Battlefields›Swein Forkbeard at Wilton 1003
Early Medieval

Swein Forkbeard at Wilton 1003

1003
Wiltshire, England
Also known as: Danes burn Wilton 1003 · Norse sack Wilton Wiltshire 1003
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Wiltshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Wilton English
Forces
Wilton English: c.1,000–2,000.
VS
Victor
Swein Forkbeard
Forces
Swein Forkbeard: c.2,000–3,000
Outcome
Town burned; English relief army under Ealdorman Aelfric disbanded through treachery
The Battle

History & Significance

The burning of Wilton in 1003 and the treacherous disbanding of the English relief army exemplified the paralysis of English command under Aethelred II that allowed Swein to campaign unopposed across Wessex.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Swein Forkbeard at Wilton 1003

Ruined church of SS Mary and Nicholas
Scheduled monument · ~0.7 miles
Barrow in Wilton Park
Scheduled monument · ~1.2 miles
Churchyard cross
Scheduled monument · ~1.7 miles
Romano-British settlement at Stratford sub Castle
Scheduled monument · ~2.2 miles
Hare Warren Control Station
Scheduled monument · ~2.3 miles
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