Alfred the Great

The New Attack

The Vikings started their new attack on "Twelfth Night"(the twelfth day of Christmas) in 878. They knew that on religious festivals, the Saxon army would not be keeping good watch. Most of the fighting men were home with their families. King Guthrum, the Viking leader, he rode south in the snow and attacked Chippenham. King Alfred may have been feasting their as the Vikings attacked: they may have been trying to capture him to end the war before it had begun. Alfred was not captured, but one of his important bases was in Viking hands.

Once their new base was safe, the Vikings struck south. They passed thorough Hampshire, with the ordinary Saxon people fleeing in front of them. There was no chance for Alfred to gather his army together. The Vikings were in control of Wessex. All that the armed Saxons could do was raid Viking camps and wage a guerilla war. Alfred himself was hunted. From this time comes the most popular legend about King Alfred.