The defences built by Alfred and his successors form the basis of many of the towns of Southern England. Their fortifications were used through much of the Medieval period and were even to be used in the event of a German invasion in 1940. This title traces their development, construction and impact.

Design and development --8 -- Early fortifications of Anglo-Saxon England -- Early fortifications: Mercia -- Early West Saxon defences -- Alfred the Great -- 'Private' fortifications: Anglo-Saxon castles? -- Fortifications in the landscape -- 26 -- Principles of defence -- Sites -- 33 -- Town and garrison life -- 39 -- Religious life -- Warrior elites: the housecarls -- King and the towns -- Campaigns in Wessex and fortifications -- 47 -- Sieges in Early Medieval Wessex -- Defending the walls -- Aftermath -- 56 -- Visiting Alfred's Wessex -- 58.