BattlefieldsViking Raid on Cornwall and Devon (997)
Early Medieval

Viking Raid on Cornwall and Devon (997)

997
Devon, England
Also known as: Danish raids on Cornwall 997
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Devon, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Cornish and Devon English
Forces
Cornish & Devon English: combined fyrd (c. 1,500–3,000).
VS
Victor
Vikings
Forces
Vikings: c. 20–40 ships (c. 2,000–4,000)
Outcome
Southwest England ravaged; Lydford and Tavistock attacked
The Battle

History & Significance

After the payment of £16,000 Danegeld in 994 failed to deter raiding, Danish fleets resumed their attacks. In 997 a fleet ravaged Cornwall, Devon, and Wales, attacking Lydford (a royal burh) and burning Tavistock Abbey. The Chronicle records these raids in increasing detail as a portrait of England's inability to coordinate defence. The attacks on Alfred's burh network showed the system's limitations when the political will to man and maintain them was absent.

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