Treaty of Wedmore


The Treaty of Wedmore is a 9th century accord between Alfred the Great of Wessex and the Viking king Guthrum the Old. The only contemporary reference to this treaty, is that of a Welsh monk Asser in his biography of Alfred,. In it Asser describes how after Guthrum's defeat at the Battle of Edington followed by his surrender some days later, a peace treaty was agreed with Alfred. The treaty was conditional on Guthrum being baptised and also Guthrum and his army leaving Wessex.

Misinterpretation and confusion

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for 878 has a similar description to Asser, it details Alfred's movements before, during and after the Battle of Edington. It describes Guthrum's surrender, his baptism at Wedmore and the twelve days of celebration. The only reference to an accord at Wedmore is that from Assers "Life of Alfred". If there was a formal treaty, contemporary with the events at Wedmore in 878, no such document still exists. However a truce was made; and at a later date a formal treaty was agreed. This one was known as the Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum and it defines the boundaries between Alfred and Guthrums territories as well as agreements on peaceful trade, and the weregild value of its people. This document still survives
and is part of the Laws of Alfred. The treaty is seen as a precursor to the formation of Danelaw.
The two treaties, that is the Treaty of Wedmore and the Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum have often been confused with each other. It is possible that the Treaty of Wedmore in 878, where Guthrum had to accept baptism and leave Wessex was a verbal agreement. The formal written Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum dividing up the kingdoms followed some years later.

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