BattlefieldsDerby 917 — Aethelflaed Storms the Danish Borough
Early Medieval

Derby 917 — Aethelflaed Storms the Danish Borough

917
Derbyshire, England
Also known as: Aethelflaed Takes Derby · Battle of Derby 917 · Storming of Derby 917
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Derbyshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Danish garrison of Derby
Forces
Danish garrison of Derby Borough
VS
Victor
Aethelflaed (Lady of the Mercians)
Forces
Mercian army under Aethelflaed
Outcome
Derby — one of the Five Boroughs — taken; four of Aethelflaed\'s thegns killed fighting through the gates
The Battle

History & Significance

The capture of Derby by Aethelflaed in 917 was the first of the Five Boroughs to fall to the Mercian reconquest. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that four of her leading thegns were slain within the gates, indicating fierce resistance by the Danish garrison. Derby\'s fall opened the way for the recovery of Leicester, Stamford, Nottingham and Lincoln. Aethelflaed\'s successful campaign against the Danelaw in 917-918 is one of the most remarkable military achievements of the early medieval period.

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