BattlefieldsEdward Builds Towcester Burh 917
Early Medieval

Edward Builds Towcester Burh 917

917
Northamptonshire, England
Also known as: Towcester Burh 917 · Edward Towcester
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Northamptonshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Danes
Forces
Danish forces from Northampton
VS
Victor
Edward the Elder
Forces
West Saxon royal army and builders
Outcome
Towcester fortified with stone wall; Danish attack repelled; Northampton Danes submit
The Battle

History & Significance

The Chronicle records Edward fortified Towcester with a stone wall in 917 and it was immediately attacked by Danish forces from Northampton and the Fens who besieged it but were repelled. Shortly after, the Danes of Northampton and everything north of the Welland submitted to Edward. Towcester, built on the Roman road of Watling Street, was a key position in the advance into the East Midlands and its stone wall was unusual for a burh of this date.

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