Battlefields›Swein Forkbeard at Exeter 1003
Early Medieval

Swein Forkbeard at Exeter 1003

1003
Devon, England
Also known as: Danes sack Exeter 1003 · Swein takes Exeter 1003
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Devon, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Exeter English
Forces
Exeter English: c.500–1,000.
VS
Victor
Swein Forkbeard
Forces
Swein Forkbeard: c.3,000–5,000
Outcome
City taken through treachery of a Norman reeve; burned and plundered
The Battle

History & Significance

Swein capture of Exeter in 1003 through the treachery of a Norman reeve appointed by Aethelred wife Emma of Normandy intensified English suspicion of the Norman alliance and embarrassed the king.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Swein Forkbeard at Exeter 1003

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
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