Battlefields›Peterborough Monastery Norse Sack 870
Early Medieval

Peterborough Monastery Norse Sack 870

870
Cambridgeshire, England
Also known as: Danes sack Medeshamstede 870 · Viking destruction of Peterborough abbey 870
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Cambridgeshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Peterborough monastery
Forces
Monastery garrison c.50–150.
VS
Victor
Danish Great Army
Forces
Danish Great Army c.500–1,500
Outcome
Monastery sacked and burned; monks killed; abbey lay desolate for over a century
The Battle

History & Significance

The Danish destruction of the great monastery of Medeshamstede (Peterborough) in 870 and slaughter of its monks left one of England finest religious houses in ruins for over a century.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Peterborough Monastery Norse Sack 870

Old Customs House
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Peterborough Cathedral Precincts, including Table Hall and Infirmary Arcade
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Touthill and site of castle bailey
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Stanground churchyard cross
Scheduled monument · ~0.7 miles
Fletton churchyard cross
Scheduled monument · ~0.8 miles
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