Battlefields›Devon and Cornwall Viking Raids 997
Early Medieval

Devon and Cornwall Viking Raids 997

997
Devon, England
Also known as: Norse raids Devon Cornwall 997 · Viking campaign south-west 997
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Devon, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Devon and Cornwall coastal communities
Forces
Devon & Cornwall militia & fyrd (c. 1,500–3,000).
VS
Victor
Norse raiders
Forces
Norse raiders: c. 25–40 ships (c. 2,500–4,000)
Outcome
Widespread plundering from the Tamar estuary through Devon
The Battle

History & Significance

The 997 Norse sweep through Devon and Cornwall after striking Kent demonstrated the fleet mobility that made Aethelred response perpetually reactive and ineffective.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Devon and Cornwall Viking Raids 997

Medieval bridge and part of a late medieval conduit under Holloway Street
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Hall of the Vicars Choral, South Street
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Roman baths (site of), The Deanery
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Part of the Roman town of Exeter, beneath Cathedral Green
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Law Library, Cathedral Yard
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
More from this era

Other Early Medieval Battles

Battle of Crecganford
456
Kent, England
Battle of Aylesford
455
Kent, England
Jutish Revolt — Battle at Aegelesthrep (Aylesford approach)
455
Kent, England
Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
450
Yorkshire, England
Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Devon

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 Devon
All Battlefields