King Alfred and the Danes |
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Click on a year to read the entry in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles |
The Great Army Danish Vikings continued to raid the east and south coasts of England during the early ninth century. From AD850 the Vikings change from raiding to invading. In AD851, a Viking force stays for the winter at Thanet for the first time. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles say a force of 350 ships attacked Canterbury and London. This army was however defeated by the West Saxons. In AD865, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles record the arrival of a 'great army' of Danes. That year and the next (AD866) they took control of Kent and East Anglia. In AD867 they took York making it into Jorvik and the Danish capital in England. The following year (AD868) King Ethered and his brother Alfred came to the aid of the Mercian kingdom, but the Viking army still took control of Nottingham. The army went back to York (AD869), then in AD870 took control of Thetford and ravaged parts of Wessex. |
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Alfred Becomes King of Wessex It was not until AD871 that the Anglo-Saxons won a battle at Ashdown in Berkshire under the command of Alfred and his brother Ethered. In this same year, Alfred became King of Wessex. Alfred created a fleet of ships and in AD875 had a small victory at sea against 7 ships. He continued to win battles until AD878 when the Danes launched a surprise attack. Alfred fled, defeated and built a fort at Athelney. Alfred quickly regained his army and surrounded the Danes, who agreed to make peace. Alfred convinced the Danish leader, Guthrum, to be baptised as a Christian. Alfred continued to fight the Danes until a treaty created the Danelaw in AD886. |
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