# Alfred occupies London (886)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/886-alfred-occupies-london

Alfred restored London and placed it under his authority, strengthening defences and administration. Within the broader Vikings & Unification period, Scandinavian invasion and settlement transformed the political map while Wessex and its allies built the institutions of a unified English kingdom. This event is placed at AD 886 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. The move symbolized the recovery of English territory from Viking control.

## Why it matters
The move symbolized the recovery of English territory from Viking control.

Ruler at the time: [Alfred the Great](https://english-history.com/rulers/alfred-the-great)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Alfred occupies London](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Alfred+occupies+London&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Alfred occupies London](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Alfred+occupies+London)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%28before_1000%29)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica — Viking Britain topic search](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Viking%20Britain)