Who is credited with defeating the Vikings?

Alright, let's talk about Alfred the Great and his role in shaping England. The Vikings, those seafaring warriors from Scandinavia, were a major force in the 9th century, raiding and settling across Britain. Several kingdoms struggled against them, but Alfred, who ruled the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex from 871 to 899, really turned the tide. He famously fought them off, most notably at the Battle of Edington in 878. After this victory, he negotiated a treaty that divided England, with the Vikings controlling the Danelaw in the north and east. Alfred's Wessex remained independent, becoming the foundation for a unified England later on. He also reformed the legal system, promoted education, and commissioned translations of important works into English. So, while other kings certainly dealt with the Vikings, it was Alfred's leadership and military successes that are most credited with stopping their complete takeover of England. That's why he's remembered as "the Great."