Battlefields›Battle of Ashdown 871
Early Medieval

Battle of Ashdown 871

871
Oxfordshire, England
Also known as: Aescesdun 871 · Alfred at Ashdown
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Oxfordshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Great Heathen Army (Bagsecg and earls)
Forces
Danish Great Army in two divisions
VS
Victor
West Saxons (Alfred and Aethelred)
Forces
West Saxon royal army divided into two commands
Outcome
Danish king Bagsecg and five earls killed; Danes driven back but not broken
The Battle

History & Significance

The Battle of Ashdown on the Berkshire Downs on 8 January 871 was the greatest West Saxon victory of the year-long Danish campaigns. Prince Alfred (not yet king) attacked uphill when his brother King Aethelred was still at prayer. The Danish king Bagsecg and five great earls were killed. The victory was incomplete — within a fortnight the Danes had won at Basing and Meretun — but Ashdown showed that the Danish army could be beaten in open field. Alfred's personal role in the battle burnished his later reputation.

Casualties & Losses

King Bagsecg and five Danish jarls killed; heavy Danish losses

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Ashdown 871

Bockhampton deserted medieval village
Scheduled monument · ~1 miles
Lambourn Cross
Scheduled monument · ~1.4 miles
Mere End Down Romano-British field system
Scheduled monument · ~2.5 miles
Whatcombe deserted medieval village
Scheduled monument · ~2.8 miles
Mere End Down disc barrow
Scheduled monument · ~2.8 miles
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