Though it cost him dearly, Alfred and his West Saxons defeated the invading Vikings at this battle on January 8th, 871. The year is known as Alfred's "year of battles" because he fought nine of them against the Danes.

What other events took place on January 6th in Medieval History? Find out in our This Date in Medieval History resource.

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On January 7th, 1451, Pope Nicholas V issued the bull that proclaimed the founding of a studium generale in Glasgow, Scotland. Though it's faced numerous challenges over the centuries, the University of Glasgow is now one of the most prestigious schools in Britain.

Find out what else happened on January 7th in Medieval History through our This Date in Medieval History resource.

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Thanks to the quick actions of the firefighters, more than 300 panes of priceless medieval stained glass were safely rescued from a fire at York Minster last week. Experts had been working on a project to restore the 600-year old Great East Window, and the panes had been propped up in workshops. Fortunately, no damage has been discovered thus far. Find out more about the windows and the blaze in the article by Jennifer Bell at The Press.

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After successful campaigns against Ethelred the Unready and his successor, Edmund, Danish leader Canute the Great was named King of England by the Witan, and was crowned on January 6, 1017.

What else happened on January 6th in Medieval History? Find out in our This Date in Medieval History resource.

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