Timeline January 871

Events in January 871 3

• 871 Battle of Reading Viking army repels a West Saxon assault on their fortified camp On 4 January 871, King Aethelred of Wessex and his brother Alfred attacked the Viking-held town of Reading. The defenders sallied out and routed the West Saxon force, killing the ealdorman of Berkshire in the fighting. The defeat opened a hard winter campaign between Wessex and the Great Heathen Army.
• 871 Battle of Ashdown Alfred and Aethelred rout the Great Heathen Army On 8 January 871, King Aethelred of Wessex and his brother Alfred defeated a large Viking force at Ashdown, killing a Viking king and several jarls. It was one of the few major West Saxon victories of the campaign and a formative moment in Alfred's later reputation as a war leader. The Vikings regrouped and resumed raiding into Wessex within weeks.
• 871 Battle of Basing Viking forces defeat the West Saxon army On 22 January 871, the Viking army defeated King Aethelred's forces at Basing in Hampshire. The battle was part of the prolonged winter campaign the Danes waged against Wessex. West Saxon resistance continued under Aethelred and Alfred despite the setback.