Chippenham is a town in southwestern England where the Vikings almost captured Alfred

Edington is a town in southwestern England where Alfred defeated Guthrum

the area that Alfred allowed the Vikings to rule was called the Danelaw

when someone changes to a new religion or belief they have converted

The Anglo-Saxon fightback

History

In ‘The Vikings: why did they come to the British Isles?’ pupils learn about how and why the Vikings began to settle in Britain. In ‘The Great War: how did the Great War affect my local area?’ pupils momentarily leave their study of Viking Age Britain to consider the impact of the First World War on their local area at an appropriate time in the school year.

In 'The Anglo-Saxons: how do we know about life in Anglo-Saxon England?' pupils learnt about Anglo Saxon culture and society in more detail, and the evidence base for the claims that historians make about this period. In 'The Vikings: why did they come to the British Isles?' pupils learn about another wave of migration to Britain: the Vikings.

n this unit, pupils learn about the period in which Viking invaders first came to Britain. They learn about the Vikings themselves and the conflict that emerged between them and the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England. Pupils also learn about the roles of Aethelred and Alfred the Great in this period.

The Vikings: why did they come to the British Isles?

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Neither the Vikings or Anglo-Saxons were victorious.

Which statement accurately describes the outcome of the battles at Essex between King Alfred and King Guthrum?

Where did Guthrum launch a surprise attack on King Alfred?

Viking King Guthrum began to attack Wessex. 

Guthrum launched a surprise attack on Chippenham. 

Alfred took refuge in the marshes and prepared an attack.

Alfred rode out to challenge Guthrum and the Vikings at Edington.

Alfred was victorious and this forced Guthrum to withdraw from Wessex.

Order the events, starting with the earliest.

What city did Alfred drive the Vikings out of in 886 CE?

Alfred divided Britain and allowed the Vikings to rule some areas.

The Vikings left Britain and travelled across the sea to return to Danelaw.

Vikings controlled areas of Britain which were called the Danelaw.

Alfred was forced to become part of the Viking empire.

Which statements accurately explain what happened to Britain after the battle at Edington?

Complete the sentence.  As part of the peace agreement, Guthrum converted to {{ }} and King Alfred served as his godfather.

Complete the sentence.  To {{ }} something is to resist an attack being made against it.

Order the battles, starting from the earliest, that happened between Aethelred and the Vikings.

Who became king of Wessex after Aethelred died in 871 CE?

King Alfred formed a connection with Mercia.

Wessex was left in peace for a few years.

King Alfred formed a connection with Danish chief Guthrum.

Wessex became richer and had improved trade links.

Which statements correctly describe the direct impact of King Alfred's bribery of the Vikings?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

The Anglo-Saxon fightback

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.