Edington

Whitsuntide of that year (878), Alfred was able to leave his marshland fortress and meet with his supporters from Hampshire and Wiltshire at "Egbert's Stone" (location unknown, probably somwehere South of Frome). There he received intelligence on the position of Guthrum's army, now complacently resting on the Northern edge of Salisbury Plain.

Alfred gathered his forces, and set out across the plain to Edington. Once again, this was a royal estate which Alfred knew well, so he was able to bring his forces right on to the Danish encampment at the first light of dawn.

The rout was complete. The Danes retreated to Chippenham, but Alfred's men followed them and evicted them from their new headquarters.

Guthrum himself survived the rout, but was quick to accept that his ambitions in Wessex were over. Within three weeks of Edington, he and thirty of his most important men arrived at the church nearest to Athelney (Aller) - to be baptised into the Christian faith - with Alfred as sponsor.

Athelney

Alfred the Great