Battlefields›Viking Raid on Portland 789
Early Medieval

Viking Raid on Portland 789

789
Dorset, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Dorset, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royal reeve Beaduheard
Forces
Beaduheard: c. 150–300 Norse vs English royal reeve.
VS
Victor
Viking raiders
Forces
Vikings (3 ships)
Outcome
Royal reeve killed; first recorded Viking raid in England
The Battle

History & Significance

The killing of Beaduheard at Portland was the first recorded Viking raid in England; three ships arrived and the reeve rode to meet them thinking they were merchants, only to be killed.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Viking Raid on Portland 789

Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery (P3 Verne), 275m south-west of Fancy's Farm
Scheduled monument · ~0.8 miles
RAF Portland, site of Rotor early warning radar station
Scheduled monument · ~1 miles
The Verne Citadel
Scheduled monument · ~1 miles
Rufus Castle
Scheduled monument · ~1.2 miles
East Weare rifle range
Scheduled monument · ~1.3 miles
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Battle of Aylesford
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455
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Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
450
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