BattlefieldsCnut Siege of London 1016
Early Medieval

Cnut Siege of London 1016

1016
England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Edmund Ironside and London citizens defending
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Cnut Danish army besieging
Outcome
London resisted through multiple engagements; siege only lifted by the Treaty of Olney after Assandun
The Battle

History & Significance

Cnut besieged London in 1016 in one of the most significant sieges of the late Anglo-Saxon period. The city was stoutly defended by the citizens and by Edmund Ironside who had been elected king in London. Cnut s forces surrounded the city from both land and river, dug a canal south of London Bridge to bypass it, and maintained the investment for months. Edmund Ironside raised the siege repeatedly through field victories but Cnut always returned.

Questions & Answers

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