BattlefieldsBattle of Acleah 851
Early Medieval

Battle of Acleah 851

851
Surrey, England
Also known as: Great Danish army defeated at Acleah · Aethelwulf destroys Danish fleet army
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Surrey, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Danish Great Summer Army
Forces
Danish army from 350 ships
VS
Victor
Wessex (Aethelwulf and Aethelbald)
Forces
West Saxon army with Kentish forces
Outcome
Danish army of 350 ships destroyed; greatest English victory over Vikings to that date
The Battle

History & Significance

The Chronicle records that Aethelwulf and his son Aethelbald fought the heathen army at Acleah and made the greatest slaughter of a heathen army that we ever heard of to this present day. The Danish force had previously sacked Canterbury and put the Mercian king to flight. Its destruction at Acleah in Surrey or Kent was a major English triumph.

Casualties & Losses

Greatest recorded slaughter of Danish forces to that date

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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