Changes

It was in the year 870, when Alfred ruled as co-regent with his brother Ethelred that the [[Danes]] (Vikings) began to invade his kingdom in force.  In 871, the [[Saxons]] fought the Danes in eight pitched battles, with varying fortunes. However, the Viking armies were made up of professional soldiers, while only a portion of the Saxon armies were soldiers, the rest being conscripted farmers.  Although King Ethelred fell in the last of these battles and his kingdom was worn out by fighting, King Alfred was able to make a treaty with the Danes by which they withdrew in 872.  For several years the peace was kept, and Alfred dedicated himself to restoring his kingdom to a state of defense.  

It was in the year 870, when Alfred ruled as co-regent with his brother Ethelred that the [[Danes]] (Vikings) began to invade his kingdom in force.  In 871, the [[Saxons]] fought the Danes in eight pitched battles, with varying fortunes. However, the Viking armies were made up of professional soldiers, while only a portion of the Saxon armies were soldiers, the rest being conscripted farmers.  Although King Ethelred fell in the last of these battles and his kingdom was worn out by fighting, King Alfred was able to make a treaty with the Danes by which they withdrew in 872.  For several years the peace was kept, and Alfred dedicated himself to restoring his kingdom to a state of defense.  

But in 876 the Danes renewed the war, launching an invasion in overwhelming force.  Alfred defeated the Danes in momentous battles against great odds by land and sea, and effectually trapped the main body of the invaders at the port of Exeter so that they promised to retreat and never return if their lives were spared.  But Alfred’s forces were weakened in the struggle, and when the Danes received reinforcements and treacherously renewed the invasion, he was unable to resist the onslaught.  Thus it was that the king, after many brilliant victories, found himself a fugitive on the isle of Athelney in the marshes of England.   

But in 876 the Danes renewed the war, launching an invasion in overwhelming force.  Alfred defeated the Danes in momentous battles against great odds by land and sea, and effectually trapped the main body of the invaders at the port of Exeter so that they promised to retreat and never return if their lives were spared.  But Alfred's forces were weakened in the struggle, and when the Danes received reinforcements and treacherously renewed the invasion, he was unable to resist the onslaught.  Thus it was that the king, after many brilliant victories, found himself a fugitive on the isle of Athelney in the marshes of England.   

The Danes now roamed freely through King Alfred’s kingdom, plundering and oppressing the people.  But Alfred, undaunted, secretly prepared to renew the struggle.  In May of 878 Alfred, having rearmed and reorganized his forces without alerting the Danes, marched suddenly to attack their central encampment at Chippenham.  The Danes met him in pitched battle, and Alfred’s determined, well disciplined army won a decisive victory.   

The Danes now roamed freely through King Alfred's kingdom, plundering and oppressing the people.  But Alfred, undaunted, secretly prepared to renew the struggle.  In May of 878 Alfred, having rearmed and reorganized his forces without alerting the Danes, marched suddenly to attack their central encampment at Chippenham.  The Danes met him in pitched battle, and Alfred's determined, well disciplined army won a decisive victory.   

Besieged in their camp and suffering from starvation, the Danes finally surrendered to the Saxons, and many of their leaders turned from paganism to Christianity.  It was not long before the Danish incursions were renewed, but in the intervening time King Alfred was able to develop a strong, professional army and navy to check the invaders.  After years of struggle, the steadfast courage and wisdom of King Alfred and the loyalty of his people had brought peace and freedom to his kingdom.

Besieged in their camp and suffering from starvation, the Danes finally surrendered to the Saxons, and many of their leaders turned from paganism to Christianity.  It was not long before the Danish incursions were renewed, but in the intervening time King Alfred was able to develop a strong, professional army and navy to check the invaders.  After years of struggle, the steadfast courage and wisdom of King Alfred and the loyalty of his people had brought peace and freedom to his kingdom.