Battlefields›Southampton Viking Raid 980
Early Medieval

Southampton Viking Raid 980

980
Hampshire, England
Also known as: Norse sack of Southampton 980 · Hamwic raid 980
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Hampshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Southampton
Forces
Southampton: c. 300–400
VS
Victor
Norse raiders
Forces
Norse: c. 500–1,000
Outcome
Town plundered; many inhabitants killed or enslaved
The Battle

History & Significance

The 980 raid on Southampton opened the Second Viking Age in England and was part of a coordinated wave of Norse attacks that also struck Thanet and Chester in the same year.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Southampton Viking Raid 980

Bowl barrow 630m north of Hardley Bridge
Scheduled monument · ~3.7 miles
Bowl barrow 400m north of Hardley Bridge
Scheduled monument · ~3.8 miles
Bowl barrow in Fawley Inclosure
Scheduled monument · ~3.8 miles
Bowl barrow 250m north-west of Flash Pond
Scheduled monument · ~3.8 miles
Bowl barrow 250m north-east of Hardley Bridge
Scheduled monument · ~4 miles
More from this era

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Battle of Crecganford
456
Kent, England
Battle of Aylesford
455
Kent, England
Jutish Revolt — Battle at Aegelesthrep (Aylesford approach)
455
Kent, England
Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
450
Yorkshire, England
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