Battlefields›Battle of Tempsford (917)
Early Medieval

Battle of Tempsford (917)

917
Bedfordshire, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Bedfordshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
East Anglian Danes
Forces
Danish garrison (c. 300–600).
VS
Victor
Edward the Elder
Forces
Wessex forces (c. 1,000–2,000)
Outcome
Danish king of East Anglia killed; Danish stronghold taken
The Battle

History & Significance

At Tempsford, the main Danish stronghold in East Anglia, Edward's forces stormed the fort, killed the Danish king Guthrum II (not the same as Alfred's opponent), and effectively ended organised Danish resistance in East Anglia. This, combined with simultaneous campaigns, resulted in the submission of all East Anglian Danes by late 917 — a decisive moment in the reconquest.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Tempsford (917)

Biggin Wood moated enclosure, Tempsford
Scheduled monument · ~1.3 miles
Tempsford Bridge
Scheduled monument · ~1.4 miles
Moated enclosure and associated building platforms, The Lane, Wyboston.
Scheduled monument · ~1.8 miles
Gannocks Castle moated site
Scheduled monument · ~1.9 miles
Late Neolithic to Bronze Age barrow cemetery, Tempsford
Scheduled monument · ~2.2 miles
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