alternatehistory.com

When the kings and queens of England are numbered, the Conquest is always treated as the starting point. In reality, the English monarchs of course go back to Alfred the Great. This generally doesn’t matter too much as most of the Anglo-Saxon (and Danish) kings’ names weren’t used post-conquest; confusion is thus limited. The notable exception is Edward: Edward VIII should really be Edward XI.

Anyway, for a while no-one was interested in pre-conquest England; it was part of the Dark Ages and best forgotten as a rather unpleasant episode between the Romans leaving and the Middle Ages proper. In the 19th Century there was something of a reawakening of interest in the Anglo-Saxons, but despite this, Anglo-Saxon England is still not generally accepted as being properly England, but rather, almost as a placeholder until 1066.

So, with a POD in, say, the 19th Century, is a scenario where the generally accepted history of the Kingdom of England begins with Alfred the Great plausible? No fringe nationalist rebellions rewriting the history books or the descendant of Alfred or Harold claiming the throne, but rather, an accepted shift in historic perceptions, for preference with all the Edwards being moved on three places and similar changes that at first might be difficult to get used to, but eventually everyone adapts. Would this have any significant impact on how the United Kingdom conducted itself in its affairs with other nations, or between the government and the people?

I possible thought I had in how to bring about the scenario (in a rather dramatic way) was that if both Victoria and the Prince of Wales died fairly early on, Prince Alfred would become king. Given that there is already a very well known and well regarded King Alfred in the general public consciousness, maybe it would be decided to crown him as King Alfred II, and other changes, and an even greater interest in Anglo-Saxon England, flow on from there.

Thoughts about the plausibility of that scenario or other ways to achieve a similar aim?
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