1.1.2 Danelaw Flashcards
1
Q
Describe the timeline of events that happened in order to create the Danelaw (6)
A
- AD871, Alfred, the 22-year-old son of Aethelred of Wessex, became king after his father’s death. He would go on to be known as Alfred the Great and become king of the Anglo-Saxons. He fought the Vikings and helped to bring peace to the country
- In AD876, after conquering Northumbria, East Anglia and most of Mercia, the Vikings had now turned their attention to Wessex and began a series of attacks
- After some early successes, King Alfred and his army were driven back and forced to hide on the Isle of Athelney in the Somerset marshes
- May AD878, King Alfred beat the Vikings at the Battle of Edington in Wiltshire, and the two sides sat down to agree peace terms
- The Viking leader, Guthrum, had to become a Christian and agree never to attack Wessex again
- A boundary was created between the Anglo-Saxon and Viking territories. The Vikings were to live in the north and the east of the country which was called the Danelaw
2
Q
Who controlled the Danelaw? (3)
A
- The Danelaw was controlled by the Viking king, Guthrum
- He had been one of the leaders of the Great Heathen Army that invaded England
- He was a skilled warrior - however, his hopes of conquering Wessex (the only kingdom still unconquered by the Vikings) were crushed in 878 by the Anglo-Saxon king Alfred the Great
3
Q
What happened in 878?
A
Borders were agreed in an Anglo-Saxon/Viking treaty
