Alfred the Great III - The Ethandun Campaign

After Alfred and Guthrum had arranged a truce at Exeter and with Guthrum retreating back into Mercia.Within five months Guthrum had reinforced his army and on the twelfth night, while the Saxons celebrated there holy period, Guthrum and his Viking Allies launched a surprise attack at Alfred’s Royal estate at Cippanhamm. It is here in the most inhospitable of conditions of sea-flooded swamp, the Sommerset Levels, that Alfred with a handful of followers, was to make a seemingly impregnable fortress at Althelney. It was from that King Alfred was to launch a guerrilla campaign against his Viking tormentors. Within five months the King’s forces defeated the Viking Army of Guthrum in a pitched battle at Ethandun. Kings are of great importance in this series of games. When they are leading the warriors in combat your moral and thereby fighting ability is increased, without them weakened. Of course the loss of a King in battle can also mean the loss of your cause. However, in this era risks must be taken to take and hold the crown.