Selwood Forest, winter, 878 AD
Selwood Forest, winter, 878 ADTheir first foray out of the forest was enforced, following scouts’ reports of a planned Viking raid on Shaftesbury. This hilltop settlement near the Wiltshire border vaunted a flourishing minster church, which doubtless attracted the Norsemen, ever thirsting for treasure. They split their forces into three separate encampments within a radius of two leagues for better concealment and rapid reaction.
Assembling the men of his camp, King Alfred told Ealdormen Deormund and Faruin the news of the forthcoming Viking incursion.
“One of our spies has revealed that a force of Norsemen is on its way to Shaftesbury, intending to sack the minster church. My man tells me their number is that of two longship crews—four-score warriors. We
