The Danes in England stage a surprise…
878 CE
The Danes in England stage a surprise attack in 878 on Alfred’s headquarters at Chippenham, overwhelming and routing the West Saxons.
Alfred calls for a general mobilization following the Chippenham defeat.
He decisively defeats the Danes late in 878 at Ethandun (modern Edington).
Driving his foes from the field, he pursues them and successfully besieges them at Chippenham, compelling their evacuation and achieving a treaty between Alfred and Guthrum, the Viking ruler of East Anglia.
Guthrum converts to Christianity and takes on the Christian name Æthelstan with Alfred as his godfather.
Guthrum's conversion to Christianity serves as an oath or legal binding to the treaty, making its significance more political than religious.
Politically, Guthrum’s conversion to Christianity does nothing to loosen the Danish hold on the lands that he has already acquired via conquest.
Instead it not only garners Guthrum recognition among Christian communities he rules, but also legitimized his own authority and claims.
By adopting the Christian name of Æthelstan, which is also the name of Alfred’s eldest brother, Guthrum’s conversion "reassures" his newly acquired subjects that they will continue to be ruled by a Christian king rather than a heathen chieftain.
As agreed, Guthrum leaves Chippenham and moves to Cirencester.
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