Overview
Guthrum
(d. 890) king of the East Angles
Quick Reference
(d. 890).
Viking leader, king in East Anglia, and major opponent of King Alfred. Guthrum probably first appeared in England as leader of the ‘great summer army’ which joined the forces commanded by Halfdan at Reading in 871. When the army split up in 875, Guthrum returned with his contingent to Wessex. In 878 he nearly succeeded in capturing Alfred at Chippenham, but was defeated by Alfred at the battle of Edington later the same year. Guthrum was subsequently baptized with Alfred as his godfather and took the new name of Athelstan. He retired with his forces to rule East Anglia and issued coins there in his baptismal name.
From: Guthrum in A Dictionary of British History »
Subjects: History — Regional and National History
