Guthrum

Guthrum, a prominent figure in the late ninth century, was the King of East Anglia and a native of Denmark. He emerged as a leader of the formidable 'Great Summer Army' that arrived in Reading in April of eight hundred seventy-one, joining forces with the Great Heathen Army. Their collective ambition was to conquer the kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon England, and they achieved significant victories, overrunning East Anglia, Northumbria, and parts of Mercia, even threatening Alfred the Great's Wessex.

However, the tide turned at the Battle of Edington in eight hundred seventy-eight, where Alfred's forces ultimately defeated the Danes. Following this defeat, Guthrum retreated to his stronghold, where he faced a siege laid by Alfred. In a pivotal moment, Guthrum surrendered, leading to a significant transformation in his life.

As part of the surrender terms, Guthrum was required to be baptized as a Christian, adopting the name Æthelstan. This act not only marked a personal change but also solidified the agreement between him and Alfred. The Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum that followed established clear boundaries between their territories and laid the groundwork for peaceful trade and the weregild value of their people, which is recognized as the foundation of the Danelaw.

Guthrum ruled East Anglia under his baptismal name until his death, leaving a legacy intertwined with the history of Anglo-Saxon England and the Viking Age.