Page 83 - All About History - Issue 27-15

Alfred vs the Vikings

good few years it worked. However, in 876, Alfred
faced a new foe, the Viking king Guthrum. Anatomy of an
Guthrum had already managed, through great
cunning, to travel through the heart of Wessex and
nose. Although they made a treaty of peace, the Anglo-Saxon warrior
seize the town of Wareham from under Alfred’s
arrival of hundreds more Viking ships indicated
relations were anything but friendly. With his
army reinforced, Guthrum headed straight towards Shield Spear Helmet Sword
Alfred’s stronghold in Chippenham with one aim The crucial piece of Possibly the most Known as ‘helms’, the Swords were very
equipment for any common Anglo-Saxon lack of evidence of treasured items, with
in sight. He didn’t want a quick raid or a battle, he Anglo-Saxon warrior, weapon, spears went Anglo-Saxon helmets connotations of status,
wanted Wessex, and to get it he would destroy the one of the primary hand in hand with the have led many to believe and not just any soldier
one thing holding it together – Alfred. battle tactics was the shield-wall tactic, being that they were not could wield one. Rather
shield-wall. Not only did thrown as javelins and commonly used, or were than melting iron ore,
Guthrum planned his attack perfectly. The this protect against the thrusting weapons. made from perishable the blades of swords
Twelth Night was a festival that took over the enemies’ missiles, but The size and material materials like leather. were constructed from
entire city, a season of revelry could also be used to of spearheads differed The earliest Anglo-Saxon several small pieces of
push forward and break hugely, as did the length helmet discovered was iron or welded together.
and merriment. Every person the enemy line. The – ranging from about five found at Sutton Hoo and Swords would also
was part of the celebration a first shield line to break foot to over nine foot. dates as far back as the often be decorated with
of Chippenham were expose would be the losers, so sixth century. inscriptions, and one
hardy, strong shields sixth-century example
Guthrum took advantage of were essential. bears the mark “Sigimer
was overrun by Vikings with made this sword.”
had no time to summon an a
flee with his family to Wiltsh
out that the powerful Viking
force presented a very convin
one by one the nobles of We
new king. The leadership of W
and Alfred, with nobody to c
darkness of the moors.
This was more than humi
was the lowest point in his li
meant little, as Anglo-Saxon
golden thrones, but side by s
with their faithful companio
it – he had no companions, h
where loyalty and faithfulne
all, he had been cast out, a v
a chain of swift and brutal b
Alfred could have easily su
hopelessness of his situation
decided to fight. He and a sm
built a hidden camp in a swa
Somerset, and used it as a ba
hell upon the invaders. For
months Alfred and his men
fought a guerilla war against
Danes, sneaking out of Some
killing small parties of Viking
passed, looting camps and se
the enemies’ vulnerabilities.
number one target was the E
who had betrayed Alfred, ho
their deaths would send a cle
message to his people that th
had not abandoned them.
Tales of Alfred’s deeds soo
throughout the population, c
loyal that the king would ret
them from their Danish supp
Slowly but surely a secret ne
of communication between
the exiled king and his loyal
earls formed. For Guthrum,
the attacks by Alfred and his
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