During the early 9th century, the Danes were always a threat to the Anglo Saxons in nearby England. The Danes were skillful warriors and maintained a powerful military strength by sea. Could the English fight such a mighty foe?
Rise of Danelaw
Beginning in 800, the Danes led a series of sea attacks on the poorly defended English coast and gradually captured parts of England. In 865, Danish settlers began arriving and laying claim to English land.
The Danes first took control of East Anglia in 867. Securing a hold on East Anglia, they launched a surprise attack on Northumbria. The Danes defeated Northumbria's splintered defenses which were caught between a civil war over the Northumbrian throne. The Danish King Gunthrum ignored the claims of both the deposed king and his usurper and placed an English puppet king on the Northumbrian throne.
The Danes went after Mercia next. Despite attempts from King Ethelred I of Wessex to block their progress, the Danes surged forward. Gunthrum forced King Burgred of Mercia to purchase peace and accept Danish rule. By 871, the Danes controlled East Anglia, Northumbria and Mercia. Anglo Saxon England began to refer to the areas under Danish rule as Danelaw. Only Wessex and few small independent kingdoms remained unconquered.
The Fight for Wessex
The Danes were determined to conquer Wessex, which was under the rule of King Alfred the Great by 871. Even though Alfred's army could not match the skills of the Danish forces, the Danes could not easily capture Wessex. A combination of surprise attacks on small bands of Danes, temporary peace negotiations and competent defensive measures kept the Danes at bay.
For a number of years the Danes inched forward into Wessex despite peace treaties and frequent scrimmages between the two enemies. Between 875 and 877, it appeared that the Danes had the upper hand with a presence in parts of Wessex such as Dorsetshire and Exeter. Yet, Alfred's army laid siege on the Danes and forced them back to Mercia.
In 878 Gunthrum grew tired of the lack of progress in capturing Wessex. He led a large army to Wessex, intent on capturing Alfred and establishing Danish rule. Gunthrum ordered a second Danish force to block any possible escape route that Alfred may attempt. The plan might have worked had Alfred been trapped between two armies. However, the second Danish force made the mistake of attacking a small English fortress and was defeated before they ever had a chance to lay a trap for Alfred. Even though the Danes did not capture Alfred then, his forces were outmatched. He was forced into hiding for a few months to prevent capture.
After sending Alfred into hiding, Gunthrum may have thought the victory was imminent. However, Alfred suddenly appeared with a strong army and laid siege on the Danes at Edington. When Gunthrum surrendered, all hopes for a Danish victory in Wessex were dashed.
The Fall of Danelaw
The failure to capture Wessex led to the eventual fall of Danelaw. The Danes honored the peace treaty signed by Gunthrum for ten years. During that time Alfred established control over all parts of England not under Danish rule and strengthened the army. The unification of England, the strong defenses and organized army prevented the Danes from capturing more English lands. Gradually the English take back control of the Danelaw lands. By 954 when Edward the Elder, forced Eric Bloodaxe out of Northumbria, Danelaw was no more.
Sources:
Williamson, David, Debrett's Kings and Queens of Great Britain
Asser, Bishop of Sherborne, The Life of King Alfred
 |
