BattlefieldsBattle of Farnham 893 — Alfred checks Danish march
Early Medieval

Battle of Farnham 893 — Alfred checks Danish march

893
Surrey, England
Also known as: Farnham 893 · Edward the Elder defeats Danes at Farnham
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Surrey, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Danish army (Haesten group)
Forces
c.2,500–4,000 Danes (Haesten); pitched battle.
VS
Victor
West Saxons (Edward the Elder)
Forces
c.2,000–3,500 West Saxons (Edward)
Outcome
Danish army routed; driven across Thames; survivors besieged on Colne island
The Battle

History & Significance

At Farnham in Surrey in 893 Alfred's son Edward the Elder defeated a large Danish army that had come from Appledore in Kent through Surrey. The Danes were caught crossing the River Wey and routed. Their king (unnamed in the sources) was wounded. Survivors fled north across the Thames and were besieged on an island in the Colne near Thorney. The battle was one of Alfred's most successful defensive operations in his later campaigns against the multiple Danish forces operating in southeast England.

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