Battlefields›Battle of Thetford
Early Medieval

Battle of Thetford

869
Norfolk, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Norfolk, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Edmund of East Anglia
Forces
East Anglian forces c. 2,000–3,000.
VS
Victor
Great Heathen Army
Forces
Great Heathen Army c. 4,000–6,000
Outcome
The Great Heathen Army decisively defeated the East Anglian forces, killing King Edmund and establishing Viking control over East Anglia for the next several years.
The Battle

History & Significance

King Edmund defeated and martyred; East Anglia fell

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Thetford

Thetford Cluniac priory including a World War II ‘Blacker Bombard’ spigot mortar emplacement
Scheduled monument · ~0.3 miles
Area of Saxon town N of Red Castle
Scheduled monument · ~0.4 miles
Priory of the Canons of the Holy Sepulchre and part of Saxon town
Scheduled monument · ~0.5 miles
Site of Saxon town: car park to N of Anchor Hotel
Scheduled monument · ~0.5 miles
Blackfriars
Scheduled monument · ~0.5 miles
More from this era

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Battle of Crecganford
456
Kent, England
Battle of Aylesford
455
Kent, England
Jutish Revolt — Battle at Aegelesthrep (Aylesford approach)
455
Kent, England
Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
450
Yorkshire, England
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