At Merton (probably in Wiltshire, not Surrey), the West Saxons initially gained the upper hand but were ultimately defeated. King Aethelred died of wounds shortly after — possibly at this battle. Alfred, at 21, succeeded his brother. The Chronicle records nine major engagements in 871 alone. Alfred was now king of a kingdom that had fought itself nearly to exhaustion.
King Aethelred mortally wounded; Bishop Heahmund of Sherborne killed
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