BattlefieldsDanish Army Winters at Thetford and Destroys East Anglia 869
Early Medieval

Danish Army Winters at Thetford and Destroys East Anglia 869

869
Norfolk, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Norfolk, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
East Anglia
Forces
East Anglian forces c. 2,000–3,000.
VS
Victor
Great Heathen Army
Forces
Great Heathen Army c. 4,000–6,000
Outcome
East Anglian army defeated; Thetford royal centre occupied; East Anglia conquered; Edmund martyred
The Battle

History & Significance

The Great Heathen Army established its winter camp at Thetford, the main East Anglian royal centre. From Thetford the Danes launched operations against King Edmund. Edmund attempted to resist but his army was destroyed. The capture and execution of a reigning Christian king - later Saint Edmund - was the most dramatic single act of the Viking conquest of the Midlands.

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