Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum

Quick Facts: Who was Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum?

Subject:

Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum

Known for:

9th-century peace treaty establishing boundaries and trade terms between Wessex and East Anglia.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum is a 9th-century peace agreement between Alfred of Wessex and Guthrum, the Viking ruler of East Anglia. It sets out the boundaries between Alfred and Guthrum's territories as well as agreements on peaceful trade, and the weregild value of its people. In 865, the Great Heathen Army landed in East Anglia with the intention of conquering all of the English kingdoms.

Career & Major Achievements

During its campaign, the Viking army conquered the kingdoms of East Anglia, Mercia, and Northumbria. It initially overran the Kingdom of Wessex, but Danish King Guthrum was defeated by Alfred's army at the Battle of Edington in 878. Under the terms of his surrender, shortly afterward, Guthrum was obliged to be baptised to endorse the agreement, as well as to allow him to rule more legitimately over his Christian vassals but remaining pagan to his pagan vassals.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He was then with his army to leave Wessex. That agreement is known as the Treaty of Wedmore. Sometime after Wedmore, a treaty was agreed that set out the lasting peace terms between the two kings, which is known as the Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum

True or False: “True or false: The Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum was primarily a military document detailing battle strategies.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The treaty was fundamentally a diplomatic and legal document, establishing peaceful boundaries, trade agreements, and weregild values, not military tactics.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Treaty of Alinagar — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: 1757 treaty between British East India Company and Nawab of Bengal.
• Treaty of Allahabad — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: 1765 treaty granting the East India Company Diwani rights over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
• Treaty of Alliance (1778) — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Defensive alliance between France and the US during the American Revolutionary War.
• Treaty of Almizra — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: 1244 treaty defining borders between Aragon and Castile regarding Al-Andalus.
• Treaty of Alton — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: 1101 agreement recognizing Henry Beauclerc as King of England from Robert Curthose.
• Treaty of Altranstädt (1706) — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Treaty of Altranstädt (1706): Ended Swedish occupation of Poland by forcing Augustus the Strong to renounce claims.

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