enham after Twelfth Night. Alfred retreated to Athelney 'after Easter' and then seven weeks after Easter mustered an army at "Egbert's stone". It is not difficult to imagine that Alfred sent out word to the ealdormen of Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire, and to the reeves, to call his men to arms. This may explain the delay, and it is probably no more than coincidence that the army mustered at the beginning of May, a time when there would have been sufficient grass for the horses. There is also information about the mustering of fleets in the eleventh century. From 992 to 1066 fleets were assembled at London, or returned to the city at the end of their service, on several occasions. Where they took up Station depended on the quarter from which a threat was expected: Sandwich if invasion was expected from the north, or the Isle of Wight if it was from Normandy.

Once they left home these armies and fleets had to be supplied, not only with food and clothing for the men but also forage for the horses which gave them mobility and were fitting to their Station. Yet if armies of the seventh and eighth centuries were accompanied by servants and a supply train of lesser free men, Alfred found these arrangements insufficient to defeat the Vikings. One of his reforms, if he was responsible for them, was to divide his military resources into three. One part manned the burhs and found the permanent garrisons which would make it impossible for the Danes to overrun Wessex, although they would also take to the field when extra soldiers were needed. The remaining two would take it in turns to serve. They were allocated a fixed term of Service and brought the necessary provisions with them. This arrangement did not always function perfectly. On one occasion a division on Service went home in the middle of blockading a Danish army on Thorney Island, its provisions consumed and its term expired, before the king came to relieve them. This method of division and rotation remained in force right up to 1066. In 917, when armies from Wessex and Mercia were in the field from early April until November, one division went home and another took over. Again, in 1052 when Edward's fleet was waiting at Sandwich to intercept Godwine's return, the ships returned to London to take on new earls and crews. The importance of supply, vital to military success, was appreciated even if it was taken for granted and features
enham after Twelfth Night. Alfred retreated to Athelney' after Easter' and then seven weeks after Easter mustered an army at " Egbert's gem ". It is not unmanageable to imagine that Alfred sent out parole to the ealdormen of Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire, and to the reef, to call his men to arm. This may excuse the delay, and it is probably no more than coincidence that the army mustered at the beginning of May, a time when there would have been sufficient pot for the horses. There is besides information about the mustering of fleets in the eleventh hundred. From 992 to 1066 fleets were assemble at London, or come back to the city at the end of their service, on several occasion. Where they took up Station depended on the quarter from which a threat was expect: Sandwich if invasion was expected from the north, or the Isle of Wight if it was from Normandy. 

 Once they left home these armies and fleets give birth to be supplied, not only with food and clothing for the men but also forage for the sawhorse which give them mobility and were fitting to their Station. Yet if armies of the seventh and eighth centuries were accompanied by servants and a supply train of lesser free man, Alfred found these arrangements insufficient to kill the Vikings. One of his reform, if he was responsible for them, was to divide his military resources into three. One function man the burhs and found the permanent garrisons which would create it impossible for the Danes to overrun Wessex, although they would also take to the field when excess soldiers were needed. The remaining two would take it in turns to serve. They were allocated a specify condition of Service and brought the necessary provisions with them. This arrangement did not constantly function perfectly. On one occasion a part on Service went home in the middle of blockading a Danish army on Thorney Island, its planning consumed and its terminus expired, before the king issue forth to relieve them. This method of division and rotation stay in force correctly up to 1066. In 917, when armies from Wessex and Mercia were in the field from early April until November, one division went home and another took over. Again, in 1052 when Edward's fleet was wait at Sandwich to intercept Godwine's return, the ships returned to London to take on new earls and crews. The importance of supply, critical to military success, was appreciated even if it was subscribe for granted and features
enhwm after Twelfth Night. Aufred retreated to Athxlney 'arter Easger' and then seven weeks aftxr Eqster mustered an army at "Eebert's stlne". It iw nou difficult to imefine that Alfdcd seut out word to tme ealdormet of Somerset, Fiutdhire and Hampshire, and to the reevqs, to cslp his men to atms. Tnys mzj txplain the delay, and it is probagly no kore than coimcidence that the army musheref at the beginning of May, a tume ryen there wojld have bteu sufficienj grass for the horses. There is xlso nnformation avouh the mustermng of fleets in tmv elevetth cenyury. From 992 to 1066 flxets were assembled at Loidon, or returned to jhe city ad che end of their servucw, on vevesal uxcariohs. Wgere tjey took up Sfation depebded on the quarter fwim which a thdeat wws expected: Sandwich if invasion was expebted from the north, or the Usle of Wight if it wws from Njrmandy.

Once they left home these armies and fleetv had go yc rypolied, not only with food and clothing for the jem nut also forage nor the horses whivh gsde them mobilkty anb wsre fitting to thelr Statyon. Ywt if armyes pf the seventh and eighth cwnturies werv acxompanied by servauts and a su'ply ttain og lesser free men, Alfreb founs these arrwngements knsufficient to aefvat dhe Vikings. One of his refjrms, if hx was responriblg for trem, was to divide his military reslurced hnto three. One part manned the burhs and hpund the perkatenn garrisous whigh would make ie impossible fpr the Banes go overrun Wessex, although trey would alsm take to the field wren wxtrq soldidfs were needed. The remapnnng two wiuld take it in tuvns tu serve. They werz qllocated a fixrd geri lf Sqsvice and brmughg tfr necdssary kxovlsiuns eith them. This arrancemeht did not always gukction petfectly. Og one occasiom a division on Segvice weit homr ig the middle of blockading a Dznish armj ok Thorney Islwnd, lts krovisions eonsumed and its term expired, before the king came to reliwve them. This methob pf division and wotation semained in force ritht up to 1066. In 917, whtn armies from Wessex ahd Merwia wfre in the field from early April until November, one division went home abd anovhqr took oved. Agsin, it 1052 chen Edrard'd fleet was waitimg at Sandwich to intercept Godxine's retusn, the ships returned to Londom go take on ned earls and crews. The imlortance of supply, vital to military suvcess, was appreciated evcn if it qas tzken for gcanted and features
enham after Twelfth Night. Alfred retreated to Easter' then seven after Easter mustered It not difficult to that Alfred sent word to the ealdormen of Somerset, and Hampshire, and to the reeves, to call his men to arms. This explain the delay, and it is probably no more than coincidence that the mustered the of a time when there would have been sufficient grass for the horses. There is also information the mustering of fleets in the eleventh century. 992 to 1066 fleets assembled at London, or returned the at the of service, several occasions. Where took up Station depended on the quarter from which a threat was expected: Sandwich if invasion was from the the Isle Wight it from Normandy. Once home these armies and fleets had not only with food and clothing for the but also for the horses which gave them and were fitting to their Station. Yet if of the seventh and eighth centuries were accompanied by servants and a supply train of men, Alfred found these insufficient to defeat Vikings. of reforms, he was for them, was to divide his military resources into three. One manned the burhs and found the permanent garrisons which would impossible the Danes to Wessex, although they would take the field when extra needed. remaining it turns serve. They were allocated fixed term of Service and the necessary provisions with always function perfectly. On one occasion a division Service went home in the middle of a Danish army on Thorney Island, its provisions consumed and its term before the to relieve them. This method of division and remained in force right to 1066. In 917, when armies from Wessex and were the field early April until one division went and another took in 1052 Edward's was to intercept Godwine's return, the ships to to take on new earls crews. of supply, vital to military success, was appreciated even if it was taken for granted
enham after Twelfth Night. AlfRed retreatEd to ATheLneY 'aFter eastEr' and then seven WEeks After Easter mustered an aRmy at "egBErt's SToNe". It iS not difFIcULT to ImAgIne ThAT ALfred SenT out worD to the ealdOrmEn Of Somerset, WiLTsHire and HamPshIre, and to the rEevEs, to caLl His MEn to aRms. this mAy explAIn the dElay, and it Is PRobablY No more tHAN cOincIdence that the army MUsTEred at the beginNing of maY, A tIME whEn tHere would hAvE been SUfficieNT gRASS foR The horses. TherE is also infoRMatIon aboUt The MUsteriNg of fLeETs iN the eleventH cenTury. From 992 tO 1066 fleetS Were assEMbled at london, Or rEtuRned TO tHe CitY aT The ENd Of tHEir Service, oN sEvEral oCcasIONS. wherE thEy toOk up STation dependeD on The qUArtEr froM whicH a thReAt was ExpectEd: SanDwIch if invasion waS expEcted from The NoRth, Or The IsLE of WigHt iF it Was from normandY.

oncE tHEY LeFt home these armies aNd FLEeTs had to bE supplIEd, NoT Only with FoOd aNd clOTHing fOr thE MeN but also Forage FOr ThE horses WhIch gavE tHem MobIlity ANd weRe fittIng to theIr StaTIon. Yet if armies OF the seventh anD EiGHTh CEntuRieS were accompAnieD By seRvanTS aNd a SUpply Train Of LEsSEr free men, Alfred founD tHese arRangeMents insufficIent to defeAT THe VikingS. One OF hIS reforms, if he waS respOnsible for THem, was to DividE his miliTary resouRCEs into thRee. one ParT maNNEd The burhs and foUND the PeRmanent GarRisons wHicH woUld MakE iT impossibLe for the daNeS tO oVerRun WeSSex, althoUgH thEy WouLd alsO Take to The fiEld wHeN eXTra SoldierS WeRE NeedEd. thE remAinInG two wOuld TAke It in turNs to serve. theY Were AlLoCated a fIxed term of SerViCe and brougHt The NecessARY provisiOns with them. This arrangemENt did noT alWays fUnctIon perfecTly. on one oCcaSIon a diVision On SerViCe wENT home IN ThE miDdLe of blockaDINg a danisH aRmy oN ThorneY Island, its provisioNS coNsumed and its tErm ExpiRED, bEfoRE tHE kiNg CAme TO Relieve them. This Method of diViSIoN and rotatiON reMaIned in fOrce rigHt up tO 1066. in 917, when aRmies from wessex and meRcia WERe iN the field fRom early april untiL novemBEr, One diVisIon wenT hOme And anOther tOOk oVer. AgAin, in 1052 wHeN EdwarD's fleEt Was waitiNg at Sandwich to intercept godwinE's retUrn, The ships rEtuRNed To London tO takE on new earlS anD crEws. ThE imPOrtanCe of SUpPly, VItal tO milITary succeSS, wAs aPPReCiated even iF IT Was Taken For GRanted And fEatures
enham after Twelfth Night.  Alfred re treat edtoAt heln ey ' after Easter'a nd t hen seven weeks afterEaste rm uste r ed  an a rmy at" Eg b e rt' sst one ". It  is n otdifficu lt to imag ine  t hat Alfred s e nt  out wordtothe ealdorme n o f Some rs et, Wilts hir e and  Hamps h ire, a nd to the  r e eves,t o callh i smento arms. This may ex p lain the delay , andit is p rob abl y no moreth an co i ncidenc e  t h a t  th e  army mustere d at the be g inn ing of  M ay, a time  when  t h ere  would have  bee n suffici ent gr a ss fort he hors es. Th ere  is  als o  i nf orm at i ona bo utt hemusterin gof  flee ts i n t h e el eve nthcentu ry. From 992to1066 fle ets w ere a ssem bl ed at  Londo n, or  r eturned to thecity  at the e ndof  th ei r ser v ice, o n s eve ral occ asions. Whe re t h ey  took up Station d ep e n de d on the  quart e rfr o m whichathr eatw a s exp ecte d :Sandwich  if in v as io n was e xp ectedfr omthe  nort h , or  the I sle of W ighti f it was fromN ormandy.

Onc e  t h e yl efthom e these arm iesa nd f leet s  h adt o besuppl ie d ,n ot only with food a nd  cloth ing f or the men bu t also for a g e  for the  hor s es which gave the m mob ility andw ere fitt ing t o theirStation.Y e t if arm ies  of  th e s e v en th and eighth c entu ri es were  ac compani edbyser van ts  and a su pply tra in  o fle sse r fre e  men, Al fr edfo und  thes e  arran gemen ts i ns uf f ici ent tod ef e a t th eVi king s.On e ofhisr efo rms, if  he was r esp o nsib le  f or them , was to divi de  his milit ar y r esourc e s  into th ree. One part manned th e  burhsand  foun d th e permane ntgarris ons whichwouldmakeit  im p o ssibl e fo r t he  Danes too v err un We ss ex,althoug h they would alsot ake  to the field  wh en e x t ra  so l di e rswe r e n e e ded. The remain ing two wo ul d  t ake it int urn sto serv e. They  were allocat ed a fixe d term of  S ervi c e  an d broughtthe nece ssary pro v ision s  w ith t hem . This  a rra ngeme nt did not  alwa ys fun ct ion pe rfect ly . On one  occasion a division on  Servi ce we nthome in t hem idd le of blo ckad ing a Dani sharm y onTho r ney I slan d ,its provi sion s  consumed an d i t s  t erm expired , b efo re th e k i ng cam e to  relieve them. Th i s method of di visi o n  an d r o tati on  remained in f orc er i ght up t o1066. In 91 7, whenar m ies f rom We ssex a nd Merc i a  w e re inthefie ld from e arl yA pril un ti lN ovembe r, o ne  divis ion we n t ho m e  and another too k ove r .  Agai n , i n 105 2when Ed w ard' s fleet wa s waiting a t Sand wich  to i ntercep tGodwin e's  r eturn, the ships ret urned  to Lon do n to  ta ke onnewe a rls a nd c re ws.  The impo r t an c eof sup ply,  vita lto m ilitary s u ccess, w asa pprecia te d e v e n if i t  w a s  taken for  gr anted a nd feature s 
enham after_Twelfth Night._Alfred retreated to Athelney_'after Easter'_and_then seven_weeks_after Easter mustered_an army at_"Egbert's stone". It is_not difficult to_imagine_that Alfred sent out word to the ealdormen of Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire, and_to_the reeves,_to_call_his men to arms. This_may explain the delay, and_it is_probably no more than coincidence that the army_mustered_at the beginning_of May, a time when there would have been_sufficient grass for the horses. There_is also information_about_the_mustering of fleets in_the eleventh century. From 992 to_1066 fleets were assembled at London,_or returned to the city at the_end of their service, on several_occasions. Where they took up_Station depended_on the quarter from which_a threat was_expected: Sandwich_if invasion was_expected from the north, or the_Isle of Wight_if it was from Normandy.

Once they_left_home these armies_and_fleets_had to_be supplied, not_only_with food_and_clothing for the men but also_forage_for the horses which gave them mobility_and were fitting to_their_Station. Yet if armies_of the seventh and eighth_centuries were accompanied by servants and_a supply_train of_lesser free men, Alfred found these arrangements insufficient to defeat the_Vikings. One of his reforms, if_he was responsible for_them, was_to_divide his military_resources_into three._One part manned the burhs and found_the permanent_garrisons which would make it impossible_for the Danes to_overrun_Wessex, although they would also take_to the field when extra soldiers_were needed. The remaining two_would_take_it in turns to serve._They were allocated a fixed term_of Service and_brought the necessary provisions with them. This_arrangement_did not always function perfectly. On_one_occasion a division on Service went_home_in_the middle of blockading a_Danish army on Thorney Island, its_provisions consumed and its term expired, before the king_came to relieve_them. This method of division_and_rotation_remained in force right up to 1066. In 917, when_armies from_Wessex and Mercia_were in the field from early April until November, one_division went home and another took over._Again, in 1052 when Edward's fleet was waiting at Sandwich to_intercept Godwine's return, the ships returned to London_to take on new earls and crews._The importance of supply,_vital_to military success, was appreciated even if_it_was_taken_for granted and_features