Alfred the Great

Alfred, whose name literally translates to "elf-counsel," is the only English monarch to still be known by the appellation of "the Great."  He was born the fourth son of King Aethelwulf of Wessex, and only became king himself after his three older brothers perished in quick succession.  Alfred was responsible for fending off the Vikings--primarily Danes--that were threatening to overrun the Anglo-Saxon population.  Alfred's success was primarily possible because he led a mostly united England rather than one that, as had been the case in the past, was fragmented into multiple regions.  After ensuring the safety of England from Norse marauders, Alfred turned his attention toward projects to rebuild and restore much of the ravaged countryside, including London, and instituted a codified legal reform based on his Doom Book.  Much of what is currently known about Alfred comes from the writings of the Welsh bishop Asser.