Early English History

Early England 410 - 1066

Danish Invasions Ashdown 8th January 871

Alfred appears prominently on the stage of history, for the first time, during the dreadful tragedy of 871, in his twenty third year,when, as Asser says, " The army of the pagans, of hateful memory, came to the royal town of Reading, when the Danish chieftains, with a powerful escort of cavalry, sallied out for the purpose of obtaining booty. Others of them dug a trench between the two rivers, the Thames and the Kennet, to the right of the town. Ethelwulf, the earlerman of Berkshire, met them with his troops, at a place called Englefield, (Inglefield,) and an engagement, obstinately contested on either side, took place. At length, after a long resstance, one of the Danish chieftains having been slain, and a great part of their army destroyed, the rest of the Danes fled, and yielded the victory to the saxons. "Four days after these engagements, Ethelred, king of the west saxons, and his brother Alfred, with their collected forces, advanced to Reading.

As they drew near to the gate of the town, cutting down all the pagans who were without the walls, the Danes suddenly rushed out upon them with all their fury. Long and fiercely was the contest waged on either side, at last however, the saxons fled, and left the victory in the hands of the Danes. In this conflict, Ethelwulf, the ealderman, fell with many others But the saxons, urged on by shame and grief, again after four days, offered battle with all their forces and a ready mind, at a place called Aescesdun (Ashdown,) which is literally Ashtree hill. The saxons determined that king Ethelred, with his division, should oppose himself to the two Danish kings, Alfred, his brother, was to encounter the attack of the other pagan leaders. When all things had been arranged on either side, the Danes came soonest to the place of combat. King Ethelred was still detained by his devotions, but Alfred, (although then possessing only a subordinate authority,) no longer able to endure the defying presence of the enemy, and forced either to retreat from before them or lead his troops at once against them, resolved at once to take a decisive step. Ethelred did not arrive, with manly courage, therefore, impetuous as the wild boar, and fully relying on the help and assistance of God, Alfred led his troops in condensed order against the Danes. And here it must be noted, that the place of contest, was not equally favorable to both parties. The Danes, occupied the higher position, whilst the saxons drew up their line of battle, upon the lower ground. The two armies clashed together with a fearful clamour, one army, wickedly seeking that which was not theirs, and the other fighting for their life, their country and all that was dear to them.

The Danes dividing thenselves into two bodies, raised their shields into a tortoise arch, the command of the chief body, they gave to their two kings, of the other body, the command was entrusted to their chieftains, several of whom was with them. When the saxons perceived this disposition of the forces of the enemy, they divided themseves in like manner, and imitated their array. Alfred, with his division of the troops, pushed on with eagarness to the place of combat, as indeed, I have learned from those who witnessed it, and are worth of credit. But King Ethelred, his brother remained in his tent, engaged in prayer, and hearing mass, and declaring, that he would not leave alive till the priest had finished, nor quit the service of God for man.

When the battle had been carried on for some time, with equal spirit and bravery, on both sides, the Danes, being able not longer to endure the impetuous attacks of the saxons, betook themselves to an ignominious flight, though not until the greater part of their forces had been slain. On the field of battle, one of the pagan kings and five of their chieftains were slain, and many thousands of the pagans, not only on that spot, but but over all the plains of Aescesdun, far and wide, fell by the swords of the Anglo saxons." King Ethelred died of wounds, recieved in a later battle in 871. Alfred became the next king of the Anglo saxons. He would have many ups and downs during his reign, 871 to 901.

Wargaming ancients

http://www.warlordgames.com/11071/new-ancient-british-warriors/

Danish Invasions Ethandune ( Edington ) May 878

Danish Invasions Assandune ( Ashingdon ) October 18th 1016

Battle fought between Edmund Ironside and the Danish forces of Cnut. Cnut won, It was agreed to the partition of England, Edmund would rule in Wessex and Cnut in the north, Edmund died in november and Cnut was made king of england in 1017, England was to remain in Danish control for 25 years.