BattlefieldsDanish Raids on Suffolk Coast 1003-1004
Early Medieval

Danish Raids on Suffolk Coast 1003-1004

1004
Suffolk, England
Also known as: Sweyn Forkbeard Suffolk 1004 · Danish Raid on Thetford 1004
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Suffolk, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
East Anglian population
VS
Victor
Vikings
Outcome
Thetford and Norwich burned; Ulfketel ambushed Danish retreat with partial success
The Battle

History & Significance

In 1004, Sweyn Forkbeard\'s Danish fleet raided deep into East Anglia, burning Norwich and then Thetford. Ulfketel Snilling assembled an army hastily and ambushed the Danes as they returned to their ships, inflicting significant losses and nearly capturing the Danish fleet. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that the Danes themselves said they never met harder hand-strokes in England. Ulfketel\'s action was the most successful English resistance of the period, though the Danes escaped with their plunder.

Forces Involved

Danish: Sweyn Forkbeard\'s fleet. English: Ulfketel Snilling\'s East Anglian levy — hastily assembled

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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