BattlefieldsHalfdan Ravages the Tyne and Wear 875
Early Medieval

Halfdan Ravages the Tyne and Wear 875

875
Northumberland, England
Also known as: Halfdan Ravages Northumbria 875
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Northumbrian Anglian population
Forces
scattered Northumbrian Anglian militia.
VS
Victor
Halfdan
Forces
c. 2,500–3,500 Halfdan's force
Outcome
Tyne and Wear regions devastated; Hexham and riverside monasteries sacked; Northumbrian Anglian population subjugated; land allocation to Danish warriors followed the next year
The Battle

History & Significance

While the southern division of the Great Army under Guthrum operated in Wessex, Halfdan led the northern division back to Northumbria and ravaged across the Tyne and Wear regions. The Chronicle records Halfdan fought against the Picts and the Strathclyde Welsh. Monasteries at Hexham and along the Tyne valley were attacked. This systematic devastation preceded the formal partition of Northumbrian land among the Danish warriors.

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