He was kept near to his father and mother, and closely under their influence, until his mother died, which event, however, took place when he was quite young.
After this, Ethelwolf sent Alfred to Rome.

Rome was still more the great center then than it is now of religion and learning.

There were schools there, maintained by the various nations of Europe respectively, for the education of the sons of the nobility.

Alfred, however, did not go for this purpose.

It was only to make the journey, to see the city, to be introduced to the pope, and to be presented, by means of the fame of the expedition, to the notice of Europe, as the future sovereign of England; for it was Ethelwolf's intention, at this time, to pass over his older sons, and make this Benjamin his successor on the throne.
The journey was made with great pomp and parade.