Battlefields›Isle of Wight Norse Base 998
Early Medieval

Isle of Wight Norse Base 998

998
Isle of Wight, England
Also known as: Danes use Isle of Wight as base 998 · Viking winter base Wight 998
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Isle of Wight, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Isle of Wight inhabitants
Forces
Isle of Wight inhabitants & garrison (c. 400–800).
VS
Victor
Norse fleet
Forces
Norse fleet: c. 15–25 ships (c. 1,500–2,500)
Outcome
Island used as overwintering and supply base for raids on the mainland
The Battle

History & Significance

The Norse use of the Isle of Wight as an operational base in 998 mirrored the earlier Thanet strategy and allowed raiders to strike at will along the south coast of Hampshire and West Sussex.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Isle of Wight Norse Base 998

Bowl barrow on St Catherine's Down, 680m north of lighthouse on St Catherine's Hill
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Bowl barrow, lime kiln, and a medieval lighthouse forming the west tower of an oratory, all set within a medieval enclosure on St Catherine's Hill
Scheduled monument · ~0.5 miles
Bowl barrow 600m north west of Ladyacre Farm
Scheduled monument · ~0.5 miles
Medieval settlement remains and moated site at Stenbury Manor
Scheduled monument · ~2 miles
Bowl barrow 600m south east of Week Farm: part of a round barrow cemetery on Week Down
Scheduled monument · ~2.8 miles
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455
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Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
450
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