BattlefieldsBattle of Alton (1001)
Early Medieval

Battle of Alton (1001)

1001
Hampshire, England
Also known as: Danish battle at Alton
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Hampshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Hampshire English (Pallig defected)
Forces
Hampshire English: c. 1,500–2,500.
VS
Victor
Vikings
Forces
Vikings (with Pallig defector): c. 2,000–3,500
Outcome
Danish victory; Hampshire severely ravaged
The Battle

History & Significance

The Chronicle records a significant engagement in Hampshire in 1001 in which Danish forces — including the defector Pallig, a Danish nobleman previously in English service — defeated a Hampshire force. Aethelred's inability to retain the loyalty of Scandinavian retainers like Pallig, who rejoined the raiders, illustrates the endemic political weakness of his reign. The £24,000 Danegeld paid that year was the largest to date.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Hampshire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Hampshire