Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was Alfred's main contribution to the 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'?
What was Alfred's main contribution to the 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'?
Which of these aspects is NOT mentioned as being included in the 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'?
Which of these aspects is NOT mentioned as being included in the 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'?
What implication can be drawn from the statement 'For the earlier centuries it is little more than a register of kings and battles'?
What implication can be drawn from the statement 'For the earlier centuries it is little more than a register of kings and battles'?
What is the significance of the statement 'In 899, the chroniclers had sad news to report'?
What is the significance of the statement 'In 899, the chroniclers had sad news to report'?
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What happened to Burgred, the king of Mercia?
What happened to Burgred, the king of Mercia?
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What is the main purpose of the statement 'Alfred played a large part in all this work'?
What is the main purpose of the statement 'Alfred played a large part in all this work'?
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What was the fate of the first group of Danes who settled in Northumbria?
What was the fate of the first group of Danes who settled in Northumbria?
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Which of the following is NOT mentioned as one of Alfred's legacies?
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as one of Alfred's legacies?
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Why did Guthrum avoid a direct battle with Alfred in 877?
Why did Guthrum avoid a direct battle with Alfred in 877?
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What can be inferred about the attitude of the writer towards Alfred?
What can be inferred about the attitude of the writer towards Alfred?
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What was the reason for Alfred's forced retreat to the Somerset marshes?
What was the reason for Alfred's forced retreat to the Somerset marshes?
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What does the phrase 'Copies of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle were sent to a number of monasteries' suggest about the importance of the Chronicle?
What does the phrase 'Copies of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle were sent to a number of monasteries' suggest about the importance of the Chronicle?
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What was the key reason for Alfred's success in rallying his forces against the Danes?
What was the key reason for Alfred's success in rallying his forces against the Danes?
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What was the significance of the battle of Edington?
What was the significance of the battle of Edington?
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What was the name of the region where Alfred established a stronghold during his retreat?
What was the name of the region where Alfred established a stronghold during his retreat?
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Which of these was NOT a reason for the Danish attack on Wessex in 876?
Which of these was NOT a reason for the Danish attack on Wessex in 876?
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How did the Danes inadvertently assist in the forming of the Kingdom of England?
How did the Danes inadvertently assist in the forming of the Kingdom of England?
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What was the primary function of the shire moot?
What was the primary function of the shire moot?
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Who was responsible for administering the daily affairs of a shire?
Who was responsible for administering the daily affairs of a shire?
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What was the significance of the River Tweed?
What was the significance of the River Tweed?
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What was the purpose of the hundred moot?
What was the purpose of the hundred moot?
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Which of the following was NOT a responsibility of the ealdorman?
Which of the following was NOT a responsibility of the ealdorman?
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What was the main reason for the development of burhs in England?
What was the main reason for the development of burhs in England?
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How did the establishment of shires affect the administration of England?
How did the establishment of shires affect the administration of England?
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Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between Anglo-Saxon towns and their surrounding areas?
Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between Anglo-Saxon towns and their surrounding areas?
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Based on the information provided, what was a key factor in the growth of Anglo-Saxon towns?
Based on the information provided, what was a key factor in the growth of Anglo-Saxon towns?
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What was the significance of the churches in Anglo-Saxon towns?
What was the significance of the churches in Anglo-Saxon towns?
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What does the text reveal about the concept of a 'capital' in Anglo-Saxon England?
What does the text reveal about the concept of a 'capital' in Anglo-Saxon England?
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According to the information provided, what was the approximate population of London in the eleventh century?
According to the information provided, what was the approximate population of London in the eleventh century?
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What was one of the key factors that motivated Alfred to revitalize learning in England?
What was one of the key factors that motivated Alfred to revitalize learning in England?
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What does the passage suggest about the state of education in Anglo-Saxon England before Alfred's reign?
What does the passage suggest about the state of education in Anglo-Saxon England before Alfred's reign?
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According to the passage, what was Alfred's primary goal in promoting the translation of important books into English?
According to the passage, what was Alfred's primary goal in promoting the translation of important books into English?
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Why was it important for Alfred to translate laws into the English language?
Why was it important for Alfred to translate laws into the English language?
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Which of the following books was NOT mentioned in the passage as being translated into English during Alfred's reign?
Which of the following books was NOT mentioned in the passage as being translated into English during Alfred's reign?
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What distinction was made between those who were 'fit for higher learning' and those who were not?
What distinction was made between those who were 'fit for higher learning' and those who were not?
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What can be inferred about the importance of Latin in Alfred's time?
What can be inferred about the importance of Latin in Alfred's time?
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Which of the following most accurately describes Alfred’s approach to education?
Which of the following most accurately describes Alfred’s approach to education?
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Which of the following best describes the main goal of King Edward 'the Elder'?
Which of the following best describes the main goal of King Edward 'the Elder'?
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How did the English conquer the Danelaw?
How did the English conquer the Danelaw?
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What was the role of Ethelfleda in conquering the Danelaw?
What was the role of Ethelfleda in conquering the Danelaw?
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What was the significance of the burhs built by the English in the Danelaw?
What was the significance of the burhs built by the English in the Danelaw?
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What best describes the Danes' response to the English conquest of the Danelaw?
What best describes the Danes' response to the English conquest of the Danelaw?
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What was Athelstan's most significant achievement?
What was Athelstan's most significant achievement?
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What did the title 'Rex Totius Britannae' signify?
What did the title 'Rex Totius Britannae' signify?
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What does the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle's description of the Battle of Brunanburh reveal about Athelstan?
What does the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle's description of the Battle of Brunanburh reveal about Athelstan?
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Flashcards
Burgred
Burgred
The king of Mercia who was driven from his throne by the Danes.
Great Army
Great Army
A coalition of Viking forces that invaded England in the late 9th century.
Guthrum
Guthrum
Danish leader who attacked Wessex and camped at Gloucester.
Athelney
Athelney
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Shield wall
Shield wall
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Edington
Edington
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Spring rally
Spring rally
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Danish Raid on Wessex (878)
Danish Raid on Wessex (878)
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Danelaw
Danelaw
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Ethelfleda
Ethelfleda
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Burh
Burh
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Athelstan
Athelstan
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Brunanburh
Brunanburh
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Rex Totius Britannae
Rex Totius Britannae
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Edward 'the Elder'
Edward 'the Elder'
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Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
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Alfred the Great
Alfred the Great
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Bishop Asser
Bishop Asser
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Focus on education
Focus on education
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Englisc language
Englisc language
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Translation efforts
Translation efforts
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Viking destruction
Viking destruction
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Scholarly texts
Scholarly texts
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Literacy for governance
Literacy for governance
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Shire
Shire
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Ealdorman
Ealdorman
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Shire moot
Shire moot
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Hundred
Hundred
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Hundred moot
Hundred moot
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King Edgar
King Edgar
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Anglo-Saxon Towns
Anglo-Saxon Towns
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Role of Churches
Role of Churches
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London's Economy
London's Economy
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Population Estimates
Population Estimates
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Witan Assembly
Witan Assembly
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King Alfred
King Alfred
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Danish invasions
Danish invasions
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Monastery records
Monastery records
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Chronicle versions
Chronicle versions
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Code of Laws
Code of Laws
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Translations into English
Translations into English
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Alfred's legacy
Alfred's legacy
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Study Notes
Alfred versus Guthrum
- King Ethelred and Alfred led the men of Wessex into battle against the Danes.
- The attack on the Danish stronghold at Reading was unsuccessful.
- The Danes were defeated in an open battle on the Berkshire Downs.
- King Alfred was reportedly praying for victory during the battle.
- Alfred's men fought without him as Alfred refused to be interrupted.
- The Danes regained the victory soon after.
- They were unable to press their advantage in the subsequent campaign.
Ethelred's Death and Subsequent Events
- Ethelred died suddenly in April 871.
- Alfred, only 22, became king.
- A bitter struggle for control continued throughout the summer.
- Nine battles were fought in 871.
- The Danes attacked Mercia, driving out King Burgred.
- Mercia lost its alliance with Wessex.
- The Great Army settled in Northumbria by 876.
Alfred's Response to the Danish Attack
- The Danes attacked Wessex under Guthrum at Wareham.
- The Danish fleet were almost destroyed in a storm.
- Guthrum moved to Exeter and later Mercia.
- Alfred, caught unprepared, retreated to the Somerset marshes.
- Alfred established a stronghold at Athelney.
The Decision Battle at Edington
- Alfred gathered his forces and their allies near Edington.
- The Danes were decisively defeated near Salisbury in May 878
- Guthrum surrendered after a fifteen mile pursuit to Chippenham.
Danish Settlements
- Following the defeat, a lasting peace was agreed.
- Guthrum was baptized a Christian by Alfred.
- The Danes settled in East Anglia and peacefully worked the land.
Alfred's Reforms
- Alfred restored learning and education.
- Scholars from home and abroad were invited to the court.
- Alfred ordered translations of important books into Old English.
- He established schools and promoted learning.
- Alfred strengthened defences and built burhs.
The Kingdom of All England
- Alfred the Great saved England from the Danes.
- He reformed the army and built warships.
- Alfred valued military achievements and strategic learning, education and governance just as much.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
- The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle was written as the years passed.
- It documented the events of Alfred's era in great detail.
- Copies were distributed to monasteries.
Re-conquest of the Danelaw
- Edward the Elder succeeded Alfred and aimed to increase the power of Wessex.
- The Mercians joined Edward in conquering the Danelaw.
- The English slowly gained control of the Danelaw in small stages.
- The Danes gradually accepted Edward as their king.
- Edward's conquests led to the final unification of England to some degree.
Shires, Hundreds, and Towns
- The Danelaw was divided into shires centred on towns or cities.
- Shires were further divided into hundreds, each with a local court.
- Local officials (ealdormen) and leaders enforced laws and collected taxes.
- Town development related strongly to where castles, churchs or important buildings and centers were located.
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Description
Explore the significant battles between King Alfred of Wessex and the Danes led by Guthrum in 871. Learn about the outcomes of various confrontations, the political landscape, and the historical context surrounding these events. Test your knowledge on this pivotal moment in Anglo-Saxon history.