UK Citizenship Practice Test 2025 - Free Citizenship Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Battle of Edington, fought in 878, is seen as the decisive turning point in the Viking wars in England. This battle was significant because it marked a crucial victory for King Alfred the Great against the Viking forces led by Guthrum. Following a series of successful Viking invasions, the battle resulted in Alfred's decisive tactics, which not only helped to defend his kingdom of Wessex but also laid the groundwork for the eventual unification of England under his lineage.

The aftermath of the battle led to the Treaty of Wedmore, where Guthrum agreed to convert to Christianity and accept a boundary separating the Saxon kingdom from the Danelaw, the land controlled by Vikings. This effectively curtailed Viking expansion into England and established a period of relative peace and consolidation for the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Understanding the significance of Edington provides insight into how the power dynamics shifted in England as a result of the conflict, influencing the future of the English monarchy and the cultural landscape of Britain.