Battle of Ashdown, 871 ⚔️ Alfred the Great takes on the Viking 'Great Heathen Army' ⚔️

In January 871, Alfred the Great, then a prince of only 21, led an army in battle against the invading Vikings, commanded by Halfdan, one of Ragnar Lothbrok's sons. For his valiant defence of his kingdom against a stronger army and his reforms in the reconstruction of Wessex and beyond, he became known as 'the Great' - no other English king or queen earned that sobriquet.