning programme

• A letter survives where he refers to him as his 'dearest friend'

• The English quarter in Rome paid no tax

• He sent him a gift of fine hunting dogs

What was the name of the Welsh warlord who's son caused multiple Welsh kings to submit to Alfred for protection? First name will do

(a)