JCC

One of the most significant challenges faced by medieval England was undoubtedly the series of Viking invasions. Initially driven largely by the pursuit of wealth and plunder, Viking incursions gradually developed into attempts to establish permanent settlements and expand territorial control. This transformation fundamentally altered the nature of the conflict and contributed to the collapse of several Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. By this stage, Wessex remained the only kingdom capable of maintaining its independence.

It was in this increasingly unstable period that serious resistance to Viking expansion began to take shape. Alfred, King of Wessex, mobilized the forces and resources available to him in an effort to halt the Viking advance. His ability to resist and eventually force a Viking retreat represented a major turning point in the conflict and secured the survival of Wessex at a time when its existence was under considerable threat.

This committee will examine the period defined by the conflict between Alfred the Great and the Vikings, focusing on the military, political, and territorial developments that shaped the future of England.