The Anglo Saxon Chronicle

The Anglo Saxon Chronicle is a history book that was begun in Alfred's reign. This is an extract.

CE 878 This year about mid-winter, after twelfth night, the Danish army stole out to Chippenham, and rode over the land of the West Saxons; where they settled, and drove many of the people overseas; and of the rest the greatest part they rode down, and subdued to their will; and all but Alfred the king. He, with a little band, uneasily sought the woods and fastnesses of the moors.

In the Easter of this year (878) King Alfred with his little force raised a work at Athelney; from which he assailed the army, assisted by that part of Somerset-shire which was nighest to it. Then, in the seventh week after Easter, he rode to Brixton by the Eastern side of Selwood; and there came out to meet him all the people of Somersetshire, and Wiltshire, and that part of Hampshire which is on this side of the sea; and they rejoiced to see him. Then within one night he went from this retreat to Iley; and within one night after he proceeded to Heddington; and there fought with all the army, and put them to flight, riding after them as far as the fortress, where he remained a fortnight. Then the army gave him hostages with many oaths, that they would go out of his kingdom. They told him also, that their king would receive baptism. And they acted accordingly; for in the course of three weeks after, king Guthrum, attended by some thirty of the worthiest men that were in the army, came to him at Aller, which is near Athelney, and there the king became his sponsor in baptism; and his crisom-leasing was at Wedmor. He was there twelve nights with the king, who honoured him and his attendants with many presents.