BattlefieldsBattle of Aclea (851 AD)
Early Medieval

Battle of Aclea (851 AD)

851
Surrey, England
Also known as: Battle of Ockley 851 · Aethelwulf defeats Danes in Surrey
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Surrey, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Danish Vikings
Forces
Danish Vikings c. 3,000-4,500.
VS
Victor
Wessex (Aethelwulf)
Forces
Wessex force c. 3,000-5,000
Outcome
Decisive English victory; largest recorded English victory over Vikings to this date
The Battle

History & Significance

King Aethelwulf of Wessex defeated a large Danish army at Aclea — probably Ockley in Surrey. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle calls it the greatest slaughter of a Danish force ever made. The same Danish fleet had sacked Canterbury and London and even briefly captured King Beorhtwulf of Mercia. Aclea demonstrated that Wessex could field effective forces against the new Viking threat.

Casualties & Losses

Very large Danish losses

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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