Guthrum

Guthrum was King of <a href="/facts/Kingdom_of_East_Anglia/zRs6CmLY">East Anglia</a> in the late 9th century. Originally a native of Denmark, he was one of the leaders of the "Great Summer Army" that arrived in <a href="/facts/Reading%2c_Berkshire/QH9uGAJY">Reading</a> during April 871 to join forces with the <a href="/facts/Great_Heathen_Army/QFQ8af0b">Great Heathen Army</a>, whose intentions were to conquer the kingdoms of <a href="/facts/Heptarchy/4db4CTnT">Anglo-Saxon England</a>. The combined armies were successful in conquering the kingdoms of <a href="/facts/Kingdom_of_East_Anglia/zRs6CmLY">East Anglia</a>, <a href="/facts/Kingdom_of_Northumbria/fkVzk6xc">Northumbria</a>, and parts of <a href="/facts/Mercia/pdznosKY">Mercia</a> and overran <a href="/facts/Alfred_the_Great/NuHFVuRU">Alfred the Great</a>'s <a href="/facts/Wessex/V7SlDm1k">Wessex</a> but were ultimately defeated by Alfred at the <a href="/facts/Battle_of_Edington/UJ8sAtxc">Battle of Edington</a> in 878. The Danes retreated to their stronghold, where Alfred laid siege and eventually Guthrum surrendered.
Under the <a href="/facts/Treaty_of_Wedmore/kfDo6kBz">terms of his surrender</a>, Guthrum was obliged to be <a href="/facts/Baptism/wEY6gtGA">baptised</a> as a Christian to endorse the agreement and then leave Wessex. The subsequent <a href="/facts/Treaty_of_Alfred_and_Guthrum/QRGnKjeJ">Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum</a> set out the boundaries between Alfred and Guthrum's territories, as well as agreements on peaceful trade and the <a href="/facts/Weregild/BHmL1YIp">weregild</a> value of its people. The treaty is seen as the foundation of the <a href="/facts/Danelaw/oJI9BdIm">Danelaw</a>. Guthrum ruled East Anglia under his baptismal name of Æthelstan until his death.

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Guthrum