The Danes moved south into the Wessex area and captured Reading.
871
Qtr 1
Battle of Ashdown
Athelred and Alfred defeated the Danes at Ashdown.
Qtr 2
More Danes arrive in Britain
Another army of Danes landed in London and were joined by those at Reading. The army defeated Alfred at Wilton and so the king decided to pay the Danes some money to keep the peace.
872
Ivar the Boneless dies
Ivar 'the Boneless', the king of Dublin died. He was succeeded by his brother Halfdan.
875
Danes move against the north.
Led by Halfdan the Danes moved north to attack the Picts and the area of Strathclyde. The Danes divided Northumbria taking York for themselves and creating the area known as Danelaw. A second Danish King called Guthrum took his army back south to Cambridge where he prepared plans to attack Wessex.
876
Danes defeated in the south
Led by Guthrum, an army of Danes moved to Wareham in Dorset where they were met by a new army from the sea who landed at Poole. Alfred trapped the army and demanded hostages in return for a peaceful settlement. The Danes divided, half fleeing to Exeter where they besieged the town while the other half escaped in their ships but were drowned in heavy seas. Those at Exeter were forced to surrender and were moved up to Gloucester.
878
Jan
The Danes take the advantage
After Exeter. Alfred was hoping that trouble with the Danes was over, but again led by Guthrum, an army headed for Alfred at his Chippenham residence. Alfred fled under overwelming odds leaving Chippenham in the hands of the Danes.
Apr
Battle of Edington
Alfred called for his men to form an army and attack the Danes. He ordered the army to meet at a location known as Egbert's Stone and seven weeks after Easter an army was formed. Once formed the army quickly moved towards Guthrum and the Danes and the two armies met at Edington. The battle at Edington was won by Alfred and the Danes retreated to Chippenham. The Danes were surrounded and surrendered. Guthrum along with several other high ranking members of the Danish army were converted to Chistianity under Alfred's sponsorship. Guthrum and Alfred agreed on peace terms and the Danes returned to their holdings in East Anglia known as the Danelaw.
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People who played important roles in this time period
Athelred (King of Wessex 866-871) The fourth (or third) son of Athelwulf King of Wessex 839-858. Athelred became king of Wessex in 865/866 when his elder brother Athelbert died. Athelred had to contend with the largest invasion of Danes so far. In 865 Danes landed in East Anglia with a huge force of men. This army of Danes is known (more...)
Guthrum (King of the Danes -890) As leader of the Danes, Guthrum invaded Britain. Guthrum was defeated by Alfred at Exeter and signed a peace treaty, but Guthrum attacked Wessex and drove Alfred from power in 878. Alfred rebuilt his army and defeated Guthrum at the Battle of Edington. Alfred converted Guthrum to Christianity and ga (more...)
878 Apr - Battle of Edington Alfred called for his men to form an army and attack the Danes. He ordered the army to meet at a location known as Egbert's Stone and seven weeks after Easter an army was formed. Once formed the army quickly moved towards Guthrum and the Danes and the two armies met at Edington. The battle at Edington was won by Alfred and the Danes retreated to Chippenham. The Danes were surrounded and surrendered. Guthrum along with several other high ranking members of the Danish army were converted to Chistianity under Alfred's sponsorship. Guthrum and Alfred agreed on peace terms and the Danes returned to their holdings in East Anglia known as the Danelaw.
