Battlefields›Siege of Exeter by Sweyn Forkbeard
Early Medieval

Siege of Exeter by Sweyn Forkbeard

1003
Devon, England
Also known as: Sweyn takes Exeter 1003 · Exeter sacked 1003
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Devon, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Exeter
Forces
Exeter garrison: c.500–1,000.
VS
Victor
Sweyn Forkbeard (Danish)
Forces
Sweyn Forkbeard: c.3,000–5,000
Outcome
City taken and sacked; traitor Hugh opened gates; Sweyn destroys the walls
The Battle

History & Significance

Sweyn Forkbeard sacked Exeter in 1003 after a Norman reeve opened the gates; the city was devastated and its walls torn down.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Siege of Exeter by Sweyn Forkbeard

Roman, Anglo Saxon and medieval defences called collectively Exeter City Walls
Scheduled monument · ~0 miles
Part of the Roman town of Exeter, beneath Cathedral Green
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Law Library, Cathedral Yard
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Bomb damaged remains of St Catherine's Almshouses and chapel and adjacent canon's house, 140m north of the Cathedral
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Underground passages
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
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