BattlefieldsHaesten Raids up the Thames 893
Early Medieval

Haesten Raids up the Thames 893

893
Essex, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Essex, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English countryside
Forces
English garrisons; deep inland raiding campaign.
VS
Victor
Haesten
Forces
c.2,000–3,000 Haesten's army
Outcome
Haesten raided without decisive English response; treaty made and broken; Haesten continued operations until Benfleet was stormed
The Battle

History & Significance

In 893, Haesten led his army from Milton Regis up the Thames and into Mersea, raiding deep into English territory. Alfred shadowed the Danes. Haesten received a hostage exchange treaty from Alfred and had his sons baptised with Alfred and Aethelred of Mercia as godfathers. Haesten then broke the treaty almost immediately and continued raiding, making him one of the most notorious oath-breakers recorded in the Chronicle.

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