Alfred is considered to be the father of the Royal Navy. Even with this statement, which was given to him during Victorian times, is somewhat misleading. Although he ordered the building of a dozen long ships, there had been a standing fleet in Wessex prior to that. What has been said about him is his ships were larger, but swifter, steadier, and rode higher in the water than either Danish or Frisian ships.

His name Alfred comes from Old English: Ælfrēd, Ælfrǣd, "elf advice". He was born around 849 and died 26 October 899 or 901. He was king of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex from 871 to 899. Alfred is noted for his defense of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of southern England against the Vikings. In doing so he became the only English king to be given the title "the Great”. Alfred was the first King of the West Saxons to style himself "King of the Anglo-Saxons". Details of his life are described in a work by the Welsh scholar and Bishop, Asser. Alfred was a learned man who encouraged education and improved his kingdom's legal system and military structure.

It is felt the through his education Alfred had learned of the Roman and Greek navies, their ships, and their tactics. Although his ships were superior in many way to those of his enemies their size was also a hindrance to their performance. Naval battles at the time were mostly fought in close waters of estuaries and rivers. They were made to carry troops who would board other ships and fight at close quarters.

Alfred is considered to be the father of the Royal Navy mostly due to the fact he saw a Navy as an extension of his Army. He exploited its importance and was able to benefit from its use. Not only this but many reforms he put in place all over the country are seen as the foundation to creation of England as a whole.