Ethandun, Battle of, 878
THE BATTLE OF ETHANDUN (EDDINGTON) – VIKING INVASION 4TH OR 5TH MAY 878 SUMMARY This was a battle fought between the Wessex Saxons and the Vikings —-oOo—- BACKGROUND In 872 Alfred had made a payment to the Viking Danes to keep them away from Wessex for five years. Once the five years were up the Vikings returned in […]
Wilton, Battle of, 871
THE BATTLE OF WILTON – VIKING INVASION LATE MAY 871 SUMMARY This was a battle fought between the Wessex Saxons and the Vikings —-oOo—- BACKGROUND The Vikings had invaded England and taken Northumbria, East Anglia and Mercia. Wessex alone stood against the invaders. In January 871 the Vikings had taken Reading and made it their base. —-oOo—- LOCATION […]
Viking Invasion of England
THE VIKING INVASION OF ENGLAND – 793 – 1066 WHO WERE THE VIKINGS? The Vikings came from Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Their countries lacked fertile land so it was difficult to grow crops. They built ships which they used to travel from one place to another. They were skilled in fighting and mostly used sword, shield […]
Benfleet, Battle of, 894
THE BATTLE OF BENFLEET- VIKING INVASION unknown date, 894 SUMMARY This was a battle fought between the Wessex Saxons and the Vikings —-oOo—- BACKGROUND Alfred had made peace with Haesten but he had broken that peace. —-oOo—- LOCATION Benfleet, Essex, England —-oOo—- ANGLO SAXONS LED BY Edward —-oOo—- VIKINGS LED BY Haesten —-oOo—- THE BATTLE Haesten had left his […]
Farnham, Battle of, 893
THE BATTLE OF FARNHAM – VIKING INVASION unknown date, 893 SUMMARY This was a battle fought between the Wessex Saxons and the Vikings —-oOo—- BACKGROUND Alfred had made peace with Haesten but he had broken that peace. Meanwhile one group of Vikings had made Appledore, Devon their base while another group were based in Merton, Kent. —-oOo—- LOCATION Farnham, […]
Meretum, Battle of, 871
THE BATTLE OF MERETUM (MARTON) – VIKING INVASION 22nd March 871 SUMMARY This was a battle fought between the Wessex Saxons and the Vikings —-oOo—- BACKGROUND This was the fifth battle in three months fought between the Vikings and the Saxons —-oOo—- LOCATION Exact location unknown, England —-oOo—- ANGLO SAXONS LED BY Aethered I of Wessex SUPPORTED BY Alfred […]
Basing, Battle of, 871
THE BATTLE OF BASING – VIKING INVASION 22nd January 871 SUMMARY This was a battle fought between the Wessex Saxons and the Vikings —-oOo—- BACKGROUND The Vikings had recently been defeated at the Battle of Ashdown. They had regrouped at Reading and prepared to fight again. —-oOo—- LOCATION Basing, Hampshire, England —-oOo—- ANGLO SAXONS LED BY Aethered I […]
Ashdown, Battle of, 871
THE BATTLE OF ASHDOWN – VIKING INVASION 8th January 871 SUMMARY This was a battle fought between the Wessex Saxons and the Vikings —-oOo—- BACKGROUND A Viking force had recently taken Reading. The Saxons had tried to storm the city gates but had failed. They had regrouped on the Berkshire Downs near Ashdown. —-oOo—- LOCATION Ashdown, Berkshire, England […]
Reading, Battle of, 871
THE BATTLE OF READING – VIKING INVASION 4th January 871 SUMMARY This was a battle fought between the Wessex Saxons and the Vikings —-oOo—- BACKGROUND The Vikings had invaded England and taken Northumbria, East Anglia and Mercia. Wessex alone stood against the invaders. A Viking force had recently taken Reading. —-oOo—- LOCATION Reading, England —-oOo—- ANGLO SAXONS LED […]
Englefield, Battle of, 870
THE BATTLE OF ENGLEFIELD – VIKING INVASION 31st December 870 SUMMARY This was a battle fought between the Wessex Saxons and the Vikings —-oOo—- BACKGROUND The Vikings had invaded England and taken Northumbria, East Anglia and Mercia. Wessex alone stood against the invaders. A Viking force had recently taken Reading. —-oOo—- LOCATION Englefield, England —-oOo—- ANGLO SAXONS LED […]