Editing Alfred the Great (section)

== Foreign relations ==
Asser speaks grandiosely of Alfred's relations with foreign powers but little definite information is available.{{Sfn|Plummer|1911|p=583}} His interest in foreign countries is shown by the insertions which he made in his translation of [[Orosius]]. He corresponded with [[Elias III of Jerusalem|Elias III]], the [[Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem|patriarch of Jerusalem]],{{Sfn|Plummer|1911|p=583}} and embassies to Rome conveying the English alms to the pope were fairly frequent.{{Sfn|Keynes|Lapidge|1983|p=14}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Caitlin R |date=2019-06-26 |title=Did England’s King Alfred the Great send two envoys to Christian shrines in India in 9th century? |url=https://scroll.in/magazine/922186/did-king-alfred-the-great-send-two-envoys-to-christian-shrines-in-india-in-9th-century |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.caitlingreen.org/2019/04/king-alfred-and-india.html |archive-date=2019-04-30 |website=Scroll.in}}</ref>{{Efn|Some versions of the ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'' reported that Alfred sent a delegation to India, although this could just mean western Asia, as other versions say "[[Iudea]]".{{Sfn|Abels|1998|pp=190–192}} However, see {{Sfnlink|Green|2019}} which evidences rich links between Early Medieval Europe and India.}} Around 890, [[Wulfstan of Hedeby]] undertook a journey from [[Hedeby]] on [[Jutland]] along the Baltic Sea to the Prussian trading town of [[Truso]]. Alfred personally collected details of this trip.{{Sfn|Orosius|Hampson|1855|p=16}}

Alfred's relations with the Celtic princes in the western half of Great Britain are clearer. Comparatively early in his reign, according to Asser, the [[South Wales|southern Welsh]] princes, owing to the pressure on them from [[North Wales]] and Mercia, commended themselves to Alfred. Later in his reign, the [[North Wales|North Welsh]] followed their example and the latter cooperated with the English in the campaign of 893 (or 894). That Alfred sent alms to Irish and Continental monasteries may be taken on Asser's authority. The visit of three pilgrim "[[Scottish Gaelic|Scots]]" (''i.e.'', [[Early medieval Ireland|Irish]]) to Alfred in 891 is undoubtedly authentic. The story that, in his childhood, he was sent to Ireland to be healed by Saint [[Modwenna]] may show Alfred's interest in that island.{{Sfn|Plummer|1911|p=583}}