The Battle of Edington, fought in May 878, marked a decisive turning point in the struggle between the Anglo-Saxons and the invading Great Heathen Army. Alfred of Wessex’s victory over Guthrum’s Danish forces did more than halt Viking expansion; it set the groundwork for a unified English kingdom.
Historical Background
By the late 870s, much of Anglo-Saxon England had fallen under Danish control. Only Wessex remained independent. Alfred had faced defeats and was forced into hiding in the marshes of Athelney. From this precarious position, he gathered forces for a counterstrike, culminating in the confrontation at Edington.
Forces Involved
| Side | Leader | Estimated Troops | Composition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingdom of Wessex | Alfred the Great | c. 2,500–4,000 | Fyrd (local militia), household warriors |
| Great Heathen Army | Guthrum | c. 4,000–5,000 | Professional Danish warriors, including huscarls |
While exact numbers are debated, Wessex likely fielded fewer troops. The quality of Alfred’s core force, alongside local levies, helped offset the Danes’ experience.
Arms and Armour
Wessex Forces:
- Swords: Predominantly double-edged pattern-welded swords with fuller grooves. These were status symbols as well as practical weapons. Many were of Frankish or local origin.
- Spears: The most common weapon among the fyrd. Used for thrusting and throwing.
- Seaxes: Single-edged knives carried by nearly all men, often used as a backup weapon.
- Shields: Round, wooden with an iron boss. Painted and sometimes reinforced with leather.
- Helmets and Mail: Nobles and Alfred’s personal guard wore conical iron helmets and knee-length mail hauberks. Most fyrdmen had minimal armour, often just a leather jerkin.
Danish Forces:
- Swords: Similar in type to Anglo-Saxon swords but often better maintained. Frequently looted or traded from Frankish regions.
- Axes: Including both small hand axes and the larger Danish long axe, capable of cleaving through shields.
- Spears and Shields: Common among all ranks. Viking shields were circular, often with intricate designs.
- Armour: Many Danes wore mail shirts and helmets. Leather and padded garments were also used.
Battle Timeline
Pre-Battle
- Early 878: Alfred in hiding at Athelney after a surprise Danish attack.
- Spring: Alfred’s scouts report on Guthrum’s camp. He gathers troops from Somerset, Wiltshire, and Hampshire.
- 4–6 May: Alfred meets his levies at Egbert’s Stone and marches east.
Battle
- May 878: The two forces meet near Edington (likely in Wiltshire).
- Alfred draws up his forces in a shield wall, mirroring the Danes.
- A brutal, prolonged melee ensues. The West Saxon shield wall holds and gradually forces the Danes to retreat.
Aftermath
- Guthrum’s forces are besieged in their camp for two weeks.
- Guthrum surrenders and agrees to the Treaty of Wedmore.
- He is baptised as part of the peace terms, taking the name Aethelstan.
Archaeological Evidence
Edington’s precise location is still debated, though most scholars favour Edington in Wiltshire due to proximity to Alfred’s known movements. Excavations in the area have yielded:
- 9th-century weapons, including spearheads and a broken sword pommel.
- Defensive earthworks that may have been part of Guthrum’s encampment.
- Fragments of mail and shield bosses consistent with Anglo-Saxon and Viking types.
No mass grave has been confirmed, but the scarcity of human remains may point to post-battle cremation or battlefield clearance.
Contemporary Quotes
From Asser’s Life of King Alfred:
“Then the king rode up with a great company, and fought against the whole host and put them to flight, and he pursued them to their fortress.”
From the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (878 entry):
“And Alfred rode after the host, and fought against the whole force, and put them to flight and remained master of the field.”
Legacy
Edington stopped the Viking advance into Wessex and preserved the last free Anglo-Saxon kingdom. The subsequent Treaty of Wedmore created boundaries that acknowledged Danelaw but preserved Alfred’s rule. More importantly, the battle cemented Alfred’s position and legacy, laying the foundation for his vision of a unified England.
It was not just a battlefield victory. It was a psychological and cultural one too. Alfred’s survival and success reinvigorated resistance across southern England and shifted the balance of power between Norse invaders and native rulers for generations.
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