Danes move to Repton in Mercia, take up winter quarters. Alfred makes Werferth of Mercia bishop of Worcester. Werferth is a scholar. 874 Buhred, King of Mercia, flees to Rome in despair. Ethelswith, Alfred's sister remains behind, taking refuge with Alfred.
Mercian resistance collapses.
England's largest remaining kingdom has gone down. Ceolwulf is set up as a puppet king and promises to have the Mercian troops ready for the Danes. He also raises tribute for the Danes. 875 Alfred builds a small navy. It engages seven Danish ships, captures one, drives the other six away.