Alfred the Great was the king of the sole remaining Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex after a period of intense Viking activity in England. He manages to hold back the Great Heathen Army of the Vikings, led by the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok.

Guthrum, on of the leaders of the Great Summer Army, joined forces with The Great Heathen army in an attempt to conquer Alfred. However, Alfred was victorious at the Battle of Edington in 878.

It was not until six years later that a treay was signed between Alfred and Guthrum, which effectively created the Danelaw; the division of England between the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings.