Anglo Saxons 871-1016 Flashcards
When was Alfred born?
849
When did Alfred go to Rome to meet the Pope?
853
When did Athelwulf die?
858
When did the great heathen army arrive in England?
865
When did the Great Summer army arrive in England?
871
What were the names of Alfred’s brothers?
Aethelstan
Aethelbald
Aethelberht
Aethelred
When did Aethelbald die?
860
When did Aethelberht die?
865
Who opposed Alfred’s right to the throne in 871?
Athelwold (Aethelred’s son)
What battle did Alfred and Aethelred fight together in 871?
Battle of Ashdown
Was the battle of Ashdown an Anglo-saxon or Viking win?
Anglo Saxon
When did Aethelred die?
871 (months after the Battle of Ashdown)
Was the battle of Wilton an Anglo-Saxon or Viking win?
The Vikings
What did Asser say about Alfred about the battle of Wilton?
‘he fought most vigorously’
Who is Asser?
Asser is a Welsh monk who wrote about Alfred’s life and reign as King?
What is a panegyric?
An exaggerated piece of propaganda used to praise someone.
What is Asser’s book called?
Asser’s Life Of King Alfred
What was the 5 hides system?
One soldier per 5 hides along with their equipment would be supplied to the fyrd when called up. The rest in the hide had to pay for the soldiers supplies and food.
What did Alfred find out about the Ealdormen of Wiltshire in 878?
That he had made peace with the Vikings.
Why were Fyrds a problem?
They were commanded by thegns who mostly showed loyalty to their ealdormen before allegiance to the crown.
What were Fyrds?
As there was no standing army Fyrds were used in Alfred’s law code and the Anglo Saxon chronicle to signify a royal military expedition
Who was the commander of the Vikings when they arrived in 871?
Guthrum
What was the scale and nature of the Viking attacks before 850?
Consisted of up to 50 ships and were aimed at gaining moveable wealth.
What was the scale and nature of the Viking attacks after 850 (Alfred)?
Fleet size grew to between 150 and 150 ships and the armies were seen to grab and share land in Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia.
When did the Vikings set up camp at Chippenham?
6 January 878
Twelfth Night
What did Alfred do at the battle of Chippenham 878?
Fled to Athelney
Why was Alfred’s refuge at Athelney important (3 Reasons)?
Alfred launched a number of raids against the Vikings
Alfred got new of a Viking defeat in Devon from Ealdormen Odda.
The story of the burnt cakes
How many soldiers did Alfred call up at Athelney?
Around 4000
What happened at the battle of Edington 878?
They went in with overwhelming force and forced Guthrums army to retreat. They fled to Chippenham where Alfred besieged them and began peace talks with Guthrum.
What did Alfred do in his military reforms?
He created a network of burhs
What is a buhr?
A fortified town or defended site
What was Alfred first battle as King?
Wilton 871
When was the battle of Wareham?
876
What did Alfred do at Wareham?
He offered an exchange of hostages and paid the Vikings money (Danegeld) to leave as long as they swore an oath to their own gods.
