"The Battle of Ashdown, fought on 8th January 871 in southern England, saw the Kingdom of Wessex defeat the Great Heathen ( Viking) Army. This was the first major defeat of the Viking army, which had arrived in England in 865 and had conquered several Anglo- Saxon kingdoms. While the conflict between the Wessex and the Vikings continued for several months into 871 and beyond, Ashdown demonstrated that the Viking army could be defeated, giving the English hope for future battles."
"Wessex at the time was ruled by King Aethelred (reign 865-871), but his younger brother - and soon-to-be successor - Alfred the Great (reign 871-899), played a decisive role in the victory at Ashdown, proving himself a capable military commander and ensuring the West Saxon nobles backed his succession later in 871. Alfred spent most of his reign locked in a struggle with the Vikings, but secured his kingdom through victories at the Battles of Edington in 878 and the Battle of Buttington in 893."
The Battle of Ashdown on 8 January 871 in southern England marked Wessex's defeat of the Great Heathen (Viking) Army, the Vikings' first major setback after arriving in 865 and conquering several Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. The victory showed that the Viking army could be beaten and bolstered English hopes despite continued fighting into 871 and beyond. King Aethelred ruled Wessex while his younger brother Alfred played a decisive role at Ashdown, proving military capability and securing noble support for his later succession. Knowledge of Ashdown depends heavily on The Life of King Alfred by Bishop Asser, which provides a pro-Alfred yet detailed contemporary battle account.
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