BattlefieldsAlfred's Defence — Viking Siege of Rochester 885
Early Medieval

Alfred's Defence — Viking Siege of Rochester 885

885
Kent, England
Also known as: Rochester 885 · Alfred relieves Rochester
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Danish besieging army
Forces
c.1,000–1,500 Alfredian relief force; siege abandoned.
VS
Victor
Alfred of Wessex (relief force)
Forces
c.2,000–3,000 Danish besiegers
Outcome
Danish army abandoned siege and fled; Alfred reconsolidated control of Kent
The Battle

History & Significance

A Danish army besieged Rochester in 885. Alfred marched to relieve the city and the Danes abandoned the siege and returned to their ships. Alfred then pursued them across the Channel and attacked East Anglian Danes as punishment for supporting the Rochester raiders. The relief of Rochester showed Alfred's improved strategic capacity and his determination to defend all of his realm including the Kentish border.

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