BattlefieldsAlfred Recaptures London and Restores It to Mercia 886
Early Medieval

Alfred Recaptures London and Restores It to Mercia 886

886
Greater London, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Greater London, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Danish garrison
Forces
c.500–1,000 Danish garrison; siege of London.
VS
Victor
Alfred
Forces
c.1,500–2,500 Alfredian forces
Outcome
London recovered from Danish control; city given to Aethelred of Mercia; all the English not under Danish rule submitted to Alfred
The Battle

History & Significance

Alfred captured London in 886, the first time an English king had held the city since the Danish sack of 851. He restored London honourably and gave it into the keeping of Aethelred ealdorman of Mercia. London was the most important trading city in England and its recovery demonstrated Alfred's growing strength. The Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum formalising the Danelaw boundary followed shortly after.

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