Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that King
Alfred found it difficult to defeat the Danes.
Source A: The Chronicle gives an account of Alfred’s success at Edington.
878 In the seventh week after Easter the king rode to Selwood and there came out to meet him all the people of Somerset and Wiltshire and part of Hampshire and they rejoiced to see him. Then within one night he went on to Iley and within one more night he proceeded to Edington. He fought there with all the [Danish] army and put them to flight, riding after them to their fortress where he remained a fortnight. The Danes gave him hostages with many oaths that they would go out of his kingdom. They told him also that their king would receive baptism.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 878
Source B: Alfred and Guthrum make peace.
This is the peace that King Alfred and King Guthrum, and the witan of all the English nation, and all the people that are in East Anglia, have all ordained and with oaths confirmed, for themselves and for their descendants.
Concerning our land boundaries: up on the Thames and then up to the Lea and along the Lea to its source, then straight to Bedford, then up the Ouse to Watling Street.
We all ordained on that day that the oaths were sworn that neither slave nor freeman might go to the enemy host without leave, no more than any of them could come to us. But if it happens that from necessity any of them will have trade with us or we with them, in cattle or in goods, that is to be allowed.
The Peace of Wedmore, c.878
Source C: Asser, a monk, writes about how Alfred took refuge at Athelney.
In 878 the Viking army left Exeter and went to Chippenham, a royal estate, and spent the winter there. By strength of arms they forced many men to sail overseas, through both poverty and fear, and very nearly all the inhabitants of that region submitted to their authority. At the same time, King Alfred with his small band of nobles and also with certain soldiers and thegns, was leading a restless life in great distress amid the woody and marshy places of Somerset. He had nothing to live on except what he could forage by frequent raids, either secretly or even openly, from the Vikings as well as from the Christians who had submitted to the authority of the Vikings.
Asser, Life of King Alfred, 893
Source D: Florence of Worcester, a monk and historian, describes events in 876.
King Alfred made a firm treaty with the pagan army. The condition was that they should depart from his dominions and they gave him as many hostages as he demanded and swore on the relics, on which before they had refused to swear, that they would quit his kingdom as soon as they could. Notwithstanding, false as ever and regardless of their oaths and hostages, they broke the treaty and, killing all the king’s horse-soldiers, stole away suddenly.
Florence of Worcester, Chronicle, written before 1118
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Answer
