BattlefieldsViking Capture of Nottingham
Early Medieval

Viking Capture of Nottingham

868
Nottinghamshire, England
Also known as: Danish Occupation of Snotingaham 868
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Nottinghamshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Mercia / Northumbria
Forces
Mercian-Northumbrian garrison c. 2,000–3,000.
VS
Victor
Danes (Great Heathen Army)
Forces
Great Heathen Army c. 4,000–6,000
Outcome
Danes wintered in Nottingham; Mercians could not retake it; peace made
The Battle

History & Significance

The Great Heathen Army — which had already destroyed Northumbria — moved to Nottingham in 868. The combined Mercian and West Saxon armies (including the future Alfred the Great) gathered to besiege it but could not take the fortified Danish position. A humiliating peace was made. This is the first recorded major Viking presence in the Midlands and marks Nottingham's strategic importance on the Trent. The Danes returned to York for the winter.

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