HE is considered the first ever King of England and known as a great warrior as well as a social reformer.

King Alfred the Great - or King of Wessex - built towns and promoted education by starting schools and translating texts from Latin. He became ruler of the West Saxons after he and his brother Ethelred defeated the Danes in the Battle of Ashdown in Berkshire.

In a series of further battles Alfred refused to surrender to the Danes and by 886 had freed London from Danish occupation by finally beating the Vikings.

King Alfred created a system of laws, brought education to his people and founded the Navy. He set about strengthening old forts and building new ones and ensured his army was well organised.

He ruled his kingdom from his royal residence in Winchester - the city he chose as England's capital.

Today Alfred's famous bronze statue - erected in 1901 to mark the millennium of his death - still stands guard over Winchester High Street. The Great Hall is all that is left of his castle, which remained the main residence for Kings of England long after the country's capital moved to London.

King Alfred was buried in Hyde Abbey, Winchester, but his grave was thought to be lost forever when the church was destroyed in the 16th century.

However, archaeologists uncovered some of the medieval church in 1999, including what they believe to be the graves of Alfred, his wife and son.

Name: King Alfred Occupation: King of England Date of birth: 849 died: October 26, 899 LOCAL LINK: Ruled his kingdom from Winchester, the ancient capital of England.