SCREAMS of delight and horror echoed across a quiet market town yesterday as more than 200 Mediaeval warriors clashed in battle.

Living history group, The Vikings, set up camp at Manor Road recreation ground, Wantage, for the town’s second annual Alfred’s Day.

Instituted by mayor Fiona Roper last year, the festival celebrates the feast day of the Saxon king Alfred the Great, born in Wantage in 849AD.

The warriors threw themselves at each other in a re-enactment of the Battle of Ashdown on January 8, 871, in Oxfordshire, in which Alfred defeated the Vikings.

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Mrs Roper said: “It was a huge success, everyone enjoyed it.

“The battle was quite spectacular, and there was a running commentary over loud speakers about what was happening.

“I wanted a great weekend for the community to celebrate our association with King Alfred.

“It was lovely to see so many children screaming with delight and horror, asking their parents ‘is he really dead?’ “It really brought history to life.”

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