King alfred vikings sickness12/27/2023 ![]() ![]() ![]() In 876, the fighting intensified as the Vikings attacked in Wareham and later in Chippenham, a stronghold of Alfred. However, the payments did not make the Vikings go away, and every spring they would come back. The Viking army, led by Guthrum, spent many winters in London. But, almost immediately, the kingdom came under further attack from a rampaging Viking army (or Great Heathen Army as it was known to the Anglo-Saxons) Given his lack of military strength, Alfred sued for a temporary peace and paid off the Vikings (known as Danegeld) to retreat for the winter. In April 871, King Æthelred died and Arthur was crowned the King of Wessex. Under Ivar the Boneless, the Vikings crossed the border of Mercia and by 870 the Vikings had moved into Wessex. From 865 Alfred was involved in battles and skirmishes against Viking invaders. They had also established a base in York. At the time, the Anglo-Saxons were very fearful of the Viking invaders who had proved almost unstoppable in their frequent raids into England. He served under his elder brother Æthelred. One story states he won a book of poetry from his mother after he successfully memorised all the poems on the book.įrom the age of 16, Alfred was given a prominent position in contributing to the defence of the kingdom of Wessex against Viking invaders. However, he was noted for his piety and interest in learning. As a child, Alfred was of frail physical health – he suffered from a painful condition known as piles. He was blessed by the Pope, an important sign for his legitimacy to be a ruler. As a young boy, he was sent on a pilgrimage to Rome, where he had an audience with the Pope. He was the fourth son of King Æthelwulf of Wessex by his first wife, Osburh. An estimate of what King Alfred may have looked like by George S StuartĪlfred was born in Wantage, Oxfordshire around 848. ![]()
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