Wedmore Treaty of

After the defeat of the Viking Guthrum by Alfred the Great at the battle of Eddington in May, a treaty was signed at Wedmore in 878 A.D. This allowed Guthrum to leave on the understanding that he did not return. The treaty made provision for the Vikings by sectioning England to allow the Danes to have there own land and governance. This was a generous gesture by Alfred because he could have totally destroyed him and his men. Showing compassion was not usual in those times and indicates the great leader he really was. Guthrum accepted baptism. For a Viking this would have been considered blasphemy. The signing of the treaty secured Wessex as the predominant kingdom.