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Alfred the Great, King Cnut and Kenneth MacAlpin

Study note

The Viking threat helped to bring the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms together. They united under King Alfred the Great, who is remembered above all for defeating the Vikings in battle and halting their advance.

The story did not end with conflict, however. Many Vikings stayed on in Britain, mixing with the local people, and some of them became Christians. After Alfred, Anglo-Saxon kings continued to rule England, broken only by a short stretch of Danish kings. The first of these Danish rulers was Cnut, who is also known by the name Canute.

Events in the north of Britain followed a similar pattern. There, the danger of Viking attack pushed the local peoples to unite under a single ruler, Kenneth MacAlpin. It was around this time that the name Scotland began to be used. Keep three names straight: Alfred the Great beat the Vikings, Cnut was the first Danish king, and MacAlpin is linked with the rise of Scotland.

Memory tip: Alfred the Great beat the Vikings; Cnut = first Danish king; MacAlpin = the name 'Scotland'.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 4

Which Anglo-Saxon king united the kingdoms of England and defeated the Vikings?

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Show all questions and answers for Alfred the Great, King Cnut and Kenneth MacAlpin(4 questions with explanations)

Alfred the Great, King Cnut and Kenneth MacAlpin: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Which Anglo-Saxon king united the kingdoms of England and defeated the Vikings?

    • Cnut
    • William the Conqueror
    • Harold
    • Alfred the Great

    Correct answer: Alfred the Great

    King Alfred the Great united the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and defeated the Vikings.

  2. 2. Who was the first Danish king to rule England, also known as Canute?

    • Kenneth MacAlpin
    • Harold
    • Cnut
    • Alfred

    Correct answer: Cnut

    Cnut, also called Canute, was the first Danish king of England.

  3. 3. Under which king did people in the north unite, leading to the use of the name Scotland?

    • Alfred the Great
    • Cnut
    • Kenneth MacAlpin
    • Robert the Bruce

    Correct answer: Kenneth MacAlpin

    Kenneth MacAlpin united peoples in the north and the term Scotland came into use.

  4. 4. Some Viking settlers mixed with local communities and converted to Christianity.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Many Vikings stayed, mixed with local people and some became Christian.

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