Battlefields›Battle of Ringmere (Ulfketel vs Danes 1010 AD)
Early Medieval

Battle of Ringmere (Ulfketel vs Danes 1010 AD)

1010
Norfolk, England
Also known as: Ringmere Heath 1010 · Ulfketel's last stand
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Norfolk, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English (Ulfketel Snillingr)
Forces
Ulfketel's English c.2,000–3,500.
VS
Victor
Danes (Thorkell the Tall)
Forces
Thorkell's Danish army c.3,000–5,000
Outcome
East Anglian army defeated; Cambridge, East Anglia and much of the east country devastated
The Battle

History & Significance

Thorkell the Tall's Danish army defeated Ulfketel at Ringmere — a site near Thetford. Despite brave resistance by Ulfketel's men, the East Anglian force was broken. The defeat opened East Anglia to systematic devastation; the Danes raided as far as Oxford over the next year. Ulfketel, one of the most effective English commanders of the age, was killed at Assandun in 1016.

Casualties & Losses

Heavy East Anglian losses

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Ringmere (Ulfketel vs Danes 1010 AD)

Roudham deserted medieval village
Scheduled monument · ~0.8 miles
Ruins of St Andrew's Church
Scheduled monument · ~1 miles
Round barrow on East Harling Heath
Scheduled monument · ~2.4 miles
Thorpe Harling Medieval Settlement
Scheduled monument · ~2.6 miles
Tumuli on West Harling Heath
Scheduled monument · ~2.7 miles
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