Battlefields›Alfred at Athelney — Refuge and Resistance Organisation
Early Medieval

Alfred at Athelney — Refuge and Resistance Organisation

878
England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Danish foraging parties
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Alfred with a small household guard
Outcome
Alfred preserved; Wessex resistance maintained; fyrd eventually mustered at Egbert Stone
The Battle

History & Significance

After the Danish seizure of Chippenham, Alfred took refuge at Athelney in the Somerset marshes; from this base he organised covert resistance across Wessex, receiving intelligence, raiding Danish foragers, and preparing the muster that would lead to the victory at Edington.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Alfred at Athelney — Refuge and Resistance Organisation

Burrow Mump: a motte castle, later chapel and associated earthworks
Scheduled monument · ~0.9 miles
Anglo-Saxon occupation site and site of Athelney Abbey on Athelney Hill
Scheduled monument · ~1.3 miles
Balt Moor Wall
Scheduled monument · ~1.5 miles
Anglo-Saxon burh at East Lyng
Scheduled monument · ~1.9 miles
Duck decoy on Middle Moor
Scheduled monument · ~2.5 miles
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Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
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