Jews of the North: A look at the Tsaphonim from original sources

[Walle Ras]

A page from “History of Viking Scandinavia” Published 1998

The first Jews in Scandinavia

The sources are scant about the first Jews in the Norse Realms. Oral tradition referenced in writings by Tsaphonim rabbis claim that the first permanent Jewish settlement was in Jutland fleeing from the Carolingian Empire.15 The date of this settlement is disputed between historians with dates as early as the sixth century proposed16, however, the most likely candidate based on the list of Rabbis on the Jutland Beis Din, the earliest one, is the late 7th and early 8th centuries. The first synagogue is found in Jelling and the records of the synagogue date it to the 4570s in the Hebrew calendar, 810s in the Piusian calendar.17 Around the same time a synagogue was built in the city of Roskilde,18 which supports a dual settlement of both cities by merchants bringing their families. It seems that these small communities which numbered in the hundreds by 83019 expanded quickly. By 850 the Jelling community had expanded to 5000 through immigration mostly but also massive birth rates from the relative wealth of the community.20 By this time Roskilde had 10,000 Jews.21 It is around this time that the first of the Jewish sagas, to differentiate them from the saga written by Norse Pagans and Christians, take place with three such family sagas.
The first is of the Cohen and is the largest, as it covers the exploits of all noteworthy Cohen in the north.21 It is the only one with stories that we can date to the time of the first Jews with the first such narrative about Rabbi Zechariah Ben Aharon, the founder of the Jutland Beis Din and the writer of several responsa and a commentary on the books of Joshua and Judges. Unfortunately, we have but fragments of the responsa but what we do have gives us a look into the concerns of the first Jews and paints a picture of tranquility between the Norse pagans and Jews. One such responsa confirms that any convert is of a new house or family.22 However, if their previous family wishes it they can indeed still be in the inheritance according to the laws of the land.23 The image painted by this ruling is that while we are not sure if it was a noble or a merchant, the upper class were attracted enough to Judaism to convert. Other responsa include the status of noachides, whether fish and vegetables can come from a gentile, and other responsa not relevant to the specific developing Tsaphonim.24
Rabbi Zechariah according to the sagas, fought Thor and defeated him ending the dominence over the gods over Jutland. The saga also has him fighting the demon Gabriel who mascaraed as the true angel Gabriel ending any attempt by the forces of Edom. 25 The sagas would later speak of both attempting to return, this time with Jesus and Odin, and their servants who the Raybesh fought, heralding in Ragnorak and ending the norse gods. Several saints were declared to have also been killed by the Raybesh with their relics being kept by Tsaphonim as trophies.26 The sagas also speak of the wisdom of Rabbi Zechariah, indeed the sagas say he defeated Thor and Gabriel not through brute strength but by trickery. It is from these sagas that we get a list of his responsa, of which we only have fragments of seven, numbering almost fifty. Beyond mythic exploits in the sagas we know little about this man that led the early Jewish community.

Letter to his sister from a Jewish merchant in Roskilde dated to the early 8th century:

Dearest sister,

You will be happy to know that your foolish brother has indeed found wealth in the north having followed a few of our brothers to find the source of amber. We joined around a hundred of our brethren in Roskilde where a synagogue is already operating. Our fortunes fare much better then in the Frankish Kingdom, the idolaters there are friendly and know not of the deeds that the Christians accuse us of and gladly work alongside us in trade. Already I have amassed a tidy sum from the trade of amber and other goods with the Franks. Using my knowledge of the Frankish tongue, though strangely foreign in the northern regions, I have set up many trading contacts and have for myself three ships crewed with both Jew and men of the nations, from which I draw a steady income. I urge you to tell your husband and journey up here and join me in my business. Invite the whole community, there is great fortune to be made here for the people of Israel.

Your brother
Yechiel

A section from a Jewish saga detailing with the Cohen in Scandanavia
Shimshon Son of Aharon “The mighty” was the mightiest of all the sons of Aharon. He stood among his brethren not as a scholar or priest like his brothers but as a warrior. He was born in the year 4621 4th of Tevet according to the calendar of the sons of Israel to Levi and Aila. He lived in Jutland traveling with his father as a merchant. When he came of age his father was attacked in Lothringa by Christians and killed. He swore vengeance against them and requested permission from the Jutland Beis Din to raid and pillage. Rabbi Avraham Ben Daniel, Chayim Ben Tzvi, and Shimon Ben Netanal ruled that the Christians were idolaters and as they had violated their oath with the sons of Israel, the oaths sworn to them by the sons of Israel didn’t apply. Hearing this Shimshon Son of Aharon and his brother Pincas Son of Aharon raised ten ships and set sail. They roamed the northern sea and seized much booty. Encouraged by their success they raised an even larger fleet and set sail on an invasion of Lothringia. Here Pincas led one half and Shimshon they other. Pincas raided Frisia slaying many Priests and even the Bishop there. Shimshon, however, met with an army led by Boniface. They fought for six days. On Friday Shimshon desired to wash himself for the coming sabbath. At the creek in his armor he met Boniface on the other side drinking. The two fought one on each side of the river. When the sun began to dip below the horizon, Shimson wished to pray the afternoon prayers, so he cried out to G-d to give him victory over Boniface. He tossed away his weapons so that he could not be credited with the victory for while his weapons were made by hand, his hands were made by G-d. G-d blessed him and he killed Saint Boniface.
Before sun dipped below the horizon, the battlefield was won and the Christian forces scattered before Shimson. He sabbathed there and all of his forces sabbathed there with him. The first day, he started marching back, taking with him the foreskin of Boniface as proof of his victory. The brothers after many more summers of raiding brought back much wealth and settled down. Pincas became a member of the Jutland Beis Din and married the daughter of Chayim Ben Tzvi, Abigail, and had three sons, Chayim, Avraham, and Eliyahu. All three owned much land and were wealthy. Shimshon married the daughter of Obidiah, Sarah, who fought with him in Lothringa. They had one son and seven daughters, the son being named Yehoshuah. He was named a Jarl by king Sigfred becoming the first of the sons of Aharon and Israel to be named as such.

Copy of the edict recognizing the authority of the Jutland Beis Din over the Jews of that region by king Sigfred issued in the year 4551 stored in the archives of the Danish Beis Din

In recognition of the deeds of Pincas and Jarl Shimshon Ben Aharon “The Mighty” and do to the request of both, I, king Sigfred of the Danes, recognize the authority of the Jutland Beis Din headquartered the city of Jelling over the Jutland, that administers justice to the sons of Israel. Any son of Israel or one dealing with them is required to face their justice in all matters save where the king wishes to intervene.

 

[Walle Ras]

Excerpt from the article “Rise of the Shtetle: Expansion of Jews into the Interior of Denmark”

One large difference between the Norse and their new Jewish neighbors was their laws of cleanliness. This seems to have been a constant headache with the early Jews. One of the lost responsa of Rabbi Zechariah is titled, “On Salt Water Mikvahs”5 With the full integration of Jews into the hierarchy and their reputation for honesty and loyalty to the King, the first Jewish Jarls begin to appear starting with Shimshon “The Mighty”. He founded the town of Aviv on the river Stora. Correspondence found in the archive’s of the Danish Beis Din shows that the Jutland Beis Din headquartered in Hedeby wished to have total authority over the actions of the Aviv Beis Din. This type of power struggle, of Beis Din’s attempting to seize as much power as could, would continue even until the present day. According to the letters a compromise is reached and permission is sought from the king to establish a Danish beis din for the entire realm to be under his direct supervision. Our sources fail us as to what happened next but the King appears to have agreed according to the oral tradition of the Danish beis din.

Archaeology and the creation of more beis din supports a rapid settlement of the interior along rivers and fresh water lakes by Jewish settlers. With the amount of Jews estimated at 20k mainly focused on Jutland and in the town of Roskilde. With the need for the kings of Denmark to have loyal followers, the existence of this foreign wealthy people who wouldn’t rebel and accepted his power was a great boon. It is theorized that the settlements would be established to help cement control of his lands. The other theory put forward is mentioned in the letters between the two Beis Dins in their discussions, the need for fresh water for their mikveh.

This plan would end in failure as King Godfrey would find the Jewish population of Denmark at odds with him after a dispute between him and the Danish Beis Din. By the start of the reign of King Horik I, the Jews in the interior of the Jutland had positioned themselves as an estate of sorts, essential to please for any king. With the approval of the Danish Beis Din would come the support of the very small amount, though growing, Jewish Jarls, and more importantly, the funds of Jewish merchants.





Letters between the Jutland Beis Din and the Aviv Beis Din from the Danish Beis Din archives


To the Aviv Beis Din

It has some to our attention that you the settlers on the land of Jarl Shimshon ben Aharon brother of RabbiPincas who sits upon this beis din, has in your city for mikvehs set up for yourself a rival beis din to undermine the power granted to us by King Sigfred of blessed memory in the land of Jutland. We thus request that you send all your cases to us where we will deliberate them and issue a ruling.

The Jutland Beis Din





To the Hedeby Beis Din

The journey north into Jutland is a long and treacherous one that will suffer loss. It is written in our halachah that the person wishing to take must do the journey, as you wish to take our authority that means you must journey here to do so. The disputees do not wish to take anything from you. Therefore they should not be forced to journey so far. According to the Torah we are within our authority as a community of 120 male Jews to set up a court for ourselves.

The Aviv Beis Din

To the Rabbis of Aviv

According to the three oaths in the Talmud we should not rebel against the nations. By disobeying to edict of King Sigfred of blessed memory and setting up another beis din in direct opposition to his edict, you are rebelling against our current King Godfred. Therefore you should imminently disband less the king discover your deeds.

The Jutland Beis Din


To the Hedeby Beis Din

This is an internal matter within the people of Israel. By spreading such lies as us not being loyal to King Gudfred, you could jeopardize our position within the realm. We thus… (Correspondence from this point is lost)


To Pincas

Come to Aviv and we shall settle this.

Jarl Shimshon


From history of the Danes, by the Rabbis of the Danish Beis Din
King Godfred was born in the year 4543 on the 29 of Adar to his father King Sigfred and his mother Gunild. He ascended to the throne in the year 4565 on the 23 of Cheshvan. Despite raids by vikings, the Franks continued to march forward during his reign. The Saxons saw their realm reduced by their emperor. King Godfred, seeing their weakness, invaded the Obradrites to subjugate them and force them to give him tribute in the form of gold and men for his armies. Accompanying him were Ragnvald his brothers son, Jarl Godelaib, Jarl Rether, Jarl Fathi, Jarl Brun, Jarl Gad and Jarl Shimson. Rabbi Pincas was invited along however he declined. Instead his son Chayim Ben Aharon went with the king. On the camp a dispute was raised, several Danes having adopted the laws of war used by the Jews, demanded that a stop be made on the shabbat and that spikes be issued among the men. Jarl Shimshon offered to pay for such and the practices became a part of the Danish army until the present day.
They besieged many cities and lost many men before they besieged the city of Reric. In the seige Ragnvald and Jarl Brun among many other cheifs and soldiers perished. Chayim ben Aharom proposed that the tree that had been used in an attempt to pierce the gates be capped with iron. The King liked his proposal and seized the black smiths in the neighboring towns melting down any iron tools he could seize. The tree thus capped pierced through the gate and the city was seized. The city agreed that fees would be sent to King Godfred.
Many cities and two districts agreed to pay King Godfred tribute. Hearing of this invasion, the Emperor of the Franks sent his brother toward the Elbe where he raided. Linoness and Smeldingli. King Godfred at the advice of the Danish beis din sent to negotiate with the Emperor of the Franks. At Hedeby Charlamange gathered with his cavalry and fleets to parley with King Godfred. The king due to poor advisors, ignored the counsel of the Jutland Beis Din lead by Rabbi Pincas son of Aharon and fled north leaving the city of Hedeby to its fate.
However, the men of Hedeby did not cower, they walked forward after choosing Pincas Ben Aharon to speak for them, as he knew the Frankish language. They met on the plain outside Hedeby. The Emperor of the Franks dressed in finery. Rabbi Pincas, contrary to the Jarls who had elected to stay, was dressed in the modest dress he wore on sabbath. Only a broach fastening his tallis gadol showed his status in the community. The two conversed, and it was agreed that if the king would acquiesce, Charlamange would respect the border of the Danish realm and King Godfred would harbor no more Saxon rebels. As a show of peace, the Beis Din returned some of the relics seized by Rabbi Pincas and his brother in the Frankish realm. The two parted and Charlemagne would never again cross the frontier of the Danish realm.
King Godfred was furious at this betrayal as he had intended to invade and seize Frisia. He sought to raise an army to invade anyway. However, the Danish Beis Din refused to support this and no Jews joined his army. Many Jarls also refused to join the invasion force. Humiliated, King Godfred seized the Danish Beis Din. In response Jarl Shimshon raised an army and marched on Hedeby. King Godfred met him in battle. Jarl Shimshon and his allies won the battle, the supporters of King Godfred scattered and the Jarls and Danish Beis Din that had been imprisoned were freed. King Godfred was seized and forced to abdicate. The Danish Beis Din supported Horik Ben Godfred. Some of the jarls supported them, while the jarls that had previously supported King Godfred supported Hemming. The civil war raged for two years until Hemming was killed in battle. Horik Ben Godfred was thus crowned king of the Danes.


Charlamange: You would come to meet the Emperor of Rome dressed like a peasant?
Rabbi Pincas: If I can dress such for the Emperor of Emperors then surely it is enough for the Emperor of just Rome?

 

[Walle Ras]

Excerpt from the thesis, Spread of the Sabbath in Scandanavia

There are two institutions that differentiate Jews from the nations. First of all the keeping of the laws of Kosher, and second the sabbath. However for a time there was another people that were known as sabbath keepers, the Danes. With the influence of the Jews, the sabbath along with certain smaller institutions spread rapidly through the Danish realm. The earliest evidence we have of the spread of the sabbath is a letter from a local Jarl to the Jutland Beis Din requesting they tell his huscarls that the sabbath cannot be kept in any way by men of the nations as they had been resting. This produced the famous responsa by Rabbi Levi ben Aharon, The Nations and the Shobbath, which set up several rules for the nations honoring the sabbath in such a way that they could indeed have a day of rest but would not be keeping the sabbath. The institution of the sabbath, along with the rejection of pork and shellfish, spread rapidly. It became a day of partying for the Danes and unto this day Tsaphonim are known for their wild Shobbath.
However, the sabbath didn’t just remain in the Jutland. Norse and Danes that went on raids lead by Jews would often adopt their ways and begin honoring Hashem alongside their gods. This is because of the success these expeditions enjoyed. Jews being from the Carlingion empire, driven forth due to their perceived alliance with the Umyadds, had knowledge of the tactics their enemies used and thus were able to outsmart the Franks. This was interpreted by the Norse and Danes as favor from the G-d of Israel. As such, they would adopt His ceremonies in an effort to please Him. It is because of this the sabbath spread to the Norse. One of the sagas tells of a Jew who claimed to be from the house of Calev, Meshulam ben Calev, came to Norway to organize a boat. He said that any that joined would have to follow the laws of his G-d. At first the sagas tell us he got few takers, indeed many of the priests were mad at this foreigner that was spreading a foreign G-d. One goaded another to fight him. However Meshulam was able to defeat him with his bare hands. The sagas tell us he grabbed the sword of his foe and snapped it without a single drop of blood. When asked how he declared that it is forbidden for a Jew to cut themselves, therefore unless he willed to be cut, he couldn’t be cut. His opponent immiedetly asked to become a Jew. He was refused and told to come on his boat, and if he survived he could go to the Jutland beis din with his blessing.

After this, he raised ten ships and went raiding in Ireland and Scotland, bringing back much wealth. Indeed, as he said, he wasn’t cut once and it was said he fought like a ship himself. All the men demanded to be taken to Jutland for conversion. They would form the core of the Norse Jews. With this fortune, many Norse adopted the sabbath. This surprised christian missionaries when they reached the Norse when they found the sabbath there. One such monk wrote back, “I fear that our mission will bear no fruit, the sabbath and thus the Jews, hold massive sway in the north.”



An Excerpt from a letter written by one of the first Norse Jews to the Roskilde Beis Din.

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to tell you of a singular community of Norse pagans in the land of the Norse that are more zealous for Hashem then many of the Jews in Roskilde. They know little of Torah, and only possess a few psalms, the amidah and a few other select teachings that were clearly bribed from Jews further south that they had encountered in raids, trading, or blown off course in the fridged north. Truly I don’t know how long it will take my letter to find you or even if. As you can imagine my coming into the village caused quite a stir. First they noticed my tsitsith and instantly identified myself as a Jew. Joyess cries of yehudi rang throughout the village. I had never received such a warm welcome by gentiles ever. Before I knew it they had whisked me to the central plaza where they asked me if I wanted bread by saying lechem repeatedly, I declined and they said kashruth. I asked in Danish to show me where upon their eyes lightened and they exclaimed how I knew their toungue, I asked what kosher food they had and they declared they had vegetables that I could wash, I accepted and to their delight kashered my vegetables and ate with them. My Danish and their Norse were mutually intelligible with a small amount of difficulty.

We conversed through the meal and they were very pleased to hear that I had studied in the Roskilde Yeshivah, even though I hadn’t finished my ordination they instantly called me Rabbi. All sorts of questions were asked so that I could barely talk, betraying a very warped understanding of the basics of Torah. Th entire small fishing community was enraptured by my answers as I taught Torah to people who knew nothing.

However at one point there was a declaration by one that he would keep the sabbath, I had to correct him to their sadness. A cry of convert us rang out from the hundreds of people, the whole hall was stuffed with people and my words were being repeated outside. Hearing their resolve I agreed to sponser them and teach them how to be Jews if… I was cut off there as cheers rocked the hall, such was the excitement of the gentiles here. I attempted to quiet them down but failed for ten minutes. I then repeated myself that they would have to to do precicly what I said. They asked what and remember what I was taught in Yeshivah I told them they had to procure adequate seforim, build a mikveh, synogogue and yeshivah. They would have to destroy all their idols, at this a few seemed hesitant but the majority were continuing to yell that they agreed. I summed it up by demanding perfect tzniuth, kosher, and a few other mitzvoth. They to the one agreed.

So within a few years I will be arriving with an entire community from the north of the house of the Norse to join the nation of Israel.

Best wishes

Simeon Ben Yehoshuah



An account of a raid by one of the survivors

The Norse came out of the mist on a cool spring morning, rather early in the season for raiding, we were a small farming village without much to steal. The ship had a lion carved on the prow and the sail was decorated with the symbol of the Menorah. Recognizing the symbol from the Jewish village nearby I was surprised, the norse wouldn’t use such a symbol. This shock was quickly ended when Norse leapt out of the ship and rushed the village. We instantly scattered however beyond a stop at the church to burn and loot it, they ignored us. I hid in a haystack and watched as the church went up in flames to the cheers of those pagan norsemen probably to their sick gods. Now that I was in little danger I was able to watch the norse closer. Each one with a shield had one of three symbols painted on it, the lion on the prow of the ship, the menorah, and a scroll. Cries of Torah Emeth and Adonai Echad rang out from them. Slowly it dawned on me, these were not pagans I was watching burn the church, they were Jews.

I observed the crown, that was taking some food, though we would manage and it was clear they were just taking enough for the return journey. The food they took was vegetables and grain, meat and dairy were left behind along with any bread. The crowd parted at one point to the cries of a man. He walked forward twirling and dancing with several other Norsemen chanting in the language of the Jews. That same cry echoed, Torah Emeth. Behind the dancers, their number expanding, was the Torah scroll owned by the local Jews, held with uptmost respect by four Norsemen. They were followed by men carrying a few other books and the people of the community pleading with them. The throng ignored them and went singing and dancing back to where their ship was. Curious I followed hidden. They wrapped the books and scroll in oil cloth and unloaded goods such as furs and other articles from the north. From the various reactions I guessed this was payment for the scroll and books, the norse then departed. It was until the end of the day when the knights arrived. Not much food had been taken, and besides the church treasures nothing else was missing. The church was rebuilt, there was a discussion on whether or not to destroy the village of the Jews for the raid but it was eventually decided that we wouldn’t want to attract the wrath of the Norse and left them alone.

A/N: Misspellings of Hebrew transliterations are on purpose as Tsaphonim have a slightly different Hebrew pronunciation then Ashkenaze. And the raid is by the same village, we will visit their village several more times in our narrative.

 

[Walle Ras]

The great Judeo-Heathen Army(Going back in time 50 years because I messed up dates, and added a century in my head to the great heathen army and Danelaw excuse me, Judeo-Danelaw)

In 863 of the Piusnian calendar a combined army of Jews and scandinavian pagans invaded Anglia. The reason is disputed between the sources with the sagas blaming the death of Ragnar Lothbrook at the hands of king Aella, while the Anglo-Saxon sources saying that they wished to conquer England. The other primary source, The Wars of Ivar the Boneless, agrees with the sagas, however, weather this is hearsay, a false justification, or true is debated by historians. One of the author’s students, Rabbi Seth says the following concerning his teachers work. “While my teachers account when he was there is assuredly accurate, I have come to doubt the parts he was not. Certainly, Ivar’s father Ragnar Lothbrook lived and died but with the extent of stories about him, some of these recorded in my master’s book, I doubt can be true.” Authorization, for the invasion as given by the Jutland Beith Dhin records no motive and reads only as follows.



With the assent of Bagscg, king of Denmark and the Jews of the North, the Jutland Beith Dhin hereby authorizes the Jarls of Denmark in an invasion of conquest of the lands of the Saxons, Angles, and Jutes lead by Ivar Ben Ragnar. Ten percent of all booty is to be surrendered to the widows and orphans. When land is divided, the heirs of the fallen shall also be included.



The army numbered according to some estimates 1300 men and was made up of more than the Danes, but men from all over Scandinavia. This army landed in Anglia where King Edward gifted them horses so that he wouldn’t be attacked and allowed them to winter there. From there they marched up to Northumbria where on the advice of the Rabbis there, inspired by their holy book, an effective feint was used. In this attack, the bulk of the forces, lead by Ivar Ben Ragnar would attack a city and draw out its defenders. From there, a detachment would take the city and burn it. The army saw its first real battle outside of York where this tactic was first used. The army of Aella king of Northumbria met them outside of York where they were defeated through this method and the King captured. York was sacked and Rabbi Shimon Ben Levi lead a beith dhin to try him. There was a disagreement between Ivar Ben Ragnar and Shimon Ben Levi as to the punishment to be meted out. It was determined that as a murderer with no witnesses he couldn’t be killed, the sagas then state that he met the end of the idolaters. The Anglo-Saxon chronicle accuses them of burning him alive, however according to the wars of Ivar the Boneless he was hung and his body burnt.



After seizing Northumbria, an informal Beith Dhin was formed and the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok were granted rulership, and the Rabbis present crowned Ivar Ben Ragnar King of Northumbria. At the urging of the Rabbis, who felt it was prudent to isolate Mercia before destroying the kingdom, the army marched south to Wessex after the failed attempt at seizing Nottingham and the successful invasion of East Anglia. A letter written by Rabbi Shimon Ben Levi is in the archives of the Jutland Beith Dhin and relates briefly the discussion between the leaders of the army before announcing that the land of the Saxons will be free of idolatrous kings. Historians have used this statement to demonstrate that Ivar Ben Ragnar, who was supported as king of Beissaxon, was Noachide, however we have no other evidence and it is generally assumed that he remained pagan.

The letter was one of several that would later be assembled into a single volume by Rabbi Shimon named the Wars of Ivar the Boneless, which described his campaigns and rulership after the death of his brother lead to him ending his campaigning. Historians debate the reason for this, but the reason given by the student of Rabbi Shimon, Rabbi Yitzhak is that his teacher wished to lend legitimacy for what would eventually become the York Beith Dhin, encourage Danish and Jewish relations to remain friendly, and to motivate Danes and Jews to move to the new Judeo-Danelaw region.



An excerpt from Wars of Ivar the Boneless, written by Rabbi Shimon



Chapter 3: Conquest of Northumbria



After wintering in the East of The House of the Angles, we departed with our horses to Northumbria to avenge to death of Ragnar Ben Sigurd. We first marched to the city of York with the goal being to conquer the city and pass judgment upon King Aelia. As we approached the city, we took council, I, Rabbi Calev Ben Ari, Rabbi Fishel ben Yitzhak, and Ivar Ben Ragnar the Boneless, Halfdan Ben Ragnar and Ubba ben Ragnar. We discussed how to take the city. The brothers of Ivar Ben Ragnar proposed that we besiege the city and burn the gates in a frontal attack. I, supported by my fellow Jews, proposed that we draw them out of their city. Ivar Ben Ragnar took my advice despite the protests of his brothers. We camped in two camps, one in plain sight with extra fires while the other hid behind the cit. We then gave challenge to York and King Aella. Ivar Ben Ragnar, not content to let the army die from the city, smote the army as the fires were first began at York. He surrounded the army, leaving for them only a small place to flee back to the city. The army was crushed and with the hope of the city behind them they fled quickly. His brother, Halfdan Ben Ragnar lead the second detachment where I was in the rear. We rushed the gate and with axes chopped it to splinters. We rushed into the town and began to burn and loot it. As the smoke started to rise, the soldiers fleeing from Ivar Ben Ragnar met with our troops, with King Aelia at their head. Halfdan Ben Ragnar and I fought King Aelia, us making sure he could not flee. With the soldiers trapped we slaughtered them. Ivar the Boneless returned, finding Halfdan Ben Ragnar and I fighting with King Aelia. See him return, I allowed him to instead fight the king. Ivar Ben Ragnar and his two brothers defeated King Aelia and sliced off his hand.

All inhabitants were gathered outside and with the agreement of the sons of Ragnar we held a Beith Dhin in York and before the inhabitants of the city. We heard the witnesses and judged King Aelia guilty. We hung the king on the tree outside the city and burned his body. We convened and decided that the town would be spared if they burnt their idols and churches. We offered this deal and most accepted, the rest we seized their property as booty, and took the gold from the churches before burning them. The Beith Dhin also with the authority vested in us according to the Torah and the agreement of his brothers, crowned Ivar Ben Ragnar king of the Saxons, and the Danes, Norse, and Swedes, in their lands.

We appointed two men, Cnut Ben Arvid and Rabbi Pinchas Ben Yitzhak brother of Rabbi Fishel to rule the House of the Saxons in the stead of King Ivar. With them a hundred Jews and Danes agreed to stay there. And thus we wintered here.





AD 866 This year Ethered, brother of Ethelbert, took to the West-Saxon government; and the same year came a large heathen and Jewish army into England, and fixed their winter- quarters in East-Anglia, where they were soon horsed; and the inhabitants made peace with them



AD 867 This year the army went from the East-Angles over the mouth of the Humber to the Northumbrians, as far as York. And there was much dissension in that nation among themselves; they had deposed their king Osbert, and had admitted Aella, who had no natural claim. Late in the year, however, they returned to their allegiance, and they were now fighting against the common enemy; having collected a vast force, with which they fought the army at York. The Heathens and Jews sought to deceive King Aella by making him think they were in a weak position. He sought battle whereupon his army was scattered. They broke open the town and entered in. Then there was an immense slaughter of the Northumbrians, some within and some without; and both the kings were slain. King Aella was burnt alive by the heathens. The survivors made peace with the army. The same year died Bishop Ealstan, who had the bishopric of Sherbon fifty winters, and his body lies in the town.

A/N: I have two ideas where to take this. First is that Wessex loses someof its land, then unites with Mercia under Edward as historical, to defeat the five bouroughs, and the land taken by Gunfred. The other is that wessex is fully conquered and Mercia is the only kingdom left, which will mean Danelaw will last longer, and William the conquerer will remain just Norman. I haven't decided yet so I would like to get y'all's input on which should I do.

 

[Walle Ras]

Chapter 4

The army set out to conquer the kingdom of Mercia, to bring it under the heel of King Ivar the Boneless. I shall describe the army on the march so that those that are unfamiliar with such may better understand the halachic needs of the army. At its fore front was a small company of light infantry and cavalry. They would range far ahead and help direct foraging and keep watch for the Mercian army. Behind these rode the sons of Ragnar along with myself and the rest of the informal Beith Dhin. Often we would ride up and down the line to make sure everyone was still marching and that necessary arrangements and problems were delt with hastily. Along with us marched the three sefer Toroth that we had brought with us from Denmark.
The privilege of carrying these were fought over often. The three Jews that brought them at first refused to let any others carry them. After the winter in East Anglia a fight broke out where one stole the sefer Torah and endeavored to carry it himself. They came to blows but rapidly stopped due to respect to the Torah. The Beith Dhin convened and it was requested that the bringer share his sefer Torah. He reluctantly did so and in exchange for the reward for the deed, allowed the thief to carry it for the rest of the day. From then on every day the carrier of the Sefer Torah changed. After the battle in Northumbria a fear arose among the owners that they could be seized and using gold donated from the loot an ark was made and a Cohen and three Levi were found to carry it. Until this day we have carried it to battle like the ark in the Torah.
Many other books were also brought with them and these were also carried in the front though these rotated often as someone would be on a wagon lecturing from one scroll or another. Someone brought a tractate of Talmud that he would lecture from often.
Behind these came the main column. Though occasionally we endeavored to separate the men from the supplies carried in wagons taken from East Anglia, the men and the wagons were mixed up quite often. Men would jump onto wagons for a rest quite often and it was a challenge keeping them off the wagons. At the rear was more cavalry and infantry to defend in the case of an attack upon our rear. Cavalry would ride up and down the line on the sides both to defend foragers and to make sure we were not surprised.
The army would set out after morning prayers and march until midday. Where upon we would briefly stop to eat a cold lunch. After this we would march until afternoon prayers. These would be prayed and camp set up. One of the Jews that immigrated remembered something he had been told about the Romans fortifying camp. As such some crude fortifications would be hastily erected. I recommend that this be continued with any force like the Romans but with our force it never amounted to much more then a half dug ditch and hill before people left to do other things. Usually at this stage the foragers would return with food. When camp was set up, some would engage in study while others would engage in other activities. Rabbi Yechiel Ben Ezra ran a conversion class at this time for any who wished it. After evening prayers most would go to sleep and we would wake at dawn.
Kosher food was a constant concern, with animals, unground grain, and vegetables making up the majority of what we seized. Shabboth and holidays we would stop mid day Friday and set up camp near a river. We would construct the camp for the afternoon and gather in enough food for the next day. We would complete our preparations a few hours before sundown. There are a few women in the camp and one of the Jewish women would light candles for the Shabboth. Shabboth is as in Denmark a time of celebration and feasting. Enclosed in this letter is several responsa I have composed concerning issues that have arisen.
We reached Nottingham in the morning. We held counsel and determined to take the city via fire. After requesting their surrender we attacked the city via storm. The land had been dry so we lit the wooden walls on fire. The fires spread and the defenders were to busy preventing the fire to stop our soldiers from chopping the gate down and looting the city. A counsel was held and Thorsten ben Knude was declared Jarl of Nottingham. He swore allegiance to Ivar the Boneless. From there we wintered in Nottingham.
In the spring the Mercians and their allies attacked the city. Knowing of their coming, we had gathered as much food from outside the walls, that we had repaired, into the city. After laying siege for a week they began to run out of food and assaulted the city. We beat back three assaults before they breached the gate. Ivar the Boneless allowed them to enter the city then attack their rear on the sides closing them in. Our soldiers then defeated the army and with their brethren prisoner we ransomed them for the city.




A.D. 868. This year the same army went into Mercia to Nottingham and burned the city. There they fixed their winter-quarters; and Burhred, king of the Mercians, with his council, besought Ethelred, king of the West-Saxons, and Alfred, his brother; that they would assist them in fighting against the army.
A.D. 869 In the spring they went with the West- Saxon army into Mercia as far as Nottingham, and there meeting the army on the works, they beset them within. The Danes and their Jewish allies defeated the Mercians and they made peace.

A/N There is much that isn't in this entry including stuff on Iceland, East Anglia, and Wales. But I have decided in my notes that...

Spoiler: Spoiler

Wessex will be crushed and a Norman crusade will seize the throne of England from the Danes after Cnut the Great.

 

[Walle Ras]

The conversion of the Welsh

During the early middle ages the Welsh were divided into many petty kingdoms that fought as much with each other as with the Saxons and Anglish. One of these petty kingdoms was Gwynned in the north of Wales. When they heard of the victories of the great Judeo Heathen Army against their enemies the Welsh King decided to court them to become his allies. Ivar the Boneless along with Rabbi Simon thought this would be a good opportunity and sent Rabbi Baruch son of Aaron along with two of his friends all three students of Rabbi Simon back in Roskilde. There they assisted King Rhodri in subjugating the rest of Wales. With this success Judaism was vindicated by King Rhodri as the true religion and him and most of his nobles accepted Judaism upon themselves. The county of Gwent was given to the three with Rabbi Baruch being the first of his dynasty to rule there. The country of Gwent would later gain independence after the death of King Rhodri and the division of Wales between them. It would remain independent until the British crusade ended Jewish independence in Britain.




Chapter 5

During the winter a messenger from King Rhodri of Gwynned came during the winter. He had heard of our victories against the Saxons and Anglians and wished to make an alliance. The messenger invited us to Gwynned his kingdom. I along with Ivar the Boneless took counsel with the Rabbis and commanders about the best plan of action. Rabbi Baruch ben Aharon along with two other Rabbis, Yehoshuah ben Chayim and Daniel ben Asher from the Roskilde Yeshivah volunteered to travel back with the messenger to Gwynned. Among them it was decided one of the sefer Torahs would go with them along with 100 Jews and scandinavians. Rabbi Baruch would attempt to court the King of Gwynned to come to our side and join us in conquering Mercia. Ivar the Boneless saw the potential of such an alliance in hastening our defeat of Mercia enabling us to destroy Wessex and Anglia. They set out in the spring before the army of the Mercians and Saxons beset us. The rest of this letter (The Wars of Ivar the Boneless took the form of letters sent back to the Roskilde Beis Din where they were copied and sent to other Beis Din’s and most importantly the Kings of Norway and Denmark in an effort to increase their legitimacy) is written by Rabbi Daniel ben Asher.



Here begins the letters of Rabbi Daniel ben Asher to the Beis Dinim of Denmark the House of the Norse, and the Kings of the Danes and the Norse.

I along with my two friends Baruch and Yeshoshuah set out in the spring at the head of a band of Jews and Scandinavians to trek from Nottingham to Gwynned to meet with the King. We received no molesting as we went which we latter learned was due to the peace between King Ivar and the mercians after their defeat at Nottingham. King Ivar had then journeyed north to consolidate his rule and divided with Rabbi Shimon with Rabbi Shimon invading East Anglia. By late summer we arrived at Gwynned and were greeted by the Christian King. He told us that his family had been christian since Rome ruled however he had seen the pagans push his people back before becoming christianized. When he had heard of our victories against his enemies he had wanted to know who had defeated the Angles and Saxons. Upon hearing that we were Jews he was surprised as he had thought we were an extinct race and thought it was just pagans that had arrived. He then attempted to convert us to christianity but we explained to him our beliefs. He then remarked that he had thought we were blind but he found our explanations reasonable and thus invited us for a feast.

We told him that we would consider it our honor to provide some food so we brought out bread and meat for the feast while he supplied vegetables. We had been spent with a small bag of pepper that we had procured from York and we gave this during the meal. We continued the conversation as the King had became fascinated by us, asking about David, and Joshua and other figures from the Hebrew Bible. After the feast we presented gifts to him, though he gave us none.

The following week we discussed scripture[Torah is in the original Hebrew and old norse versions] along with our diplomatic issues. The king became more and more convinced and even the priest of his court began to doubt. We attempted to move away from this fearing offense from the nobles. On shabbos he would attend our services.

An agreement was struck between us at the end of the summer. The agreement’s text though it remains with us, was that we would assist him in the conquest of the Welsh and when the Mercians attacked he would join us against them. There was considerable disagreement when it came to Wessex but it was decided that they too should be included. (Translators note: The actual document is in the archives of the Gwent Yeshivah) We wintered at the hospitality of the King. In the spring we received word of the conquest of Anglia.

King Rhodri rasied his levies and invaded the kingdom of Deheubarth. We met the army of their king and gave him battle there. He was routed and fled to his castle. We beseiged it there until late summer when an agreement was struck and he fledged feality to King Rhodri. We wintered there and subjugated the rest of Wales without a fight except for Gwent. Gwent held up in their castle and we were forced to beseige it. Fearing the onset of winter, I lead my forces to burn the neighboring village in an effort to cause a sally. This failed. We then took wood and built a massive tower. We moved this tower close under the cover of night and poored arrow fire upon the walls. With the walls cleared we used ladders and the forces of King Rhodri managed to scale with losses. He then put the garrison to the sword with the peasants and women going free. He offered the wife of the now dead King of Gwent to me but I refused.

He decreed that the castle and the lands of Gwent should be a country owned by me, I distributed land to my two friends. The king decreed that as long as we ran a yeshivah the lands Gwent should be tax free. Here we held a party and crowned King Rhodri as King of Wales. He then to the assembled nobles declared that under Jesus they had been weak but when the sons of Israel had come they had subjugated all of Wales and then challenged the priest to counter that. The priest began to talk but a few nobles who had likewise agreed with us shouted him down. The King then declared that the entire kingdom should join Israel and thus gain the prosperity of Israel. We attempted to dissuade this as we were ignorant of the halachah. He persisted and we wintered in Caerwent and taught him the hardest halachah along with his retainers. Even the priest learned with us. We traveled back north with me leaving a garrison of my fellow Jews to run my new lands. Here we spent another year and converted the King along with his family, many of his nobles and their families and much of the retinue of each. We attempted to impress on him that we are a people in exile and that he would go into exile with us. He brushed that off saying, “If you can humble the kings of Wales and Angland in exile, then when we have left exile then we will truly conquer the world.”






A.D. 870 This year the army split with one heading north into northumbria and another into East-Anglia and there fixed their winter-quarters at Thetford. The Welsh accepted a delegation from the Jews and heathens and they struck an alliance. The same year died Archbishop Ceolnoth; and Ethered, Bishop of Witshire, was chosen Archbishop of Canterbury.

A/N Just want to let everyone know that I enjoyed Yeshivah. Decided to complete the sixth entry on my shavuos break. Happy yom tov everyone!

 

[Walle Ras]

Chapter 6

I am sending you along with this letter that of my student Daniel ben Asher who has achieved success among the Welsh. This is the account of I, Rabbi Shimon in East Anglia and Wessex. In the winter I came to thetford and there we celebrated Channakah. In an astonishing victory soon after the first of January at the dead of winter we met with King Edmund were unhappy that war would come so soon as Torah study had increased among the army. We formed up with low morale for the desire to return to our winter quarters until spring was strong among us.

I thus knowing the piety of King Edmund challenged him to a duel declaring that whosoever won would it be known that his god would have triumphed. King Edmund in agreed. We met after the time of the afternoon prayer between the armies and there fought. G-d triumphed and Edmund there was slain. We buried him and burned his belongings as the law requires. I expected his army to then route and we could return to our books but his army had taken me seriously in what I had said and declared that they too were Jews. I explained to them the truth and told them to leave. Some left but the majority refused. I then instructed them that I would make them Jews if they would bring me the treasures of the monastery and the ashes of their crosses. They left and we returned to our winter quarters in Thetford to wait out the winter before seizing control of East Anglia. We there received word that Bagsac and Healfden brothers of Ivar ben Ragnar were marching on Wessex and we were to meet them in Reading. (Just an fyi I’m making this up entirely. We have no historical records before their appearance in the anglo saxon chronicle) We started marching on the 3rd of Shvat and there later that day met some of the army of King Edmund. They gave us the manuscripts and gold from a monestary that they had burnt and a sack that contained the ashes of their crossess. I handed over the books of iniquity and sin among them and kept the other manuscripts. These ashes I placed on all their foreheads in a line and they joined the army bringing us up to 500 men. We marched in haste towards Reading and arrived there on the 8th of Shvat and joined with the army.

A few days later we fought King Ethered and they retired when we wouldn’t be put off the field. We were forced to pray afternoon prayers late and this has thus became our costume as of the sending off of this letter. Four days later on the 16th of Shvat we fought and won a narrow victory. We were divided into three armies, Bagsac had 400 men, Healfed 350 and I 500 men. We fought from the late morning after morning prayers. King Ethered’s division had vanished so we defeated his brother’s division. Victory assured I retired with most of my army to pray an earlier afternoon prayer which would be our last early afternoon prayer because of the near disaster that happened. King Ethelwulf came out of the mist and destroyed the division of Bagsac ben Ragnar along with slaying him. The army of Healfden was put to flight. Their soldiers met our army and told us of the news were upon some of us were put to flight in fear. I formed us up into lines and a shield wall and began to march. Despit the temptation I went slowly until they army of Alfred came out of the mist. To raise the morale of my men, the Jews among us chanted Asherei. We met the army of Alfred in battle and put them to flight. Yitzchak ben Shimshon slew Alfred there. Seeing our success the men of the other divisions returns and we met King Ethered in battle. Diseartened by the death of his brother we put him to flight.

We reformed our army into two divisions and there buried Bagsac along with those slain. We subjugated the countryside and those that stood beside me began studying under me. Those Anglians have adopted the streak of ash on their foreheads as their sign which I have let them keep. One cannot see the streak for the way they keep their hair is long. We continued marching and a month later met King Ethered at Basing and there we put him to flight again. Three months later we met him at Marden. The saxons attempted to defeat half our army and then the other half but we realizing what had happened turned with difficulty and marched to reinforce Healfed. We slew many and put them to flight. We later received word that King Ethered had died and thus marched upon his capital. They surrendered without a fight and I and Healfed were crowned there King of Wessex and King of Anglia. I retired with my army to East Anglia and there celebrated Elul. After Simcas Toireh we subjugated the country fully and wintered again in Thetford, for there we had already built a synogogue. Those Anglians went and gathered their families and returned and there we busied ourself with Torah study, the fat of Anglia at our feet.

A.D. 871 This year the army in East Anglia made battle with King Edmund. Shimon challenged him to a duel and King Edmund fell in battle. He was burned with his possessions. The people of East Anglia saw this as god departing from them and declared Shimon king of East Anglia. His army increased in size and they looted the monasteries there. The army came to Reading in Wessex. In the course of three nights after rode two earls up, who were met by Alderman Ethelwulf at Englefield; where he fought with them, victory. There one of them was slain, who name was Sidrac. The next day the army of Shimon arrived at Reading. And about four nights after this, King Ethered and Alfred his brother led their main army to reading, where they fought with the enemy; and there was much slaughter, Alderman Ethelwulf being among the slain; but the Danes and Jews kept possession of the field. And about four nights after this King Ethered and Alfred his brother fought with all the army on Ashdown, and the Danes overcome. They had two heathen kings, Bagsac and Healfden, and one Jewish King Shimon who had usurped East Anglia; and they were in three divisions. The first had Bagsac and healfed, and the other were the earls. King Ethered therefore fought with the troops of the kings, and there was Bagsac slain; and Alfred his brother fought with the troops of the earls, and there were slain Earl Sidrac the elder, Earl Sidrac the younger, Earl Osbern, Earl Frene, and Earl Harold. The army of King Shimon had retired to pray and was oblivious as they had considered the battle won, when those that fled from the other battles came, his army was put to panic. King Shimon lead half his army through the fog. With a shout they charged into the side of the army of Alfred his brother and shattered his army. Alfred died there slain by the heathen. With the loss of his brother, King Ethered fled; there were many thousands of slain, and they continued fighting till night. A month later, King Ethered fought with the army at Basing; and there the Danes had the victory. Three months after this King Ethered fought with the army at Marden. They were in two divisions; and one was lead by the King and other by the Earls. There they were put to flight. There was slain Bishop Heahmund, with many other good men. After this fight came a fast army in the summer to Reading. And after the Easter of this year died King Ethered. He reigned five years, and his body lies at Winburn-minster. He had no heir and the heathens declared that Healfed was king of wessex. They marched to the capital and subjugated the country.

A/N I didn't include the third source that I usually do because while I did write one in the form of dueling articles from the BBC and the Anglian times in modern days it struck me as to current day politics so I decided not the risk it and just left us with the usual two sources. And yes the Welsh were late to the party. Such is communication back then. Let us all bid adue to OTL Britain with the death of Alfred. The streak of ash is based on something we do for the groom at our wedding. If you ever see a Jewish groom he has a streak of ash on his forehead hidden. I thought it would cool and its my story so I did it.

 

[Walle Ras]

Chapter 7



This is the letter of Rabbi Daniel Ben Asher to the Roskilde Beis Din. During the spring, King Rhodri and his army completed the subjugation of any noble that refused to bend the knee. Much land was seized by the king and distributed to Jewish nobles. All of the men I brought with me were granted land with men to work it from defeated nobles. In the mid summer before tish baav we marched south to Wessex and found that the subjugation had been completed. The men were upset and there was nearly a fight. However, Rabbi Shimon managed to calm the issue and proposed that a campaign be made upon Mercia. The plan he proposed and which is also explained in the letter included with this one, was to march into Mercia until we found a place to winter. In the early spring we would then march into Mercia further and subjugate them. We all agreed as to this and marched to Gloucester and took the city. All in all we numbered around 3000 men over half of which were welsh. Around 300 of these men were Jews from their father and mother. 200 of the men, mostly welsh, were Jews by water. It should be noted that halachah classes were full to bursting, and any lecture given by a Rabbi was well attended. Around 700 men were norse by blood.

During the winter, King Rhodri purchased one of the three sefer Tioroth that we had brought for 10 pounds of gold and 30 of silver. He also commissioned the construction of an ark and sent it back to his capital with a force of fifty men. The owner also went with them as the gold was in his capital.

It passed uneventfully and in the spring we met King Burgred in battle. He had previous subjugated many of the welsh so they fought to be in the center. The battle was won as we outnumbered them and we drove them back. We marched upon Tamworth to lay siege and then march to Nottingham. The army of King Burgred returned however, and we were forced the retreat. We met them again in battle, however this time he put us to flight. We retreated to Reading. We received messengers that King Ivar the Boneless and his brothers were marching into the north.

Thus we nursed our wounds, and have wintered in Reading to await his march into the north of Mercia. We have raised 100 converts here, some of which are bearing these letters as they wish to learn in the Roskilde Yeshivah. As my teacher is here I will not write anymore letters until we have again separated.



Chapter 8

We in the summer met with the forces of the king of Wales Rhodri. He had converted to Judaism along with many of his nobles. Many of his soldiers were ready to convert however due to reasons of you can only teach so many they hadn’t. I found the King wise, and passionate. He fully believed in the principles of our religion and was able to speak about halachah and chumash with me. I observed him over the Shabbos. I found his observance well and he has been following my student to the letter he tells me. I must confess a felt a bit of simcah upon seeing a Jewish king. We had a copy of tractate Sanhedrin with us which I borrowed in order to teach him the laws of kings. He had been aware of them because of my student but was very happy to learn with me. I have enclosed several responsa based upon his questions that are sadly not to my liking due to the circumstances. (Teshuvos of Rabbi Shimon 49-62 are dedicated towards questions asked by King Rhodri) I hope to complete them when I can return to my studies rather than this pointless distraction. His nobles also impressed them with their zeal and observance. A convert has to be more righteous than a Jew and they fit the bill. Among them a man named Cadfael seemed determined to learn from me. He uninvited sat in on my teaching King Rhodri the Talmud and has attended any lecture or study session. I was teaching a complicated lecture on the Talmud and found him in the back listening. He knows Welsh, English, Dannish, Latin, French, and is learning Hebrew and Aramaic at a rapid rate. He bears this letter to you with my highest recommendation to learn at the Roskilde Yeshivah.

The King and his men were upset that we had finished the subjugation without them. It nearly came to blows until my student Rabbi Daniel proposed the destruction of Mercia by the combined force as a compromise. We marched north to Gloucester and seized the city. That winter, King Rhodri succeeded in his mission to acquire one of the Sefer Toiroth. He payed a kings ransom for it and with joy sent it back to his capital.

In the spring we marched north to confront the Mercians. We confronted King Burgred at Worcester and put him to flight. The Welsh proved themselves capable soldiers, being at our center and pushing the enemy back with glee. However, the Mercians fought bravely. Despite being outnumbered, they prevented themselves from being flanked and retreated in good order. We continued north subjugating the country side as we went. We sacked Bridgenorth and marched to Tamworth to reach Nottingham and winter there before completing our subjugation. However, King Burgred met out far outside of Tamworth with a new army including veterans from Wessex who had fled. Our numbers were comparable though we still outnumbered him. His mounted horse forced us on the defensive though our soldiers having been through many battles stood firm and they were forced to withdraw. We then formed up into four divisions. I had marched with my men, and King Healfden his, however the Welsh had marched as one and as such were slower to separate, indeed some marched forth while they were still confused, and they remained confused for the battle. I commanded the one on the left and held back to ascertain the situation. I do not know how his army was divided however as my men were credited with the destruction of the Wessex army, I know the veterans were afraid of facing my soldiers, so they faced the Welsh instead. When we saw them on the horizon, we marched forth singing Ashrei with ash on our heads as has become our custom.

We dealt ourselves well and pushed back the Mercians. However, on our flank the Welsh found themselves overwhelmed and pushed back. They fought bravely but with our center collapsing we found ourselves isolated on the field and were forced to retreat. I spoke to the Danes and Norse in the other division, and the Welsh in their divisions. King Rhodri lead one and one of his nobles Islwyn ben Avraham lead the other. The final division was lead by King Healfden. The division of Islwyn ben Avraham lead the division next to men, then was King Rhodri and on the right was King Healfden.

The cavalry which had harassed us, withdrew and continued to skirmish with Islwyn’s men attempting to disrupt their formation. His men grew angry and chased after the cavalry who promptly retreated. Islwyn attempted to stop them, but one cannot stop the blood of an angry man. With the shield wall broken, the Mercians and Saxons were able to defeat them. They had ran ahead of King Rhodri and King Healfden so they were outnumbered. King Rhodri saw what was happening and attempted to join the battle to assist and thus saved Islwyn’s division from complete destruction. However, the disorganized state of his division meant that the Mercians and Saxons forced him back. With my flanks under threat, I was forced to retreat. King Healfden was unaware of what was happening until the Mercians, and Wessex attacked him. He had been fighting a smaller detachment of Mercians. He had his flank anchored to a forest and won the first confrontation. Messengers having reached him, he pulled back and we all retreated to Reading. We wintered here to await the coming of Ivar the boneless in the spring to defeat the Mercians.



A.D. 872. This year went the army from Gloucester to Worcester. They defeated King Burgred and sacked both Worcester and Bridgenorth. Outside of Tamworth, King Burgred met the army with both his army and some soldiers from Wessex. He put their center to flight and thus were able to force the men that defeated the Saxons off the field. They retreated to Reading and made peace with the Mercians. There they wintered.



Illustrated Guide to the great Judeo Heathen Army (Note I cannot draw)


Stage one of the conflict was the result of the cavalry of the Mercians blundering into the Tsaphonish army. They failed in their skirmishing and retreated. However they would return to skirmish with the welsh. Both sides would form into divisions and march towards each other to present battle.

Rabbi Shimon’s forces would meet the Mercians first and slowly push them back. Meanwhile the Welsh would have managed to divide into two divisions. The cavalry would skirmish with Islwyn’s division until they charged at the cavalry. The cavalry then retreated, drawing the troops after them.

The major part of the Mercian army then confronted the Welsh. They succeeded in pushing back the Welsh divisions due to their disorganized and exhausted state.

Despite the joining of the other Welsh division, they are pushed back, though their addition saves the first Welsh division from complete destruction. No source mentions the cavalry after this so its presumed they dismounted and joined the rest of the army as infantry.

Due to the loss of their center and the threat to their flanks, the divisions of Tsaphonim are forced to reatreat as well. A delaying action is fought by King Healfden’s division as they had a secure flank against the forest. This would herald one of the greater victories of the Mercians in their defense against the Great Judeo-Heathen Army.

A/N: My first attempt at adding maps to my timeline. I appreciate all advice to how to make them better. Hopefully, they are clear enough.