“The Fate of England Rested With a 22 Year Old Boy” - Media Representations of the Youth and Childhood of King Alfred the Great

Abstract

Alfred the Great, the ninth-century King of Wessex, has been a popular subject of media representations, including scenes focused on his childhood. These representations, from paintings to contemporary Netflix series and fanfiction, have created an imagined past for Alfred that has contributed to his legendary status. This article seeks to explore the media representations of Alfred as a child, and the stories, themes, and messages conveyed in different mediums, with a special focus on 21st century online fan cultures.