BattlefieldsDanes Raid Hereford Area 914
Early Medieval

Danes Raid Hereford Area 914

914
Herefordshire, England
Also known as: Hereford Danish Raid 914 · Norse Raid from Brittany 914
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Herefordshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Norse and Bretons
Forces
English forces from Hereford and Gloucester
VS
Victor
English (partial)
Forces
Norse and Breton pirate fleet
Outcome
Norse and Breton force raids the Severn; Bishop Cyfeiliog captured and ransomed; English army drives raiders back to ships
The Battle

History & Significance

The Chronicle records a large fleet of Norse and Breton pirates arrived from Brittany and raided around the Severn estuary in 914, entering the Usk and capturing Bishop Cyfeiliog of Archenfield for ransom. Edward sent forces from Hereford and Gloucester that drove the raiders back to their ships. The episode showed the continuing threat from Irish Sea Norse even during the main English advance against the Danelaw, and the need to defend the western coasts as well as the north.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Herefordshire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Herefordshire