The Rise of Alfred the Great

Dr. Elnor Barraclough Tracks the Great Heathen Army Across Anglo-Saxon England

Dr. Eleanor Barraclough follows the Great Infernal Army throughout Anglo-Saxon England.

As the large pagan Viking armies refused to leave Anglo-Saxon England, pressure mounted on the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms to respond, placing the future of the land in the hands of Alfred the Great.

In this second episode of History Extra's four-part podcast series on the Viking invasion of England in the 9th century, historians James Osborne and Dr. Eleanor Barraclough examine the areas conquered by Viking forces and the rise of Alfred the Great amid the collapse of Anglo-Saxon resistance.

Want to know more about the fight between Alfred and the Vikings? James Osborne brings together essential material from the HistoryExtra archive that examines this important moment in Viking and Anglo-Saxon history - including insights into Viking culture, the everyday experience of Anglo-Saxon communities, Alfred's use of religion and learning as a tool for political renewal, and the long legacy of English and Danelaw culture. Go beyond podcasts

James Osborne is a senior content producer at HistoryExtra

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