BattlefieldsPortland First Viking Raid 789
Early Medieval

Portland First Viking Raid 789

789
England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Kingdom of Wessex
Forces
reeve Beaduheard and companions
VS
Victor
Norse raiders
Forces
Norse ships crew
Outcome
Royal reeve killed; Viking ships depart; no organised defence
The Battle

History & Significance

Three Norse ships landed at Portland and the royal reeve Beaduheard rode out believing them to be traders; he was killed when he attempted to direct them to the royal estate, in what the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records as the first Viking attack on England.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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