Chapter I, Asser's Life of King Alfred, Paragraphs 33 - 90 Summary and Analysis

In 871, the Viking army left East Anglia and attacked the West Saxons. The Christians were victorious there and four days afterward King Aethelred and his brother Alfred combined forces. They then went to Reading and fought the Vikings, but were turned back. The Christians were in grief and ashamed and Asser then recounts the events of the battle. In a later battle, five Viking earls and one of two Viking Kings were killed in battle. The battle continued on and off for several weeks; the Vikings ultimately won and were reinforced by another Viking army.

The same year, after Easter, King Aethelred died after being a just king; Alfred, the heir apparent, took over. He was initially concerned that he could not repel the Vikings...