BattlefieldsSiege and Battle of Sceaftesege (Shaftesbury area, 877)
Early Medieval

Siege and Battle of Sceaftesege (Shaftesbury area, 877)

877
Dorset, England
Also known as: Guthrum at Shaftesbury 877
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Dorset, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
West Saxons
Forces
West Saxon defenders c. 800–1,500.
VS
Victor
Danes (occupation)
Forces
Guthrum's forces c. 2,000–3,500
Outcome
Danes occupied Dorset and part of Wiltshire; half of Mercia also seized
The Battle

History & Significance

After leaving Wareham and before their surprise attack on Chippenham, Guthrum's army moved through Dorset and overwintered, seizing about a third of Mercia. The Chronicle records that half the Mercian army was divided to settle in that portion. The gradual encirclement of Alfred's Wessex from north (Chippenham), west (Exeter), and now the occupied southeast Midlands shows the sophisticated strategic planning of the Danish command.

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