Battle of Ashdown 871 - Vikings Invade Britain ANIMATED DOCUMENTARY

TL;DR

Prince Alfred's decisive charge at Ashdown in 871 handed the Great Heathen Army its first major defeat, proving Wessex could survive Viking conquest.

Key Points

• 1.The Great Heathen Army (~2,000–3,000 warriors), led by Ivar the Boneless, Halfdan, and Ubba, arrived in 865 and rapidly conquered Northumbria and East Anglia by killing their kings.
• 2.Halfdan captured Reading in winter 870, fortifying it between the Thames and River Kennet as a resupply base for his campaign to conquer Wessex.
• 3.At the Battle of Reading (January 4, 871), the Vikings repelled King Æthelred's attack, killing Ealdorman Æthelwulf and forcing the West Saxons to retreat.
• 4.On January 8, 871, both armies met at Ashdown with roughly 1,000 soldiers each; Halfdan took the high ground and split into two shield wall divisions.
• 5.While Æthelred prayed in his tent, Halfdan advanced; 22-year-old Prince Alfred charged without waiting, clashing shields and holding the Vikings until his brother arrived to flank them.
• 6.Six Viking commanders died at Ashdown, including King Bagsecg and five earls; Halfdan fled 15 miles back to Reading — the Great Army's first decisive defeat.
• 7.Despite Ashdown, Halfdan won subsequent battles at Basing and Merton (where Æthelred was fatally wounded), forcing the newly crowned King Alfred to pay Danegeld to secure Halfdan's withdrawal from Wessex.