Alfred the Great Biography and Timeline

Birth of youngest son

Alfred is born at Wantage, the youngest son of Aethelwulf of Wessex.

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Visit to Rome

Alfred visits Rome as a young royal prince and is honoured by Pope Leo IV.

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Alfred returns to Rome with his father Aethelwulf during a royal pilgrimage

Alfred returns to Rome with his father Aethelwulf during a royal pilgrimage and diplomatic journey.

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Marriage

Alfred marries Ealhswith, strengthening political links between Wessex and Mercian nobility.

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Mercian Alliance

The marriage to Ealhswith connects Alfred with an important Mercian family through her father Aethelred Mucel.

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Siege of Nottingham

King Aethelred of Wessex and his brother Alfred march to Nottingham against the Danes but cannot force a battle.

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Conquest of East Anglia

The Danes defeat King Edmund of East Anglia, increasing the Viking threat faced by Wessex.

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Battle of Reading

Alfred and Aethelred are defeated by the Danes at Reading after the Viking army occupies the town.

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Battle of Reading

The Danes defeat Aethelred and Alfred at Reading before the West Saxon victory at Ashdown.

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Battle of Ashdown

Aethelred and Alfred defeat the Viking army at Ashdown after Alfred leads the West Saxon attack.

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Battle of Ashdown

Alfred and Aethelred lead the West Saxons to victory over the Vikings at Ashdown.

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Battle of Basing

The Danes defeat Aethelred and Alfred at Basing during the hard winter campaign against Wessex.

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Battle of Merton

The Vikings defeat Aethelred and Alfred at Merton, where Bishop Heahmund of Sherborne is killed.

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Succession

Alfred succeeded Aethelred during the struggle against the Danish army.

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Kingship

Alfred begins ruling Wessex during a severe military crisis caused by renewed Viking attacks.

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Succession

Alfred succeeds his brother Aethelred as King of Wessex during the Danish invasion.

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Battle of Wilton

Alfred fights the Danes at Wilton soon after becoming king, but the West Saxons are defeated after early success.

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War Finance

Alfred has to balance military defence, tribute payments and royal authority during his first year as king.

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Viking Occupation of London

The Viking army withdraws from Wessex and winters in London while Mercia makes peace.

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Alfred Inherits Wessex During War

Alfred succeeded his brother Aethelred during a prolonged Viking campaign and continued the defence of the kingdom.

Invasion of Mercia

Viking pressure on Mercia continues after the army leaves Wessex, increasing Alfred's strategic concern.

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Naval Battle

Alfred fights Viking ships at sea and captures one vessel, showing his growing interest in naval defence.

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Peace Negotiation

Alfred negotiates with a Viking army at Wareham while trying to prevent further raids into Wessex.

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Oath Breaking

The Vikings break oaths sworn to Alfred and continue their campaign against Wessex.

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Siege of Wareham

Alfred surrounds the Danish army at Wareham and forces it to give hostages and swear oaths of peace.

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Naval Defence

Alfred's forces confront Viking ships near Swanage as he begins developing a more active naval defence.

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Siege of Exeter

Alfred besieges a Danish force at Exeter, and the loss of a Viking reinforcement fleet helps force their withdrawal.

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Invasion of Wessex

Guthrum launches a surprise midwinter attack at Chippenham and overruns much of Wessex.

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Battle of Cynwit

Odda defeats a Viking force linked with Ubba, helping protect Alfred while he is based in the marshes.

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Battle of Cynwit

Odda's victory at Cynwit destroys a Viking army threatening Alfred's position in the west.

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Athelney

Alfred builds a fortified base at Athelney and launches raids against the Danish occupation.

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Battle of Edington

Alfred conducts guerrilla operations from Athelney before gathering his army for the Edington campaign.

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Battle of Edington

Alfred defeated Guthrum at Edington and forced the Danish army to seek peace.

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Battle of Edington

Alfred defeats Guthrum's Viking army at Edington after rallying forces from Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire.

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Battle of Edington

Alfred defeats the Danes at Edington and forces Guthrum to negotiate peace.

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Muster

Men from Hampshire join Alfred's army after he emerges from Athelney to confront Guthrum.

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Muster

Alfred marches through Iley Oak after mustering his army before the Battle of Edington.

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Muster

Men from Wiltshire rally to Alfred before the final advance against Guthrum at Edington.

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Result of Surrender of Guthrum's Danes

The Danish army withdraws after defeat and submission, securing Alfred's immediate position in Wessex.

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Result of Surrender of Guthrum's Danes

The siege ends with Danish capitulation and withdrawal from Wessex.

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