Having devastated Mercia and East Anglia, the Great Heathen Army invaded Wessex in late 870 and established a fortified camp at Reading. Ealdorman Aethelwulf attacked the Danish foragers at Englefield with initial success, then joined King Aethelred and Alfred in a full assault on Reading. They were repulsed with heavy losses and Aethelwulf was killed. This opened the most intense campaign of the Viking wars, with four more major battles in a single year.
Ealdorman Aethelwulf killed; heavy West Saxon losses
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