BattlefieldsDanish Army Raids through Hampshire 1001
Early Medieval

Danish Army Raids through Hampshire 1001

1001
Hampshire, England
Also known as: Hampshire Viking Raid 1001
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Hampshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Hampshire
Forces
Hampshire militia & fyrd: c. 1,500–2,500.
VS
Victor
Danish raiders
Forces
Danish army: c. 3,000–5,000
Outcome
Hampshire extensively plundered; English forces at Dean and Sherfield defeated; Danish army withdrew with plunder after systematic devastation
The Battle

History & Significance

A large Danish army ravaged Hampshire systematically in 1001, combining with the siege of Exeter and Dartmouth raids to make it one of the worst years of the Second Viking Age. The Chronicle records fighting at Dean, near Basingstoke, and at Sherfield. Many English thegns were killed trying to intercept the Danes. The Hampshire devastation contributed to the political pressure that produced the Danegeld payment of 24,000 pounds in 1002.

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