The most decisive battle of Alfred's reign and one of the most consequential in English history. After emerging from hiding in the Somerset marshes, Alfred summoned the Somerset, Wiltshire, and Hampshire fyrd at Egbert's Stone, then marched to Edington and met Guthrum's army in pitched battle. The West Saxons formed a shield-wall and drove the Danes from the field, pursuing them to Chippenham. Guthrum surrendered, agreed to baptism, and accepted the Treaty of Wedmore, which divided England into English and Danish zones. Without this victory, there might have been no England.
Heavy Danish losses; army besieged and starved into submission
This battlefield is listed on the Register of Historic Battlefields — a national designation identifying Britain's most significant battle sites for protection and further research. Reference: ENG 58.
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