BattlefieldsCnut London Bridge Boat-drag 1016
Early Medieval

Cnut London Bridge Boat-drag 1016

1016
England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
London garrison
Forces
London garrison holding the bridge and river approaches
VS
Victor
Cnut
Forces
Cnut Danish fleet
Outcome
Danish fleet bypassed London Bridge; city encircled; siege tightened
The Battle

History & Significance

During Cnut s siege of London in 1016, the Danish fleet could not pass through London Bridge which was held by Ethelred s garrison. Cnut famously ordered a channel dug south of the bridge through the Surrey marshes, allowing his longships to bypass the bridge and complete the encirclement of the city from above and below. This engineering feat sealed the investment of London and complemented the land blockade.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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