King Alfred of Wessex and Viking Settlement

Flashcards covering the Viking invasion of Britain, the reign of King Alfred the Great, the creation of the Danelaw, and the eventual unification of England.

When did the Vikings first decide to settle in Britain, rather than just raiding?

Around the year 850.

When and by whom was the city of York captured?

In November 866 by an army of Danish Vikings.

Which three Anglo-Saxon kingdoms had the Vikings conquered by 870?

Northumbria, East Anglia and much of Mercia.

What were the geographical reasons for Vikings leaving Norway and Denmark?

Norway was very hilly, making it a struggle to grow crops, while Denmark's sandy soil limited the number of animals that could be reared.

How did Viking inheritance laws encourage young men to join the army?

Only eldest sons inherited farmland, so younger brothers needed to join the army to make their own wealth.

At what age and in what year did Alfred become king of Wessex?

In 871 at the age of 22, following the death of his father Aethelred.

Where was King Alfred forced to hide after the Viking attacks of 876?

The Isle of Athelney in the Somerset marshes.

What was the significance of the Battle of Edington in May 878?

King Alfred beat the Vikings and established peace terms, including the conversion of the Viking leader Guthrum to Christianity.

What was the 'Danelaw'?

The area in the north and east of the country where the Vikings settled and maintained their own laws and customs.

According to the transcript, which days of the week have Viking names?

Thursday (named after Thor) and Friday (named after Freya).

What do the Viking suffixes 'by', 'thorpe', and 'thwaite' mean in English place names?

'by' means homestead or village; 'thorpe' means new village; 'thwaite' means meadow or piece of land.

What were 'burhs' and when did Alfred begin building them?

Burhs were fortresses or castles built across the country from the 880s to strengthen England's defences.

What term did Anglo-Saxons begin to use for themselves under Alfred's rule?

Angelcynn (the English).

Which ruler conquered Northumbria in 927 and is argued by some to be the first real 'King of England'?

Athelstan, the grandson of Alfred.

Until what year did York have Viking rulers?

954.

Who was king when the country became as settled as it had been for generations in 959?

Edgar the Peaceful (Alfred's great-grandson).