Anglo-Saxon England · 865-899

Alfred the Great and the Danelaw

In 878 a Danish army surprises the king of Wessex, who escapes into the marshes with a small band. Students follow Alfred's comeback, map the line between Wessex and the Danelaw, and ask how a king on the run became "the Great".

Teach it live New Open on the map
Length
50 minutes
Ages
10–13
On the map
3 steps, AD 900
Live lesson
7 rounds, 3 on the map
Worksheet
Two A4 pages, with Classroom
You need
A projector; phones for live

Live lesson · new in Classroom

Teach it live. The class answers on their phones.

Put the board on the projector. Students join with a six-digit code, no account needed, and tap the map: where was the frontier, where did the grain come from. Their pins drop in together when you reveal, and the closest student takes the round.

€19 per month: every lesson live, every worksheet, cancel anytime. Rome at its height runs live for free.

A live lesson on the projector: the class's pins on the map around Alexandria, the closest students listed beside it A student's phone: the question and a map to tap
7 rounds
3 places to find on the map, quiz questions, a class vote and a one-line answer.
About 15 minutes
Run it as the map step, or to open the discussion. You move on with the space bar.
A report
Every answer, per student and per round, to read back or print after the lesson.
1

Introduction

5 min

Read aloud

In 878 a Danish army surprises the king of Wessex, who escapes into the marshes with a small band. Students follow Alfred's comeback, map the line between Wessex and the Danelaw, and ask how a king on the run became "the Great".

By the end of the lesson, students can

  • Describe the threat of the Great Heathen Army to the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms after 865.
  • Explain how Alfred defended Wessex with burhs, ships and treaties.
  • Locate the border between Wessex and the Danelaw and explain its lasting effects.
2

Explore the map

15 min

Project the map, or let students follow on their own devices. Each step opens the map at the right year and place.

a

AD 900

England in 900

Open the map in 900 on England. Find Wessex in the south. Which other kingdoms and peoples share the island with it?

Open this view on the map
b

AD 878

Into the marshes

Zoom in on Somerset in the southwest. In 878 Alfred hid on the island of Athelney, surrounded by marshes. Why are marshes a good hiding place for a small band?

Open this view on the map
c

AD 900

Norse place names

Zoom in on Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on the basemap. Look for town names ending in -by or -thorpe, which come from Old Norse. Are they common north or south of London?

Open this view on the map
3

Class discussion

15 min

Pick two or three. They run from what happened to why it mattered.

  1. The Great Heathen Army stayed for years instead of raiding and sailing home. Why was that a bigger danger?
  2. The story of Alfred burning the cakes was written down long after his death. Why do legends grow around famous people?
  3. After his victory, Alfred became Guthrum's godfather. Why make peace with an enemy instead of destroying him?
  4. Alfred wanted young free men to learn to read English. Why would a war leader care about reading?
  5. Alfred is the only English king called "the Great". Do you think he deserves it?
4

Game round

10 min

Play Rule History as Charlemagne. Alfred's family was linked to him by marriage: Alfred's stepmother Judith was Charlemagne's great-granddaughter. Afterwards, discuss: which ideas about war, learning and the Church did both kings share?

Open Rule History
5

Worksheet

5 min

This worksheet comes with Classroom

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