Battle of Ashdown, 871 ⚔️ Alfred the Great takes on the Viking 'Great Heathen Army' ⚔️ Part 1/2

🚩 In January 871, Alfred the Great, then a prince of only 21, led an army in battle against the invading Vikings, commanded by Halfdan, one of Ragnar Lothbrok's sons. For his valiant defence of his kingdom against a stronger army and his reforms in the reconstruction of Wessex and beyond, he became known as 'the Great' - no other English king or queen earned that sobriquet.

📢 Narrated by David McCallion

🎼 Music:
Filmstro

#vikings #history #ragnar

[brianboru]

What's impressive about Alfred is that pretty much everything was going against him to become king. He was a surprise baby, the youngest of 4 sons, and his parents were elderly (for the time) when they had him. He was such a surprise to them that they didn't give him the Aethel part of the names of nearly all the Wessex Kings, instead giving him the name Alfred, Elf-counsel. He wasn't exactly weedy from what I understand but his brothers were much more the warrior type than he was. He was also scholarly minded and it's theorized he suffered from a chronic irritation of the bowels that could leave him on his back for days at a time. But somehow he managed to be astoundingly fearless in battle and always led from the front during every fight he led.

[RushlockMedia]

As a fan of The Saxon Tales, it's great to see the historical non fiction version of events as well!

[altsw]

As an Alfred who is not nearly so great, I'm so glad you made this video.

[SmilingGator]

Alfred the Great. A man who was truly great. He may not have lived to see his dream of a united England, but without him it would not have existed.

[YaBoiFetz]

This dude has by far the best voice of the history channels

[danielsantiagourtado]

Yes! A video on the Savior of the Saxons and Vanquisher of the Great Heathen Army! He's one of my favorite Kings of all time! Thanks for this man! You're the best!

[conradnelson]

It’s amazing how much history is packed into England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Every Cross Roads has a story going back to Stonehenge. Amazing.

[brunolima]

This part of European history deserved to be featured more in movies/shows. The Viking era was short, but brutal in every aspect. Great job as always.

[joaovictornave]

For those who want to experience this better, the Mount & Blade Warband: Viking Conquest DLC has this battle as it’s final story, with a few historical licenses. Edit: and you can choose your side a few missions earlier.

[SolidAvenger]

Another great video by HM. What I like about HM over some other historical channels is that they always consider the primary source material while trying to present an outside POV of other alternate sources & a common sense approach that continues to have people debate about a specific event's own narrative. For example, from 17:26 to 17:46, regarding the King's record during the battle

[simonedallachiesa]

I remember when I was 9 or 10 my father took me to see the movie Alfred the Great. Young Alfred studied ancient Greek or Roman texts and learned of the shield wall formation. The Danes were beating on their shields before battle shouting "Valhalla! Valhalla!". I soon wrote a novel inspired by the story.

[lovesagt]

Netflix has the BEST TV series on this subject, it's called The Last Kingdom. The shows begins after the fall of Northumbria. The King was killed in battle and his son is taken captive.

[wedgeantillies]

Ashdown was a key victor for the west saxons as it not only broke the back of the myth of the invincibility of the great army, as well as giving them a belief that they could and would defeat the enemy. That would prove vital in the dark days ahead. Given that the history of the first part of Alfred's reign is that of a triumph against all the odds and overcoming adversity by never giving up the fight, even when it looked hopeless.

[SyTheMetalhead]

Born and bred Wessex boy, grew up near King Alfred's Tower(one of the mustering points), dad was born in Athelney where King Alfred burnt the cakes so the videos about the great heathen army and the battles with the forces of Wessex are of special interest to me. Thank you for the excellent videos

[greatbriton]

These are super great videos! It's history brought to life. Not made into boring date lists, not made grotesquely funny, not pushed into anything. We just look back in time to see who was doing what to who, how, and what they wanted. Amazing.

[PeterOkeefe]

your simple and enjoyable version of history will interest many of the young. For that I am grateful

[LostDisciple]

To me, Alfred the Great ranks high up there with Julius Caesar. He may not be a great conqueror like Caesar, but his defensive strategies are to be commended, not to mention, his civic duties as well.

[chessmastertactics]

Thanks for uploading this. Great work, i hope a great overall documentary about Alfred's heroics and reformation of his kingdom comes next! I have studied the life and deeds of Alfred the Great and i have to say that he stands out as the greatest Anglo-Saxon king, a merciful and learned man who had a deep interest in learning and a talent for just administration. His military victories were just as important as his law-giving and revival of education in Wessex. His work set the basis for the formation of England by his successors (son and grandson). Keep up the good work, respect from Greece ;)

[slore.]

I appreciate the responsible assertions and supplementary detail boxes! This channel is standing out among others of its kind.

[odd-ysseusdoesstuff]

We should get more stories from the Viking Invasions! Not only in England, but also in Scotland, Ireland, Russia, France, Lithuania, and many more!