THE SCANDINAVIAN INFLUENCE: THE VIKING AGE
Near the end of the OE period English underwent a third foreign influence, the result of contact with another important language, the Scandinavian. For some centuries the Scandinavians had remained quietly in their northern home. But in the eighth century a change, possibly economic, possibly political, occurred in this area and provoked among them a spirit of unrest and adventurous enterprise. They began a series of attacks upon all the lands adjacent to the North Sear and the Baltic. Their activities began in plunder and end in conquest. The first is the period of early raids, beginning according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles in 787 and continuing with some intermissions until about 850. The raids of this period were simply plundering attacks upon towns and monasteries near the coast.
The second stage is the work of large armies and is marked by widespread plundering in all parts of the country and by extensive settlements. The eastern part of England was now largely in the hands of the Danes, and they began turning their attention to Wessex. The assault upon Wessex began short before the accessions of King Alfred (871-899). Even the greatness of this greates of English kings threatened to prove insufficient to withstand the repeated attacks of the Northmen. But Alfred’s courage and persistence triumphed. The result was an overwhelming victory for the English and a capitulation by the Danes (878). The Treaty of Wedmore, which was signed by Alfred and Guthrum the same year, marks the culmination of the second stage in the Danish invasions. Wessex was saved. The Danes withdrew from Alfred’s territory. But they were not compelled to leave England. In addition the Danes agreed to accept Christianity, and Guthrum was baptized. This last provision was important. It might secure the better observance of the treaty and, what was more important; it would help to pave the way for the ultimate fusion of the two groups....