Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that
King Alfred’s tactics led to the defeat of the Vikings.
Source A: Asser, a monk, writes about a skirmish in Kent in 885.
The Vikings constructed a strong fortification in front of the entrance to Rochester, on the eastern bank of the river Medway, but they were unable to capture the city, because the citizens defended themselves courageously until King Alfred arrived, bringing them relief with a large army. Thereupon the Vikings, abandoning their fortress and leaving behind in it all the horses they had brought from Francia, not to mention the greater part of their prisoners, fled quickly to their ships at the King’s sudden arrival.
Asser, Life of King Alfred, 893
Source B: A Viking attack is defeated.
In the course of 893 the treaty is broken; the savage Viking Hastein, with a large force, ravages all the lands of the Mercians. The Viking army then residing in the eastern area gives him assistance and the Northumbrian Viking army likewise gave Hastein aid. The distinguished ealdorman, Aethelhelm, then attacks the Vikings with a cavalry force, together with the ealdorman Aethelnoth and the western army of the English. Afterwards King Aethelred of the Mercians joins them, assisting with a mighty army. They wage war with great efforts from both sides and the English obtain the victory.
Chronicle of Aethelweard, ealdorman of the western shires
Source C: King Alfred deals with Viking raids in 893.
The Vikings in East Anglia made a peace with King Alfred but they broke the treaty. Whenever the Viking army based in Kent left their strongholds to plunder the countryside, the East Anglian Vikings joined them. When this was known, King Alfred led part of his army, and left part at home, as was his custom, while other troops were stationed as garrisons in his castles and burhs. He marched with all haste to Kent. He pitched his camp between the two Viking armies on a spot which had natural defences, surrounded on all sides by water and with high rocky banks. If the enemy took the field for the purpose of plundering or fighting, he could give them battle without delay. The Vikings went about plundering, and not only the royal army, but also some of those in the towns, fell on them by surprise, putting them to flight.
Chronicle of Florence of Worcester
Source D: King Alfred constructs ships.
In 896 the Viking armies greatly harassed the coast of Wessex with their warships. Then King Alfred ordered longships to be built. They were almost twice as long as the Viking ships. Some had sixty oars and some had more. They were both swifter and more stable and also higher than the Viking ships. In the same year six Viking ships came to the Isle of Wight and did considerable damage there. Then the King ordered his men to set out with nine of the new ships and they blocked the Vikings off in the estuary from the seaward end.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
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Answer
