878 in History

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

Guthrum surprised Alfred at Chippenham and temporarily overran much of Wessex.

Guthrum's army is defeated by Alfred at Edington, ending the major Wessex campaign of the Great Heathen Army.

Guthrum gives hostages to Alfred as part of the terms imposed after the Danish surrender.

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

Guthrum launches a surprise midwinter attack on Alfred at Chippenham.

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

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

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

Guthrum surprises Alfred at Chippenham and forces the West Saxon king into temporary refuge.

Odda's men capture the Viking raven banner after killing Ubba and many of his warriors at Cynwit.

Guthrum accepts baptism, hostages and withdrawal, ending the immediate Danish campaign against Wessex.

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

The siege ends with Danish capitulation and withdrawal from Wessex.

After Edington Guthrum loses the initiative as men from Hampshire rally to Alfred.

After Edington Guthrum's army retreats through Wiltshire toward Chippenham.

Guthrum retreats to Chippenham with the remains of his army after defeat at Edington.

After Edington Alfred besieges Guthrum's force at Chippenham for about two weeks until the Danes sue for peace.

After defeat at Edington Guthrum is besieged at Chippenham and forced to surrender.

Guthrum is besieged by Alfred after Edington and is forced to negotiate surrender terms.

Ubba's army besieges a West Saxon stronghold after finding Odda's men positioned in a defensible hillfort.

Guthrum surrenders after the post-Edington siege and agrees to baptism, hostages and withdrawal from Wessex.

Guthrum's Danes surrender at Chippenham after Alfred's victory at Edington and subsequent siege.

The Danes retreat to Chippenham after Edington and surrender after Alfred besieges their stronghold.

Alfred requires Guthrum to give hostages, leave Wessex and accept Christian baptism.

Ubba is killed when Odda's West Saxons break out from the hillfort and overwhelm the Viking besiegers.

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

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

The Viking force waits below the stronghold, expecting hunger and thirst to force the West Saxons to surrender.

Odda defeats a Viking force linked with Ubba, and many Vikings are killed during the west-country campaign.

Ubba lands with a Viking force in western Wessex while Alfred is still recovering from the Danish attack on Chippenham.

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

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

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

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

Guthrum is defeated by Alfred at Edington and retreats to Chippenham.

Guthrum's shield wall is broken by Alfred's army during the decisive West Saxon victory at Edington.

Guthrum faces Alfred's rallied West Saxon army after Alfred gathers forces from Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire.