BattlefieldsBattle of Buttington
Early Medieval

Battle of Buttington

893
Shropshire, England
Also known as: Battle of Buttington Tump 893 · Siege of Buttington
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Shropshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Vikings (Hastein)
VS
Victor
Anglo-Welsh alliance (Aethelred of Mercia)
Outcome
Anglo-Welsh victory; Viking army broken out and routed; Buttington Oak planted to commemorate
The Battle

History & Significance

A major battle on the Upper Severn at Buttington (near Welshpool) in which a joint Anglo-Saxon and Welsh army besieged a Viking force that had fortified itself against the riverbank. After weeks of starvation the Vikings broke out and were defeated in open battle. This is one of the few recorded instances of Welsh kings fighting alongside English kings against a common enemy. The Buttington Oak, said to have been planted to mark the victory, survived until 2018. A remarkable moment of cooperation across the usual Welsh-English divide.

Casualties & Losses

Heavy Viking losses; many drowned

Forces Involved

Anglo-Welsh alliance: c. 4,000–5,000. Vikings: c. 2,500–3,500.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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