BattlefieldsSweyn Forkbeard at Gainsborough and English Submissions 1013
Early Medieval

Sweyn Forkbeard at Gainsborough and English Submissions 1013

1013
Lincolnshire, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Lincolnshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Aethelred and England
Forces
English resistance c. 5,000–10,000.
VS
Victor
Sweyn Forkbeard
Forces
Sweyn c. 10,000–15,000
Outcome
Sweyn received submissions from all England north of Watling Street and then the south; Aethelred fled to Normandy; Sweyn recognised as king; died suddenly at Gainsborough
The Battle

History & Significance

Sweyn Forkbeard's invasion of 1013 was systematic and successful. Landing in the Humber, he established his base at Gainsborough and received the submission of Northumbria and the Five Boroughs immediately. He then moved south receiving submissions progressively including Oxford, Winchester, and Bath before besieging London. Aethelred fled to Normandy. Sweyn was accepted as King of England but died at Gainsborough in February 1014 after only five weeks as king.

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