welfth night, January 878, Alfred was in his court in Chippenham when Guthrum returned. A daring attack in the middle of winter. It was totally unexpected and decimated what was left of the army. Many of Alfred's court fled to France. He, with a small band of followers, retreated to Athelney in Somerset. Here he planned his counter attack and where the legend of him burning the cakes originated. For some time, his fortune was not known. By using messengers, he made his people aware that he was still alive and what he would be expecting of them. I am sure he had no idea how he was ever going to regain his power with what he had available until another stroke of good luck came his way. Around Easter time 878, another flotilla of about 23 longboats and their men landed on the rocky Devon coast. They were met by the Saxons and routed. Only a few managed to escape. 800 to 1000 Vikings died that day. When Alfred heard the news he became determined to break out of his retreat and regain his kingdom. Alfred sent his messengers to his people who were suffering under the Viking subjugation to rally to the cause. A meeting place known as Egbert's stone was chosen, as it was a well known place that would be familiar only to them. The fyrd assembled in force and prepared. Alfred knew, via his spies, that the main Viking force were still at his own centre of administration, Chippenham. Alfred and the fyrd advanced to Ethandun, which is now known as Edington, and challenged Guthrum to battle. Guthrum had no choice but to accept. This was a all or nothing conflict that Alfred had to win. Alfred used a tactic which was used successfully by the Romans known as the shield wall. It consisted of enclosing your troops in an wall of shields ( see photographs). This has the effect of creating a mobile fortress that is very difficult to penetrate. If the shield men are wounded or killed, they would be removed and the wall closed ranks. Through the wall would be placed spears to halt head on charges. The wall however would be difficult to maintain indefinitely. When it was broken down, traditional fighting would take place. The fyrd fought for their freedom and were motivated to fever pitch. The battle continued all day until eventually, Alfred and his men were victorious. It was at this point, Alfred became the Great. It was within his power to totally destroy Guthrum and his men. Instead he offered peace with the proviso that Guthrum and his men were baptized. This, they readily accepted. Not only did he allow Guthrum to escape with his life, but offered to split England in two, Wessex and the south to the Saxons and the area already populated by Viking settlers in the north, to them. This time, Alfred seemed to come to his senses and prepared for the eventual treachery of the Vikings. ( His preparations and more of his life are included in the kings section ). For the next fourteen years, there was an uneasy peace. In France, the story was different. In 885 a massive Viking invasion force attempted to take Paris and northern France. King Charles the Fat, managed to fight off the attack on Paris until starvation and other hardships halted the Norse progression.