may 6, 878 - Edington
Description:
Having been pushed back on the defensive before the advancing danes, and generally paying them off only to see them advance further, Alfred was reduced to hiding in the Somerset Marshes and burning peasants cakes. Rallying those men that were still loyal and hadnt been overrun, he marched to meet Guthrum at Edington."Fighting ferociously, forming a dense shield-wall against the whole army of the Pagans, and striving long and bravely...at last he [Alfred] gained the victory. He overthrew the Pagans with great slaughter, and smiting the fugitives, he pursued them as far as the fortress ."
He then laid seige to the fortress and starved them out till they sued for peace. It was the first major decisive defeat of the Danes by Wessex.
Added to timeline:
Date:
may 6, 878
Now
~ 1148 years ago