Alfred's newly designed warships — longer, higher, and faster than Danish longships — engaged Danish raiders in the Solent. Nine Danish ships were met by six English vessels; the English captured two Danish ships and killed most crews on three others. However, the English ships grounded at low tide, preventing complete victory. This episode is the founding narrative of the English navy. Asser describes Alfred's new ships as designed on his own conception.
Alfred's warships: c. 6–10 ships. Danish fleet: c. 3–6 ships.
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