Alfred's War: The Guerrilla Years Before Edington

In the late 870s, King Alfred the Great of Wessex wasn't yet 'great' — he was a desperate fugitive, hiding in the marshes of Athelney after a devastating Danish invasion scattered his army. This episode tells the story of Alfred's guerrilla resistance during the year before his decisive victory at the Battle of Edington in 878. We explore how Alfred used the Somerset Levels as a base, waging a hit-and-run war against Guthrum's Viking army, and how a mysterious nobleman named Æthelnoth — who may or may not have been a historical figure — helped keep the king alive. Drawing on Asser's Life of King Alfred, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, and later medieval legends, we separate fact from folklore, including the famous (and almost certainly fictional) tale of Alfred burning the cakes. This is the forgotten, scrappy chapter of the king's struggle — a story of resilience, betrayal, and the forging of a ruler who would one day unite England. #AlfredTheGreat #GuerrillaWarfare #SomersetLevels #Athelney #VikingWars #Guthrum #AngloSaxonEngland #Wessex #BattleOfEdington #MedievalHistory #BritishHistory #Asser #LifeOfKingAlfred #AngloSaxonChronicle #AlfredBurningCakes #Æthelnoth #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo