After fourteen years of relative peace the main Viking forces, which had been actively raiding abroad, returned in 892 to threaten Wessex, having been provided with 250 ships by the Franks. The Vikings based themselves at Milton in northern Kent led by a different commander named Haesten, with a second camp in southern Kent at Appledore.

Alfred positioned his forces between the two camps and due to the instigation of his rota, leading to half his army being in service at any one time, there was no weakening of Alfred’s force with men returning to tend to their farms for the Vikings to capitalise on. This campaign consisted of mainly long sieges and plundering operations.

In 893 at Farnham Alfred’s oldest son, Edward, won his first victory, defeating the Vikings based in Appledore as they attempted to raid across Sussex and Hampshire. The raiders were forced into the Thames valley when their bid to reach the northern Viking forces (now based in Benfleet, Essex) failed. Alfred then faced an attack to the west in north Devon and Exeter by sea, after dealing with this threat Alfred returned and successfully besieged the Viking forces in Benfleet.

During 894 fighting continued across many frontiers- there was a continuing campaign in Essex, the defeat of Vikings in north Wales and attacks in the Exeter and Chichester area. Viking raids on the South Coast were more successfully defended due to the introduction of superior West Saxon longboats. The forces under Haesten were unable to win any clear victories, and kept were thwarted repeatedly trying to establish camps to raid from in Shoebury (Essex), Buttington (Wales), Chester and along the River Lea. Each time the Viking forces were besieged or starved out of their fortifications. Many of the Vikings returned to East Anglia or crossed back to Francia (modern day France)

Since the 870’s, when the Viking invaders had been able to plunder virtually at will, a huge change had taken place in the ability of the West Saxons to successfully defend themselves and provide assistance in other kingdoms. This led to the invasion of 892-896 being relatively contained by Alfred’s forces. Alfred’s implementation of a system of burhs and organisation of the army meant that the invaders were largely restricted and the land was successfully defended from attacks from the east, west and north, with the ability for successful raids by sea also reduced.

During this period it appears Alfred was seen as the key overlord and ally of the Welsh rulers who helped to stop the Viking attacks in Mercia