Battle of Edington
Probably Edington, Wiltshire, see § Location of the battle .
What happened
King Alfred the Great of Wessex fought Guthrum, the Danish leader of the Viking Great Heathen Army. In January 878 Guthrum's Vikings made a surprise attack on Chippenham, and Alfred had to hide in the marshes at Athelney in Somerset. In May he called men from Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire to meet him at Egbert's Stone, and they marched to fight the Danes near Edington. Alfred won, then surrounded the Danes in their stronghold for about two weeks until they asked for peace.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The victory saved the kingdom of Wessex from Viking conquest. Peace agreements afterwards split England between Alfred's lands and lands ruled by the Danes.
What came next
About three weeks later Guthrum was baptised as a Christian at Aller in Somerset, with Alfred as his sponsor, and agreed to leave Wessex for East Anglia. Alfred then built a network of about 33 fortified towns called burhs to defend his kingdom.
Did you know?
At his baptism Guthrum took the Christian name Æthelstan, after Alfred's late older brother.
Timeline
- January 878Guthrum's Vikings attack Chippenham, and Alfred retreats to Athelney.
- Early May 878Alfred gathers men at Egbert's Stone.
- May 878Alfred defeats Guthrum at Edington.
- About three weeks laterGuthrum is baptised at Aller with Alfred as his sponsor.
- 26 October 899Alfred dies in Winchester.