Having subdued the Viking threat, Alfred was given some valuable breathing space between fighting in which he could look to the future and bring new security to the Kingdom. Firstly, he reformed the military creating a single standing army which he would organise in such a way that half the men were always ready at arms while the rest could remain and farm the land. This ensured that Wessex could react to threats immediately, while also continuously working lands to prevent a drop in productivity. The newly reformed army would man a series of Burhs which were fortified market towns across Wessex becoming great economic and military footholds. Winchester was one of the largest of these Burhs and would use the remaining Roman walls as another layer of protection.
The constant raiding had led to the destruction of countless monasteries and the deaths of many learned men which had an impact on the education of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Alfred sought to amend this and increase the education of his kingdom and his peoples by inviting the most educated men in his kingdom to his court, this resulted in what became known as the Alfredian Renaissance. Various texts were written and translated with a new emphasis on the use of the English language over Latin, meaning more people had access to these educational texts. The law code was one of the most notable documents that was written in English ensuring all could understand the laws of the kingdom. These educational reforms not only prevented the abuse of a legal code but also further increased the education and, in turn, the development of the kingdoms populous.
Asser was a Welsh monk and one of the most educated individuals called to Alfred's court. Asser wrote much praising his King’s reign and even documented the life of Alfred in which he claimed Alfred was a compassionate and responsible king, the ruler of all Christians living on the Isle of Britain. Alfred would also begin to portray himself as not simply the king of Wessex, but the king of the Saxons too, laying down the foundations for the eventual Kingdom of England. Perhaps this is what made Alfred so great, not simply his handling of current crisis, but his vision for the future as well. Without the foundations laid down by Alfred, his grandson Aethelstan may not have been crowned the first king of a united Anglo-Saxon England. If it wasn't for his vision for the Anglo-Saxons in England, it may never have been united under Aethelstan. While he may not have been the first king of England, he was the first to plant the foundations.
