King Alfred Flashcards
(106 cards)
1
Q
What were the three weaknesses if the system of military recruitment and organisation in Alfred’s early reign?
A
It took considerable time to mobilize fyrds due to the 5 hides system.
Fyrds who dealt with local conflicts would often make peace with the Vikings to save the kingdom.
Fyrds were commanded by Thegns who showed more loyalty to their ealdormen than to the crown.
2
Q
What is a Fyrd?
A
An Anglo-Saxon military force.
3
Q
In 878 which Ealdormen made peace with the Vikings whilst trying to escape and regroup in Somerset?
A
The Ealdorman of North Wiltshire.
4
Q
What were the group of Vikings called that attacked England in 865?
A
The Great Heathen Army.
5
Q
Who led the Great Heathen Army?
A
Halfdan Ubbe and Ivar
6
Q
What were the group of Vikings called that attacked England in 871?
A
The Great Summer Army
7
Q
Who led the ‘Great Summer Army’?
A
Guthrum
Oscetel
Anwend
8
Q
Viking threat in the mid 9th century was raiding and pillaging, what did it change to later in the 9th century?
A
Conquering and settlement
9
Q
In 850 how many ships were in a Viking fleet?
A
Up to 50
10
Q
How many ships were in a fleet after 850?
A
Around 150-250
11
Q
How many warriors could a Viking ship hold?
A
40-60 Warriors
12
Q
Where in England were the Vikings targeting in 876, 877 and 880?
A
876 Northumbria
877 Mercia
880 East Anglia
13
Q
Order the Anglo-Saxon kings from Aethelwulf to Alfred.
A
Athelwulf
Aethelberht
Aethelbold
Aethelred
Alfred
14
Q
Where did Alfred go when he was 4 with Aethelwulf?
A
Rome
15
Q
When was the first evidence of Danegeld?
A
865 East Anglia
King Edmund pays of the Vikings
16
Q
Which northern city was taken by the Vikings in 866?
A
York
17
Q
What happened in 868 in Nottingham?
A
Burghred of Mercia allies with Aethelred against Vikings.
Eventually Vikings are paid off
18
Q
Which Anglo-Saxon King died in 869?
A
Edmund of East Anglia
19
Q
Why did Edmund of East Anglia die?
A
Tactical Error.
He engaged in battle to quickly
20
Q
What battle happened in 871?
A
Battle of Ashdown
21
Q
Who won the Battle of Ashdown?
A
Anglo-Saxons
22
Q
Who led the Anglo-Saxons during the battle of Ashdown?
A
Aethelred and Alfred
23
Q
How many battles were there in 871?
A
9 battles
24
Q
Where was the first instance of King Alfred paying the Vikings off?
A
Wilton
Around 871
25
When doe Aethelred die?
Shortly after the Battle of Ashdown
26
What did Asser describe Alfred as fighting like during the Battle of Ashdown?
'A Wild Boar'
27
Why did Asser say King Alfred lost at Wilton?
'Alfred had already lost many key nobles'
28
In 874 the Vikings had conquered the northern half of Mercia but who did they send into exile?
Burghred of Mercia
29
Who was Burghred of Mercia?
Alfred's brother in law
King of Mercia
30
Where did the Danes launch a surprise raid in 876?
Wareham
31
What does Alfred do to minimise the threat of the Vikings at Wareham?
Tries to create a peace deal
32
What does Alfred make Guthrum do to swear loyalty to him at Wareham?
Swear on a Pagan ring
33
What happened to Guthrums fleet on the way to Exeter?
A lot of Guthrums ships were destroyed in a storm on the way to Exeter
34
Where do the Danes target in 877?
Exeter
35
What does Alfred do to get rid of the Vikings at Exeter?
Pays them off (Danegeld)
36
Where did the Vikings attack in 878?
Chippenham
The Feast at the Royal Ville of Chippenham
37
When in 878 was Chippenham surprise raided?
On Twelfth Night
38
Who wins at Chippenham in 878?
The Vikings conquer Chippenham and Alfred flees to Athelney in Somerset
39
What propaganda was produced about Alfred's time in Athelney?
Alfred's dream about St Cuthbert that encourages him to fight back.
Burning of the cakes.
Disguised as a minstrel.
40
What did Alfred do during his time at Athelney that shows good information gathering?
He spent months raiding Vikings and Christians who were helping the Vikings.
41
What does Alfred's raids during his time at Athelney show?
Shows he was strong enough to launch counter raids
Shows good information gathering
42
What happened at Edgar's Stone?
The Ealdormen of Wiltshire, Somerset and Hampshire join Alfred to fight the Great Summer Army
43
Which Viking leaders where killed by Odda of Devon?
Cynuyt
Uba - brother of Ivar the boneless
44
When was the Battle of Edington?
878
45
Who won the Battle of Edington?
A total and utter victory for Alfred
46
After the Battle of Edington is won and the Vikings have retreated what does Alfred do?
Alfred pursues the Vikings to a stronghold and besieges them which leads to their surrender
47
What negotiations start between Alfred and Guthrum after Alfred's victory at Edington?
Peace at Wedmore
48
What does Guthrum accept during the Peace at Wedmore negotiations?
Guthrum accepts Alfred as his godfather.
He converts to Christianity and his name changed to Aethelstan
49
What does Guthrum give to Alfred at the Peace at Wedmore?
Hostages
50
What shows that Guthrum stuck to the Peace at Wedmore agreement?
In 879 Vikings at Fulham lauch a raid on Wessex but Guthrum refuses to join them.
Guthrum also mints coins in East Anglia under the new name Aethelstan as Saxon King of East Anglia
51
What happens in 885 at Rochester and Benfleet?
Alfred attacks Guthrums fleet but Guthrums fleet overpowers Alfred.
52
What was signed in 886?
A treaty between Alfred and Guthrum?
53
What were the terms of the treaty between Alfred and Guthrum in 886?
Werguild payments to be the same worth for an Anglo-Saxon and a Dane
No moving from each sides from servants or slaves
Watling Street boundary set up. Alfred had South of Watling Street.
54
Where does Alfred take in 886?
London
55
What word is used by Asser making it ambiguous as to whether Alfred captured London from the Danes or just occupied it?
Gasette
56
London is split into two parts what are they called?
Londonwic
Londonburg
57
Who was given control over Londonburg?
Aethelred (Ealdorman of Mercia)
58
What does wic mean?
Anglo-Saxon trading centre
59
When do the Vikings return after 885?
893
60
What two sources are created in 893 in response to the return of the Vikings?
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
Asser's Life of King Alfred
61
What point of view is the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle written from?
Wessex
62
What is Asser's life of King Alfred?
A Panegyric
63
What is a Panegyric?
A written piece designed specifically to praise someone.
64
Why did Asser write Asser's Life of King Alfred?
To appeal for support for Alfred from Mercia and Wales at a time when Vikings where re-invading?
65
What battle shows evidence that Asser's Life of King Alfred united Mercia, Wales and Wessex?
Battle of Bullington 893
Wessex, Mercians and Welsh figh alongside against the Vikings.
66
When does Alfred die?
899
67
What was the role of thegns under Alfred?
To do the fighting and were part of the King's household.
68
How many Ealdormen per shire under Alfred?
1
69
What were many of the Ealdormen during Alfred's reign?
Major Landowners
70
What was the role of Ealdormen under Alfred?
To enforce law
Levying the Fyrd
71
What problem did Alfred face with Ealdormen?
There was always competition between Ealdormen
72
Alfred had Thegns and Ealdormen under what system so he could keep track of them?
Rotational duty system
1 in every 3 months would be spent with Alfred
73
What was the role of reeves under Alfred?
They were local officials
They were in Burhs on a rotational basis (making sure market prices were fair).
74
When did Asser join the Royal Household?
885
75
What was the role of the Witan under Alfred?
To help select new King
Giving advice to the King
Synod (Church meetings)
76
What was the role of the clergy under Alfred?
To provide spiritual advice (teaching the King to read and write)
Get military support by having people pray for victory in battles.
77
Where was Asser Bishop of?
Sherbourne
78
When was Alfred's law code created?
Around 895
79
What were Alfred's motives for creating the law code?
He referenced Offa King of Mercia and Ina King of Wessex to promote his image as one of the greatest Kings
There was also heavy religious belief as many people thought that the Vikings raiding was a punishment from god so it is linked with mosaic law.
Also a heavy emphasis on oath taking therefore may have wanted to improve loyalty.
80
What was in Alfred's law code?
Protecting the poor
Reducing blood feud
Trials by ordeal and oath taking
81
What impact did Alfred's law code have?
His law code had very little internal opposition showing people weren't against it.
However, there is no evidence to suggest that it was actually followed.
Created more loyalty due to it's heavy emphasis on oath taking.
82
Who had used the Buhr system before Alfred?
Charles the Bald of Francia
83
Where did Alfred build the Buhrs?
In existing towns
In old Roman towns e.g. London and Portsmouth
Some built in existing forts
84
What was the Burghal Hidage?
It was a document produced with every Buhr and the size of these Burhs.
85
Where were there not many Burhs?
In Cornwall
86
What was important about the Buhr at Oxford?
It was used for Flax Retting (Making Linum)
87
There was a requirement in the Oxford Buhr was was it?
For Dwellers to be self-sufficient
88
What was the Winchester Buhr?
A Royal Ville
Kings buried there
89
What did Alfred put in the Winchester Buhr?
A Coin mint
90
What were the economic functions for Burhs?
They were centre for markets and some became royal mints
91
What was the defensive function for Buhrs under Alfred?
They were all 20 miles away from another Buhr.
Alfred gave precise orders on size of Buhrs and number of men at each Buhr.
They were incredibly affective against Viking raid tactics.
92
Why was Chichester Buhr special?
It was strategically positioned on the coast.
93
Who was Alfred asking about in Falco's letter?
Grimbald
94
What were Grimbald and John the Old Saxon responsible for?
Translations
95
Why was Alfred's relationship with Grimbald and John the Old Saxon good for him?
It improved his connection with the Continent
96
Who was Plegmund?
Mercian who was given title of Archbishop of Cantebury by Alfred
97
Where was Asser from?
Wales
98
What does Asser do in 887?
Teaches Alfred personally
99
What was Asser rewarded with for teaching Alfred?
Monasteries
100
Why did Alfred write a letter to Fulco?
The quality of priests in Anglo-Saxon England was not good
101
Why did Alfred reform education in Anglo-Saxon England?
His own personal love of learning
To create more control
He believes this is his way to please god
To boost his own status
102
What is significant about Gregory's pastoral rule?
It was Alfred's first translation so emphasises Alfred's view
103
What does Alfred do to Boethius's consolation of Philosophy?
Makes it more religious
104
What are the two translations done by Grimbald and Waeferth?
Gregory's dialogue and
Bede's ecclesiastical history of the english people
105
Name 2 more of Alfred's personal translations?
Book of Psalms
St Augustines Soliliques
106
What were the majority of Alfred's translations?
Religious
