How Alfred the Great saved the Anglo-Saxons from the Vikings

How Alfred the Great saved the Anglo-Saxons from the Vikings

From HistoryExtra podcast by Immediate

April 18, 2026 · 33 min · Episode 2521

About this episode

The episode discusses how Alfred the Great achieved a military victory against the Vikings at the battle of Edington.

As the Viking Great Heathen Army advanced to the borders of Wessex, the conquest of Anglo-Saxon England appeared all but complete. In the third episode of our Sunday Series on the Viking invasion of Anglo-Saxon England in the ninth century, James Osborne is joined by historian Dr Eleanor Barraclough to examine how Alfred the Great rose from the cusp of defeat to a stunning military victory at the battle of Edington. ––––– GO BEYOND THE PODCAST To deepen your understanding of this pivotal moment in Viking and Anglo-Saxon history, James Osborne has selected some essential reading and listening from our archives: https://bit.ly/412VTIB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: James Osborne

Guest: Dr Eleanor Barraclough

Topics covered

  • Alfred the Great
  • Vikings
  • Anglo-Saxon history
  • military victory
  • battle strategies
  • 9th century

Keywords

  • Alfred the Great
  • Vikings
  • Anglo-Saxons
  • battle of Edington
  • military history
  • 9th century

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Viking Great Heathen Army

Places: Wessex, Anglo-Saxon England

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