1.3 why was alfred able to defeat the vikings? Flashcards
What is a shield wall?
A common military tactic where soldiers stand shoulder-to-shoulder and interlock shields to improve their defence.
What is a burh?
A fortified settlement for armed soldiers.
Who was Guthrum?
Viking king who was Alfred’s main opposition.
What is Lundenwic?
Viking London.
What 2 military problems did Alfred face with defeating the Vikings? Give potential solutions.
-Vikings have a strong hold on the North of England>made it easy to launch attacks on the south>Alfred cannot do anything about this=major problem. He could only prevent this by policing the Southern borders.
-Viking army was fast and mobile>can move around Wessex with ease>Wessex cannot respond quick enough>Alfred could only either: force them to come to you, muster armies faster.
What 2 political problems did Alfred face? Give potential solutions.
-Aethelwold (Alfred’s nephew) challenged Alfred’s claim of united rule as incorrect>divided his authority>he couldn’t kill his nephew (can’t kill royals)>instead Alfred send him to be a monk.
-Some of Alfred’s family and lords of Wessex formed alliances with the Vikings if it suited their needs>Alfred couldn’t trust his own family>Alfred publicly hung 15/25 ealdormen.
What are 6 reasons why Alfred won?
Leadership, politics, logistics, military reform, chance and propaganda/religion.
How did propaganda/religion help Alfred win?
Alfred used his retreat in Athelney to make the best of propaganda and religion. He spread the story that he was visited by St Cuthburt, personally, to boost the idea that he was chosen by God and would succeed.
How did chance help Alfred win?
At Athelney, Eldorman Odda won a decisive victory against the Viking leader Ubbe>Ubbe’s army was no longer pressuring Alfred>he was left with the time to focus on fighting Guthrum.
How did leadership help Alfred win?
Alfred was able to muster 4000 soldiers to assemble at Eddington in 878 and beat the Vikings in battle, these men came from separates shires and fyrds>shows excellent leadership and organisation.
How did politics help Alfred win?
Alfred used his control of London in 886 to forge a closer alliance with the Mercians through marriage and exchange of goods, first time Anglo-Saxons had united under one ruler.
How did military reform help Alfred win?
Rotation of soldiers between fighting and farming>boosted morale as soldiers knew they would not be fighting indefinitely.
How did logistics (managing how resources were acquired) help Alfred win?
Alfred started using burhs to establish and regulate supply lines and trade>soldiers didn’t have to feed off the land for supplies and had a steady stream of support.
