Documentary video on Viking England. paul on Battle of Ashdown – Part 1. The Battle of Ashdown, was a West Saxon victory over a Danish Viking army on about 8 January 871. Assessing the situation, Alfred realized that the Danes had occupied a superior position on higher ground. Only two weeks later they were defeated at Basing (Hants) and then at Martin (Dors). Peter did a great deal of detailed research into Alfred and the site of the Battle of Ashdown and the Ashbury historical society has his papers. The Danish armies caught up with the Anglo-Saxons on the field of Æthelred would not cut short his devotions and Alfred risked being outflanked and overwhelmed by the whole Danish army. In 870, the Vikings had conquered all the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms except for Wessex. The other location is Moulsford Bottom. "Viking-Saxon Wars: Battle of Ashdown." Near Lowbury Hill, six tracks meet at Grid Reference SU 534820 where there is now a small wood. Hedley Thorne on Battle of Ashdown – Part 1. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Seeing an opportunity to crush the Saxons, Bagsecg and Halfdan rode out from Reading with the bulk of their army and made for the downs. The king came to the throne in 871 AD and defeated the Vikings at the Battle Of Ashdown in Berkshire, although the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle alleges that a … The West Saxons were led by King Æthelred and his younger brother, the future King Alfred the Great, while the Viking commanders were Bagsecg and Halfdan. Viking-Saxon Wars: Battle of Ashdown. Battle of Meretun In 871, defeat for Wessex, and Aethelred had been seriously wounded. Battle of Ashdown In 871, victory, but nearly cost Alfred his life, as Aethelred joined late after prayers. A white horse, a fort, and an unlikely musical instrument. I’m taking it slowly. Hickman, Kennedy. Though both armies were in place, neither appeared eager to open the battle. The Battle of Ashdown, was a West Saxon victory over a Danish Viking army on about 8 January 871.wikipedia. The 21-year-old Prince Alfred (later Alfred the Great, led the Saxon army of his elder brother, Ethelred of Wessex to victory in battle against an invading force of Vikings. Unfortunately, though the Battle of Ashdown was a resounding victory for the English, their success against the Danes was not to last. They divided their forces into two contingents, one under their kings, Bagsecg and Halfdan, the other under their earls. In those days the wood would have been much larger. Charging, the Saxon shield wall collided with the Danes and battle commenced. Build up to a battle: In 870 the Danes were rampant. But seven years before Edington there was another battle, the Battle of Ashdown, that also resulted in a victory. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the battle took place "about two months" after a prior loss to the Danes at the Battle of Basing.It is known that it occurred in 871 before Easter, which fell on 15 April in that year, as Heahmund, the Bishop of Sherborne, died in the fighting, and his death is listed in the English calendar of saints as 22 March 871. Kennedy Hickman is a historian, museum director, and curator who specializes in military and naval history. Page 1 of 1 - About 10 essays. It was during this lull that Ethelred, against Alfred's wishes, departed the field to attend church services at nearby Aston. The 21-year-old prince Alfred (later Alfred the Great, led the Saxon army of his elder brother, Ethelred of Wessex to victory in battle against an invading force of Vikings led by Halfdan Ragnarson. On the final day one year, in full view of a grandstand full of dignitaries and the general public, two large bodies of cavalry, including the Household Cavalry, came too close for comfort. With their losses mounting and one of their kings dead, the Danes fled the field and returned to Reading. Of no great battle in English history is there so much dispute as to its site as of Alfred the Great’s first victory.It was the only clear victory of the six battles fought in ‘Alfred’s Year of Battles’, so it holds a prominent place in our military history. The location of Ashdown is not known, but may be Kingstanding Hill in Berkshire. Attacking with his army, Ethelred was unable to break through the defenses and was driven from the field by the Danes. The attack failed, and the Anglo-Saxons were forced to retreat while the Danes pursued. Battle of Bryn Onnen I'm not sure how much of an impact this battle had on Wales so I'm not sure how to incorporate this into the article, but it seems that the Battle of Bryn Onnen ('Ash Hill') mentioned in all of the Welsh annals and chronicles (as "Cat brin onnen", "Catwren onnan", &c.) is identical with Ashdown. Battle of Basing In 871, defeat for Wessex by the Danish Army. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/viking-saxon-wars-battle-of-ashdown-2360871. Soon after Easter, which fell on 15 April in that year, Æthelred died and was succeeded by Alfred. Reconstruction of the Battle of Ashdown, 871.. At the Battle of Edington, an army of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex under Alfred the Great defeated the Great Heathen Army led by the Dane Guthrum on a date between 6 and 12 May 878, resulting in the Treaty of Wedmore later the same year. In 872, after a string of defeats, Alfred made peace with the Danes. At Englefield, these raiders were met and defeated by Aethelwulf, the Ealdorman of Berkshire. The year 871 saw a number of battles take place between the Anglo-Saxons under King Ethered and Prince Alfred (later known as Alfred the Great).. By late 870, the Vikings under Halfdan Ragnarsson spurred on by their success in Northumbria, prepared to attack the southern Kingdom of Wessex. A white horse, a fort, and an unlikely musical instrument. The Battle of Ashdown was only one of a large number of battles and skirmishes between the Saxons and the Danes which lasted over several years. Battle of AShdown. The Vikings arrived first at the battle ground and deployed along the top of the ridge, giving them the advantage. The location of Ashdown is not known, but may be Kingstanding Hill[a] in Berkshire. He decided to attack and led his men in a charge up hill. The Battle of Ashdown, was a West Saxon victory over a Danish Viking army on about 8 January 871. In 865, the Vikings banded together and formed what the Saxons called “The Great Heathen Army”. The Battle of Ashdown, in Berkshire (possibly the part now in Oxfordshire), took place on 8 January 871. [9] Tom Brown's Schooldays includes an account of a visit to the battlefield. *Æthelred, king of Wessex, and his brother Alfred gave battle at Ashdown on the Berkshire downs about 8 January 871. The Battle of Ashdown was fought on 8 January 871. Primary sources locate the battle at "Eðandun".Until a scholarly consensus linked the battle site with the present-day town of Edington in … [2][3], The West Saxons were led by King Æthelred and his younger brother, the future King Alfred the Great, while the Viking commanders were Bagsecg and Halfdan. The Battle of Ashdown. Among those struck down was Bagsecg as well as five of his earls. From Compton, near Streatley on the River Thames, to Uffington Castle and various other points east, the Battle of Ashdown has been mooted to have taken place in several places that fit the somwhat vague geographical description given is Asser's life of King Alfred: that of a place where the Danes held the high ground and there was a lone thorn tree. In do so, he has earned the title Alfred the Great but gaining such a title isn’t just that easy. Spotting the Danish advance, 21-year old Prince Alfred, rushed to rally his brother's forces. Download the Battle of Ashdown 2-4 players, Big Battle Ravenfeast By January 871, the "Great Heathen Army" has already overrun two Saxon kingdoms and now invades Wessex. Since writing the New Year blog I’ve felt moved to revisit the experience I wrote of last week – that battle scene at the Uffington White Horse in England. Having conquered East Anglia in 865, they sailed up the Thames and came ashore at Maidenhead. The Danish armies caught up with the Anglo-Saxons on the field of Ashdown, located somewhere near the border of Oxfordshire and Berkshire (the precise location is unknown). With the signal sent out across the downs, he rode to a hill-fort near Ashdown House to gather his men, while Ethelred's men rallied at nearby Hardwell Camp. https://www.thoughtco.com/viking-saxon-wars-battle-of-ashdown-2360871 (accessed April 18, 2021). The Battle of Ashdown, in Berkshire took place on 8 January 871. Prince Alfred the Great, the brother of King Aethelred of Wessex, defeated the invading Danes under Halfdan Whiteshirt and Bagsecg. Battle of Ashdown. Though an enemy, the body of King Bagsecg was buried at Wayland's Smithy with full honors while the bodies of his earls were interred at Seven Barrows near Lambourn. But seven years before Edington there was another battle, the Battle of Ashdown, that also resulted in a victory. A white horse, a fort, and an unlikely musical instrument. "Viking-Saxon Wars: Battle of Ashdown." Uniting their forces, Ethelred and Alfred learned that the Danes had encamped at nearby Uffington Castle. THE BATTLE OF ASHDOWN . Ashdown battlefield at Ashdown repel an invasion The Battle of Ashdown. A wood could provide some shelter for the tribesmen from cold January winds. The victory at the Battle of Edington is probably the most famous moment of Alfred’s career, the story most retold in the histories of ninth century England. The Battle of Ashdown SET UP: 2-4 players The Danish army deploys first, anywhere along the ridge running the length of the table. Seeing that they would have to attack first or be defeated, Alfred ordered the Saxons forward. The victory at the Battle of Edington is probably the most famous moment of Alfred’s career, the story most retold in the histories of ninth century England. The ensuing melee caused many injuries and was referred to as 'The Battle of Ashdown'. I found the best way of viewing this to be by following the footpath th at runs from near Moulsford Pavilion. Why was Ethandun so different? The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that the Battle of Basing was two months earlier, dating it to 22 January, Ashdown fourteen days before that on 8 January, Reading four days earlier on 4 January, Englefield another four days earlier on 31 December 870 and the arrival of the Vikings in Reading three days earlier on 28 December. Battle of Ashdown – Part 1. Alfred became his brother's second in command. Riding to the top of Blowingstone Hill (Kingstone Lisle), Alfred made use of an ancient perforated sarsen stone. Seeking to follow up on Aethelwulf's victory, Ethelred planned an assault on the fortified camp at Reading. The Battle of Ashdown - 871. Battle then raged around a small thorn tree and finally the West Saxons were victorious. If you have any general knowledge about Alfred the Great, you already know he main accomplishment of bringing peace to his kingdom for many years. King Aethelred and his younger brother Alfred (not yet "the Great") muster a small army and march to Ashdown to defend their kingdom from the Danes! While Ashdown was a triumph for Wessex, the victory proved pyrrhic as the Danes defeated Ethelred and Alfred two weeks later at Basing, then again at Merton. 871.In 870 a Danish army camped at Reading and began raiding the surrounding countryside. paul on Battle of Ethandun 878. The struggle raged round a stunted thorn‐bush and, according to the Anglo‐Saxon Chronicle, ‘went on till nightfall’. He has appeared on The History Channel as a featured expert. Alfred the Great and his brother King Athelstan take on the Vikings at the Battle of Ashdown in 871. “Battle of Ashdown” by Matthew Ryan. Hickman, Kennedy. 100% (1/1) King Alfred Alfred King Alfred the Great. [5], Four days later, on about 8 January, the armies fought again at Ashdown. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/viking-saxon-wars-battle-of-ashdown-2360871. The Battle. It was the battle where Alfred won his spurs, so to speak. Find the perfect battle of ashdown stock photo. However, victory proved short lived, as it was followed by two defeats at Basing and Meretun. The Battle of Ashdown Around 850 CE, the Vikings stopped looking at England and Ireland as places to raid or seek mercenary work, but as places to colonize and settle. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our. Alfred the Great, then merely a prince of 21 years age, led King Ethelred of Wessex’s army in a victorious battle against the invading Danes. Both sides formed their forces into shield walls. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. [8], There is an account of the battle in The Namesake by C. Walter Hodges. Becoming King In 871, the Vikings continued to attack. The Saxons deploy second. Although both the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and Asser emphasise Alfred's role in the victory, in the view of Richard Abels it was the attack by Æthelred when he joined the battle which was decisive and he may have intended all along to take the Vikings unawares. On Kingstanding Hill, a candidate for the site of the Battle of Ashdown, looking north over Starveall Farm and Moulsford Bottom, across to Moulsford Downs. It was the battle where Alfred won his spurs, so to speak. In late 870, King Ethelred led the army of Wessex against the Danes in their stronghold at Reading. The king then retired to his tent to hear Mass, while Alfred led his forces to the battlefield. [4], By 870, the Vikings had conquered two of the four Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, Northumbria and East Anglia. Alfred the Great (a local lad from Wantage), then a prince of only 21, led the army of his brother, King Ethelred of Wessex, in a victorious battle against the invading Danes. 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