Battlefields›Battle of Wareham (Siege)
Early Medieval

Battle of Wareham (Siege)

876
Dorset, England
Also known as: Siege of Wareham 876
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Dorset, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Neither
Forces
Alfred's forces c. 2,000–3,500.
VS
Victor
Negotiated (Alfred bought peace)
Forces
Danes c. 2,000–4,000
Outcome
Danes swore oaths on sacred ring then broke them; slipped away to Exeter
The Battle

History & Significance

A large Danish army seized Wareham in Dorset, the first time Vikings had taken a fortified town in Wessex. Alfred blockaded them by land. The Danes swore peace oaths on a sacred ring (their most sacred oath-form) and then broke them — a breach that scandalized even Viking contemporaries. They slipped away to Exeter by night. A Danish relief fleet was wrecked in a storm off Swanage, drowning 120 ships. Alfred's blockade and the storm effectively neutralised this army.

Casualties & Losses

Danish relief fleet destroyed in storm off Swanage with great loss

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Wareham (Siege)

Bowl barrow at the eastern end of Stonehill Down, 270m SSW of East Creech Farm
Scheduled monument · ~3.5 miles
Oval barrow at the western end of Stonehill Down, 800m south west of East Creech Farm
Scheduled monument · ~3.6 miles
Cross dyke on Knowle Hill, 470m SSE of East Creech Farm
Scheduled monument · ~3.6 miles
Cross dyke on Knowle Hill, 430m south of East Creech Farm
Scheduled monument · ~3.6 miles
Hilltop enclosure and a pillow mound on Knowle Hill
Scheduled monument · ~3.6 miles
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