BattlefieldsThorkell the Tall Joins English Service 1012
Early Medieval

Thorkell the Tall Joins English Service 1012

1012
Kent, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Not applicable
Forces
Aethelred's English forces c. 2,000–4,000.
VS
Victor
Aethelred (temporary)
Forces
Thorkell c. 3,000–5,000 warriors
Outcome
Thorkell defected to English service with 45 ships; gave Aethelred temporary military boost; Thorkell later served Cnut
The Battle

History & Significance

After the murder of Archbishop Alphege at Greenwich in 1012, Thorkell the Tall, who had reportedly tried to protect Alphege, switched sides and entered the service of King Aethelred with 45 ships. This was a dramatic defection: one of the leading Danish commanders of the Second Viking Age became an English mercenary. Thorkell subsequently fought for Aethelred and then for Cnut, serving as regent of Denmark.

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