Capture of Chippenham
Guthrum surprised Alfred at Chippenham and temporarily overran much of Wessex.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
878 in Denmark
Explore 26 historical events and records for Denmark in 878.
Historical records for Denmark in 878
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 26 of 26 unique records.
26Unique records
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21Named events on this page
2Named people on this page
10Places on this page
January
Invasion of Wessex
Guthrum launches a surprise midwinter attack on Alfred at Chippenham.
Occupation of Chippenham
Guthrum surprises Alfred at Chippenham and forces the West Saxon king into temporary refuge.
Battle of Cynwit
The Viking force waits below the stronghold, expecting hunger and thirst to force the West Saxons to surrender.
Battle of Cynwit
Odda defeats a Viking force linked with Ubba, and many Vikings are killed during the west-country campaign.
Battle of Cynwit
Ubba lands with a Viking force in western Wessex while Alfred is still recovering from the Danish attack on Chippenham.
Death of Ubba
Ubba is killed when Odda's West Saxons break out from the hillfort and overwhelm the Viking besiegers.
Raven Banner
Odda's men capture the Viking raven banner after killing Ubba and many of his warriors at Cynwit.
Siege of Cynwit
Ubba's army besieges a West Saxon stronghold after finding Odda's men positioned in a defensible hillfort.
May
Battle of Edington
Guthrum is defeated by Alfred at Edington and retreats to Chippenham.
Battle of Edington
Guthrum's shield wall is broken by Alfred's army during the decisive West Saxon victory at Edington.
Battle of Edington
Guthrum faces Alfred's rallied West Saxon army after Alfred gathers forces from Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire.
Great Heathen Army
Guthrum's army is defeated by Alfred at Edington, ending the major Wessex campaign of the Great Heathen Army.
Hostages
Guthrum gives hostages to Alfred as part of the terms imposed after the Danish surrender.
Result of Surrender of Guthrum and the Danish Army
Guthrum accepts baptism, hostages and withdrawal, ending the immediate Danish campaign against Wessex.
Retreat from Hampshire
After Edington Guthrum loses the initiative as men from Hampshire rally to Alfred.
Retreat from Wiltshire
After Edington Guthrum's army retreats through Wiltshire toward Chippenham.
Retreat to Chippenham
Guthrum retreats to Chippenham with the remains of his army after defeat at Edington.
Siege of Chippenham
After defeat at Edington Guthrum is besieged at Chippenham and forced to surrender.
Siege of Chippenham
Guthrum is besieged by Alfred after Edington and is forced to negotiate surrender terms.
Surrender of Guthrum and the Danish Army
Guthrum surrenders after the post-Edington siege and agrees to baptism, hostages and withdrawal from Wessex.
Other events (month unknown)
Baptism
Guthrum accepts Christian baptism after his surrender, with Alfred standing as his sponsor.
Conversion
Guthrum's conversion is confirmed as part of the post-Edington settlement with Alfred.
Invasion of England
Guthrum leads the Danish invasion that threatens the survival of Alfred's kingdom.
Settlement
After Edington Guthrum agrees to leave Wessex, opening the way for a later territorial settlement.
Treaty of Wedmore
Guthrum accepts baptism and agrees to withdraw from Wessex under the settlement following Edington.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.