Portal:England
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England is a country in northwest Europe and is the largest and most populous constituent country of the United Kingdom accounting for more than 83% of the total UK population. It occupies most of the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and shares land borders with Scotland to the north and with Wales to the west.
England has not had a formal government and constitution since the Act of Union of 1707, under which the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland were united, and formed the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Traditionally, London is England's capital city, and is also the capital city of the whole United Kingdom. The flag of England is the cross of St George, who is also England's patron saint and St George's Day, which falls on the 23 April is traditionally England's national day.
English people have made significant contributions to the arts and sciences.
Alfred was born sometime between 847 and AD 849 at Wantage in Berkshire (alterations to county borders in 1974 mean that Wantage is now part of Oxfordshire), the fourth son of King Ethelwulf of Wessex (Æþelwulf), most likely by his first wife, Osburh. He succeeded his brother, Ethelred I (Æþelræd I), as King of Wessex and Mercia in 871.
He seems to have been a child of singular attractiveness and promise, and tales of his boyhood were remembered. At five years old, in 853, he is said to have been sent to Rome, where he was confirmed by Pope Leo IV, who is also said to have "anointed him as king." Later writers took this as an anticipatory crowning in preparation for his ultimate succession to the throne of Wessex. That, however, could not have been foreseen in 853, as Alfred had three elder brothers living. It is likely to be understood either of investiture with the consular insignia or possibly with some titular royalty such as that of the under-kingdom of Kent.
This tale is likely apocryphal, though in 854–855 Alfred almost certainly did go with his father on a pilgrimage to Rome, spending some time at the court of Charles the Bald, King of the Franks. In 858, Ethelwulf died.
Typical Lake District scene, with verdant fields grazed by sheep in fields bounded by stone walls, a stone barn, and white-washed houses, overlooked by a bracken-brown fell. This is just off the A593 road on the climb from Torver heading towards Broughton in Furness.
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