The Saxon king, Alfred the Great of Wessex, reined from 871 aged 23, fighting off relentless Viking invasions until finally capturing London in 886 and becoming King of all England. Revered as both a warrior and a wise scholar, he ruled until his death in 899. Noted for his revival of schools and monasteries, he was fluent in Latin, Old English and Saxon Futhark Runic, and wrote and translated many great works by his own hand.