Alfred the Great

The Vikings Invade

King Alfred the Great lived in dangerous times. His father, King Aethelwulf, had four sons and Alfred was the youngest. Normally, Alfred would not have become King. In the battles against the Vikings, however, his four older brothers were killed until in 870 Alfred himself became King.

The Vikings had first come to Britain in the 790's to raid and carry off plunder. As the years passed they became bolder and from 851 started to stay in Britain over the winter, rather than return home. The four great Anglo Saxon kingdoms Mercia (West Midlands) Northumbria (Northern England) East Anglia and Wessex were under attack. By 878 only the Kingdom of Wessex was left.

In 870 the Danish Viking army began its attack on Wessex. After raiding all summer, they set up their winter base at Reading. They then turned to the west, along the ancient Ridgeway and were met by King Aethelred's army at the White Horse of Uffington. King Aethelred (Alfred's older brother) defeated the Vikings, after Alfred charged with his men. This, the Battle of Ashdown, was a victory for the Saxons.