He is not that obscure.
Alfred the Great reformed the law codes, established standing military forts, designed ships (though supposedly not of great seafaring quality), supported education, and even spent his time writing and translating works.
In regards to Machiavelli it is important to bear this in mind: there is debate as to how serious Machiavelli was when writing
The Prince. I have heard a number of interpretations suggesting that it is a work of satire. Machiavelli was a republican who was previously in a position of power before the Medici Prince assumed power and exiled the republicans. So it is questionable how "practical" his advice in the Prince actually is.